| Age Category | Performance Time Limit | Registration Fee (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| 7–10 years old | 15 minutes | $90 |
| 11–14 years old | 20 minutes | $110 |
| 15–18 years old | 30 minutes | $125 |
| 19–28 years old | 40 minutes | $140 |
Fees are charged per registration. For Piano Duet and Chamber Music, one registration covers the full ensemble.
2027 Registration Window
Registration opens Dec. 1, 2026 and closes Jan. 22, 2027.
For payment methods, financial assistance, and late-registration information, see Fees.
Pathways Recital Requirements
- The Pathways recital program must include two or more contrasting works showcasing various tempi and stylistic periods.
- For Pathways purposes, one work may consist of a single movement, multiple movements, a complete work, or selected movements from a larger work. Two or more movements from the same larger work still count as one work.
- One Classical work must be included.
- Only works written for piano four hands (one piano) are permitted.
- Memorization is not required; performers may use scores.
Rules
Participants are responsible for reviewing the General Rules & Regulations before registering. Those rules apply in addition to the discipline-specific requirements below.
- Age category is determined by the oldest member of the duet.
- Time limits will be strictly enforced. Performances exceeding the time limit may be stopped.
- Scores for works composed in 1956 or later must be submitted at the time of registration.
- Participants requiring special setup or accessibility accommodations must provide the details during registration so arrangements can be made in advance. Examples include a duet bench, pedal extension, or piano setup.
- Changes to the proposed program will be accepted until Feb. 7, 2027. No repertoire changes will be accepted after this date.
Please review the FAQ for answers to other common questions.
Pathways to CMC National Finals and AMFA Provincials
One Pathways performance may be considered for advancement to the CMC National Finals, recommendation to AMFA Provincials, or both, provided the participant meets each organization’s separate requirements.
Canadian Music Competition (CMC) National Finals
- CMC age categories are 7–10, 11–14, 15–18, and 19–25. One member may be up to one year older than the applicable age category.
- For Piano Duet, repertoire performed at the CMC National Finals must differ from repertoire performed at Pathways. Different movements or different pieces from the same larger work or collection are acceptable, provided no movement or piece is repeated.
- Duets seeking CMC National Finals consideration must identify during Pathways registration the repertoire they intend to perform at the CMC National Finals.
- Enter one or more complete works, or at least two contrasting movements. List movements from the same work together as one repertoire selection.
- CMC performance time limits are strictly enforced.
- Memorization is not required for piano four-hands/piano duet participants; performers may use scores.
- CMC National Finals repertoire cannot be changed after the CMC National Finals registration is submitted.
CMC National Finals Maximum Performance Times
| Age category | Maximum time |
|---|---|
| 7–10 years old | 15 minutes |
| 11–14 years old | 20 minutes |
| 15–18 years old | 25 minutes |
| 19–25 years old | 30 minutes |
Please review the dedicated CMC National Finals page for complete current eligibility and repertoire requirements.
AMFA Provincials
- AMFA Provincials Piano Duet by Age classes are available to duets whose members are all 28 years of age or younger. Review the dedicated AMFA Provincials page for current eligibility requirements.
- For AMFA Provincials, the duet performs one selection only. It must be a work or movement already performed and adjudicated at Pathways; a new selection cannot be substituted.
- Age is determined by the oldest member of the duet.
- AMFA Provincials require piano duet selections to be performed from memory, even though memorization is not required at Pathways or at the CMC National Finals.
AMFA Provincials Piano Duet by Age Requirements
- View Appendix B: Provincial Festival Rules & Classes (opens in a new tab)
- Open AMFA Piano Duet by Age classes (opens in a new tab)
- Open AMFA Provincial Festival Rules (opens in a new tab)
| AMFA Provincials Age Category | Selections | Time Limit | Memorization |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 and under | One selection | 5 minutes | Required |
| 14–28 | One selection | 10 minutes | Required |
Participants older than 28 may participate in Pathways with a teacher’s recommendation but are not eligible for CMC or AMFA advancement.
Questions or special requests?
Contact Pathways at info@pathwaysprogram.ca.
Source Note: CMC and AMFA information on this page is based on the official 2026 sources and must be revalidated against the 2027 rules before launch. Current official rules govern if they differ.