What is AMFA?
AMFA is the Alberta Music Festival Association, which runs AMFA Provincials. Pathways is an AMFA Local Member Festival.
Possible recommendation to AMFA Provincials
Participants register for Pathways to perform and receive an adjudication. Following the performance, a clinician may recommend an exceptional participant to AMFA Provincials. A recommendation is not expected or guaranteed. If recommended, Pathways will confirm the applicable AMFA requirements and manage the registration process.
If recommended, the participant must meet the applicable AMFA class, repertoire and memorization requirements, so entrants should review the relevant rules before performing at Pathways.
Check the AMFA requirements for your discipline
The AMFA syllabus contains rules and classes for many disciplines. Use the guide below to find the Provincial Festival section that applies to your Pathways registration.
| Pathways discipline | AMFA Provincials section | Applicable AMFA Provincial classes | Official section |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piano | Provincial Piano by Age | Age route—not Piano by Grade 10 and under — Grade 3 minimum (Class 701) 13 and under — Grade 5 minimum (Class 702) 15 and under (Class 703) 17 and under (Class 704) 28 and under (Class 705) | Open Piano by Age classes (opens in a new tab) |
| Piano Duet | Provincial Piano Duet by Age | Category is based on the oldest duet member 13 and under (Class 791) 14 and over (Class 792) | Open Piano Duet by Age classes (opens in a new tab) |
| Strings | Provincial Strings | Violin/Viola 13 and under (301) 15 and under (302) 17 and under (303) 28 and under (304) Cello/Bass 13 and under (311) 15 and under (312) 17 and under (313) 28 and under (314) | Open Provincial Strings classes (opens in a new tab) |
| Woodwinds & Brass | Provincial Woodwind Provincial Brass | Woodwinds 17 and under (402) 28 and under (403) Brass 17 and under (502) 28 and under (503) | Open Woodwind classes (opens in a new tab) Open Brass classes (opens in a new tab) |
| Guitar | Provincial Classical Guitar | 13 and under (381) 17 and under (382) 28 and under (383) | Open Classical Guitar classes (opens in a new tab) |
| Chamber Music | Provincial Chamber | Category is based on the oldest member 17 and under (182) 28 and under (183) | Open Provincial Chamber classes (opens in a new tab) |
- Open AMFA Provincial Festival Rules (opens in a new tab)
- View Appendix B: Provincial Festival Rules & Classes (opens in a new tab)
The current guide uses the official 2026 AMFA syllabus available during preparation. The official 2027 AMFA syllabus will govern Pathways 2027 recommendations and will be rechecked when published.
Who is eligible?
To be eligible for recommendation to AMFA Provincials through Pathways, participants must:
- perform at Pathways with a program that meets the applicable AMFA Provincial class and repertoire requirements;
- meet AMFA’s current age and residence or study requirements; and
- receive a clinician recommendation.
A participant must ordinarily have their residence or family home in Alberta or the Northwest Territories. A participant who lives elsewhere may qualify if they studied in the relevant discipline for at least six months during the previous year with a teacher who resides in Alberta or the Northwest Territories. AMFA states that this includes lessons delivered online or by other electronic means.
These requirements apply specifically to AMFA Provincials and do not change the separate eligibility requirements for participating in Pathways.
Pathways AMFA Provincials routes
Pathways supports consideration in Piano by Age, Piano Duet, Strings, Woodwind, Brass, Classical Guitar, and Chamber Music. Guitar registration is not yet available.
Repertoire and memorization
AMFA repertoire requirements vary by class. Most applicable AMFA Provincial classes require two selections; Piano Duet requires one. All repertoire performed at AMFA Provincials must first have been performed and adjudicated at Pathways.
At AMFA Provincials, most solo and duet selections must be performed from memory. Chamber Music may use scores. Review the applicable class and the Provincial Festival Rules before registering for Pathways.
How recommendation and registration work
- Register for and perform at Pathways.
- Meet the applicable AMFA eligibility, class, repertoire, and memorization requirements.
- A clinician may recommend the participant after the Pathways performance.
- Pathways handles the AMFA Provincials registration process for participants who are recommended.
2027 AMFA Provincials dates and location
To be announced.
Further advancement
Some AMFA Provincials winners may also be considered for recommendation to the Canada West Performing Arts Festival when the class and repertoire are eligible. Canada West is a separate event with its own requirements.