OMEA Brand Standards
Supporting Quality Music Education for ALL
Logo System
The OMEA treble clef logo represents over a century of music education excellence in Ontario. Our iconic mark combines musical heritage with modern accessibility, serving educators, students, donors, and partners across the province.
Do This
- Maintain clear space around logo equal to the circle diameter
- Use full lockup whenever space permits
- Ensure sufficient colour contrast against backgrounds
- Scale proportionally without distortion
- Use provided file formats (SVG, PNG)
- Test logo legibility at minimum sizes
Do Not Do This
- Never recreate or alter logo proportions
- Do not apply drop shadows, gradients, or effects
- Do not rotate or angle the logo
- Never change the brand colours
- Do not place on busy or low-contrast backgrounds
- Avoid stretching, squishing, or distorting
Tagline Usage
Primary Tagline: Supporting Quality Music Education for ALL
Use the tagline in website headers, print materials, and official communications. The tagline should appear in Inter Regular or Montserrat Medium, never in all caps. Maintain consistent spacing between logo and tagline.
Typography
Our modernized typography system pairs Inter for exceptional readability with Montserrat for impactful headlines. This combination delivers professional clarity across all digital platforms while supporting bilingual content (English and French).
Website Typography Hierarchy
Colour Palettes
Four audience-specific palettes maintain brand consistency through our signature blue (#2a537d) while tailoring accent colours to meet the unique needs of educators, students, donors, and partners.
Our Colour Strategy
Primary Blue (#2a537d) anchors all four palettes, ensuring brand recognition across every touchpoint. Accent colours shift to match audience expectations: professional and resourceful for educators, energetic for students, impact-focused for donors, results-driven for partners. All colours meet WCAG accessibility standards.
Website Application Examples
Website Application Examples
Website Application Examples
Website Application Examples
Tone of Voice
OMEA speaks with professional authority while maintaining warmth and accessibility. We inspire educators, celebrate students, thank donors, and engage partners with confidence, clarity, and genuine care for music education.
Writing Guidelines for Website Content
✓ Do This
- Use active voice: "We provide resources"
- Be specific: "Join 2,700 music educators"
- Lead with benefits: "Access 500+ lesson plans"
- Use inclusive language: "student with hearing loss"
- Write short sentences (15-20 words)
✗ Avoid This
- Passive voice: "Resources are provided"
- Vague claims: "Many music teachers trust us"
- Feature-first: "We have an annual conference"
- Labels: "deaf student" (use person-first)
- Long, complex sentences
Organizational Talking Points
Use these pre-approved descriptions when introducing OMEA on the website. Each version is tailored to a specific audience while maintaining our core mission and values.
General Use
HOMEPAGE • ABOUT PAGE"The Ontario Music Educators' Association is the professional home for music educators across the province. We provide resources, advocacy, and community that strengthen music programs and elevate teaching practice. Supporting quality music education for ALL."
Educators
EDUCATOR LANDING PAGE"OMEA is your trusted professional home, providing essential resources, advocacy, and community that elevate your teaching practice. Join 2,700 music educators accessing evidence-based classroom materials, professional development, and collective voice to strengthen music programs across Ontario."
Students
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES"OMEA creates pathways for young musicians to connect, compete, and grow. Through provincial festivals, honour ensembles, and performance opportunities, we celebrate excellence and help you build lifelong musical identity alongside talented peers from across Ontario."
Donors
GIVING PAGE • IMPACT"Your support transforms lives through music education. OMEA channels philanthropic investment into programs ensuring every Ontario student, regardless of background or ability, has access to quality music learning experiences that build confidence, creativity, and community."
Partners and Sponsors
PARTNERSHIP PAGE"OMEA connects music industry leaders with Canada's largest community of music educators. Through partnership, access 2,700 professionals who shape music education purchasing decisions, program development, and teaching innovation across Ontario's schools."
Content Guidelines by Audience
Tailor website content to each audience's needs while maintaining consistent brand voice. These examples demonstrate how tone, focus, and messaging adapt across educator, student, donor, and partner pages.
Educators
Focus: Professional value, practical resources, peer community
Tone: Collegial authority, supportive, evidence-based
Educator Landing Page Hero
Headline: Your Professional Home for Music Education Excellence
Subhead: Resources, advocacy, and community to strengthen your teaching practice
Join 2,700 Ontario music educators accessing classroom-ready lesson plans, professional development, and collective voice. OMEA provides the tools and support you need to build thriving music programs.
CTA: Explore Member Benefits
Resource Section Introduction
Section Header: Classroom Resources
Access over 500 teaching resources developed by experienced music educators. From lesson plans to assessment tools, find evidence-based materials that save preparation time and enhance student learning.
Filter Options: Grade Level • Instrument • Topic • Resource Type
CTA: Browse All Resources
Students
Focus: Opportunities, achievement, peer connection
Tone: Energetic, celebratory, inspiring, action-oriented
Festival Page Hero
Headline: Showcase Your Talent at Provincial Festival
Subhead: Compete, perform, and connect with young musicians from across Ontario
Over 500 students participate each year in OMEA festivals. Whether you play piano, sing in choir, or perform in concert band, festival provides the stage to demonstrate your skills and receive expert feedback.
Key Details: Registration Deadline: March 15 • Audition Dates: April 1-30 • Provincial Finals: May 20
CTA: Register Now
Honour Ensemble Page
Section Header: Join OMEA Honour Ensembles
Perform alongside Ontario's top student musicians in choir, concert band, or jazz ensemble. Honour ensembles offer intensive rehearsals, masterclasses with professional musicians, and showcase performances at Harmony Conference.
What to Expect: Three-day intensive rehearsal • Professional conductor • Final performance for 800+ educators
CTA: View Audition Requirements
Donors
Focus: Impact stories, tangible outcomes, gratitude, transformation
Tone: Warm appreciation, results-oriented, human-centred
Giving Page Hero
Headline: Music Education Changes Lives
Subhead: Your support ensures every Ontario student has access to quality music learning
When you invest in OMEA, you invest in students discovering confidence through performance, teachers strengthening their practice, and communities building connection through music.
Your Impact: $50 provides classroom resources for 10 students • $250 sponsors festival participation for underserved schools • $1,000 funds professional development workshops
CTA: Make a Donation
Impact Story
Story Title: From 30 to 150 Students: How Your Support Built a Music Program
"Five years ago, our school had one part-time music teacher and 30 students in band. Thanks to OMEA resources and professional development funded by donors like you, our program now serves 150 students across concert band, choir, and strings."
— Sarah Chen, Music Teacher, Brampton
Your donation makes stories like Sarah's possible across Ontario.
CTA: Support Music Education Today
Partners and Sponsors
Focus: Reach metrics, professional value proposition, mutual benefit
Tone: Professional, data-informed, collaborative, results-driven
Partnership Page Hero
Headline: Connect with Ontario's Music Education Community
Subhead: Reach 2,700 music educators through strategic partnership with OMEA
OMEA partnerships provide direct access to Canada's largest community of music teachers. Showcase your products and services to professionals who make purchasing decisions for school music programs across Ontario.
Partnership Opportunities: Conference Exhibition • Digital Advertising • Resource Sponsorship • Professional Development Support
CTA: Download Partnership Guide
Value Proposition Section
Section Header: Why Partner with OMEA
Targeted Reach: Access 2,700 music educators representing elementary, secondary, and post-secondary institutions
Decision Makers: Connect with professionals who influence $15M+ in annual music program spending
Year-Round Engagement: Brand visibility through website (50,000 annual visits), social media (5,000+ followers), and quarterly magazine (2,700 circulation)
Flagship Event: Harmony Conference attracts 800+ educators annually for three days of professional learning and networking
CTA: Schedule a Partnership Call
Accessibility Standards (AODA)
All OMEA website content must meet Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) standards. These requirements ensure our digital presence is accessible to every member of Ontario's music education community.
Colour and Contrast
- All text meets WCAG AA minimum (4.5:1 contrast ratio)
- Headers and large text meet WCAG AAA (7:1 contrast ratio)
- Never use colour alone to convey information
- Test all colour combinations before publishing
- Ensure sufficient contrast on background images
- Use colour badges shown in palette section as reference
Typography and Readability
- Minimum 16px body text for all web content
- Line spacing at least 1.5 times font size
- Never use ALL CAPS for body text or paragraphs
- Avoid justified text alignment (use left-align)
- Ensure text remains readable when zoomed to 200%
- Use responsive design that adapts to screen sizes
Website Structure
- Use proper heading hierarchy (H1, H2, H3) in order
- Provide descriptive alt text for all images
- Use semantic HTML5 elements (nav, main, article)
- Create descriptive link text (avoid "click here")
- Ensure keyboard navigation works throughout site
- Include skip-to-content links for screen readers
Language and Clarity
- Write at Grade 8 reading level when possible
- Use plain language and define technical terms
- Keep sentences under 20 words on average
- Use active voice and strong action verbs
- Provide content in alternative formats on request
- Support both English and French where applicable
Testing Tools and Resources
Contrast Checkers
- WebAIM Contrast Checker
- Colour Contrast Analyser (desktop app)
- Chrome DevTools Accessibility Inspector
Readability Tools
- Hemingway Editor (readability scoring)
- WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool
- Screen reader testing (NVDA, JAWS)
Accessibility Support
For accessibility concerns or requests for alternative formats, contact the OMEA Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion team at edi@omea.on.ca. We are committed to ensuring all members can fully access OMEA resources and website content.
Questions About Brand Standards?
Our team is here to help you implement OMEA brand standards effectively. Whether you need logo files, colour codes, or guidance on accessibility, we're just an email away.
Brand Standards
For logo files, colour codes, typography guidance, and general brand questions
Accessibility Support
For accessibility concerns, alternative formats, or AODA compliance questions
Brand Asset Resources
All brand assets including logo files, colour palettes, and typography are maintained by the Brand Asset Manager. Contact Chris Derrough for:
- ✓ Logo files (SVG, PNG formats)
- ✓ Colour palette codes (HEX, Pantone)
- ✓ Typography installation guides
- ✓ Brand implementation support
OMEA Brand Standards Guide
Version 2.0 • December 2025
Prepared by inSymmetry