2014/15 Registration Materials now available

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Registration for 2014/15 has now started.

In addition to our current course selections, we have a number of new courses to offer including Learning Mandarin Through Music and the Dal Richards’ School of Swing.

Download the new Handbook here. Download a registration form here.

How do I register?

  1. Download both the handbook and registration form to your computer.
  2. Flip through the handbook and find out which courses you would like to take.
  3. Fill out the registration form in its entirety, including your lesson and class information (Don’t have a teacher yet? Fill out a form here before you start.)
  4. Mail the form along with a cheque or come to the office and drop it off with complete payment (cash or cheque only please!)

And that’s it!

We also offer payment in installments. Come to the front desk for more details.

VAM Opera Studio presents: Suor Angelica & Gianni Schicchi

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2014
Media Contact: Samantha Quon
[email protected] | (604) 734-2301

VAM Opera Studio presents: Suor Angelica & Gianni Schicchi

VANCOUVER, BC  – The VAM Opera Studio, directed by David Meek, presents Giacomo Puccini’s beloved operas Suor Angelica & Gianni Schicchi.

Suor Angelica & Gianni Schicchi are one-act operas and are commonly performed together. This group of operas is also known as Il Trittico (The Triptych) when performed with another of Puccini’s operas known as Il tabarro.

Suor Angelica revolves around the story of Sister Angelica, who is part of a convent of nuns. Sister Angelica’s only desire is to hear from her family, whom she has not heard from in over seven years. One night, her aunt, the Princess, arrives with some unexpected news.

Based on Pietro Fanfani’s The Divine Comedy, Gianni Schicchi is the tale of a family who is out to get their dead relative’s fortune for themselves. They call upon the help of Gianni Schicchi, who has tricks of his own up his sleeve!

This production features up and coming opera stars such as Melissa Bideau and Dora Brooks double-cast as Angelica, Cathy Merkel and Lauren Solomon as Principessa, Lars Klotz and Jason Cook as Gianni, and Katrina Goh and Katrin Poemmerl as Lauretta. This production is directed by Jeanine Fynn and conducted by John Arsenault with musical accompaniment provided by members of the VAM Symphony Orchestra.

About the VAM Opera Studio: The Opera Studio is a pre-professional training program lead by David Meek, Head of Voice at the Vancouver Academy of Music. Made up of singers around the world, its purpose is to provide career-oriented singers with practical training and performance opportunities in Opera.  The Opera Studio presents a scene selections concert twice a year and a fully-staged opera production in Spring each year.

When: June 12, 13, 14 at 7:30 pm; June 15 at 2:00 pm
Where: Koerner Recital Hall at the Vancouver Academy of Music,1270 Chestnut Street
Tickets: $15 Adults/Seniors | Children under 18 free!

In Advance: www.vam.ca/events

Concert day – at Will Call one hour before the performance

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filed under: News

2014 Summer Camps: Register today!

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We are happy to finally announce the details for this year’s summer camps! This year, we are offering three different camps – see more details below!

Koerner Quartet String Seminar
July 7 to 11, 2014
Ages 12 to 18, RCM Grade 8 and above
$300
Increase your technique and bring your musicianship to the next level with this special one-week seminar hosted by the Koerner Quartet. Aimed for string players aged 12 to 18, this intensive camp will work on skills necessary to become a strong player, through chamber music, technique class, master classes and more! Check out the brochure and application form here.

Suzuki Summer Camp
July 21 to 25, 2014
Junior: Book 1 to 3; Intermediate: Book 4 and above
$150 per week with $25 registration fee
Improve your skills in a fun and musical environment in our Suzuki Summer Camp! Designed by VAM’s Suzuki Department Heads, this one-week, half-day camp is designed to enhance your child’s musical learning through fun activities such as group class, master classes and performances! Check out the full brochure and schedule here.

Junior DanceFest
Ages 4 to 8; no experience neccessary
July 7th to 11th, 8:30 am to 12:00 pm
$195

Senior DanceFest
Ages 9 and up; previous training required
July 14th to 18th OR July 21st to 25th, 8:30 am to 12:00 pm
$195

Standard Chartered Summer String Orchestra Camp at Haw Par SummerFest 2014
August 4 to 10, 2014
Ages 12 to 18, ABSRM/RCM Grade 7 and above (or equivalent); audition required
HKD $3,500 (approx. $437.50); bursaries available
Spend a week in Hong Kong with the Koerner Quartet and the Haw Par Mansion Foundation and get immersed in music in an international environment. Immerse yourself in Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons culminating in a concert at the state-of-the-art Yip Kit Chuen Concert Hall. Prepare your audition tapes and apply today!

Summer String Orchestra Camp Poster_v7_10 May 2014 (1)

Space for both of these camps are limited – we recommend signing your children up today! Download the forms and submit payment to the front desk (cash or cheque, exact change please).

2014 Jerold Gerbrecht Winds & Brass Competition Results

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On Sunday, May 18th, we held our 2nd annual Jerold Gerbrecht Winds & Brass Competition. Many thanks to our adjudicator, Benjamin Kinsman! The results are below:

Junior Category:

1st place: Nathaniel Lum, flute ($300)

Senior Category:

1st place: Andy Seonghyeon Kim, oboe ($300)
2nd place: Theophilus Ko, oboe ($200)
Evan Wendell, trumpet ($200)

Congratulations to our winners and participants!

2014 Kay Meek Competition Finalists

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This past Saturday, we hosted over 18 students for the 38th Annual Kay Meek Competition. Huge thanks to our adjudicator, Caroline Markos!

Finalists:

Saul Domingos-Morales
Tian Fei
Katrina Goh
Sa Rang (Diana) Kim
Albert Seo
Grace Sohn

Congratulations to our finalists above and to the rest of our participants!

Book your audition for the Orchestra Program today!

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Performing in a symphony orchestra is one of the most exhilarating experiences a young musician will encounter. The team aspect of orchestral playing – each member offering their individual skill for a collective purpose – instills life skills that have far reaching benefits. VAM Orchestral Program is comprised of four (that’s right – we have four levels of Orchestra now!) levels of orchestral training that aim to strike a balance between excellence and enjoyment. Auditions are now open to join any of the orchestras that VAM offers:

Pre-Junior (PJs): Ages 5-7; Suzuki Book 2-4 or RCM Grade 1-3 (strings only – no audition necessary)
VAMJS: Ages 7-10; Suzuki Book 4-5 or RCM Grade 3-5
VAMIS: Ages 10-14; Suzuki Book 5-7 or RCM Grade 5-8
VAMSO: Ages 13 and above; RCM Grade 9-ARCT

Dates: June 2 to 13
For more info, or to book your audition, please contact: [email protected]

Play piano? No problem! Pianists are welcome to join any of the orchestras as a percussion/timpani player.

Learn Mandarin…by making music!

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We’re really excited to introduce one of our new programs at VAM for the 2014/15 school year. Learning Mandarin Through Music (LMTM) is an innovative class for students aged 3 to 9 that aims to teach them Mandarin through rhythm and rhyme, song, finger play, expressive movement, dance, drama and instrument playing. Children will learn the foundations of Mandarin including correct tones and speaking. This is a fantastic course for those who want their children to learn one of the most popular languages today!

Interested? Our next demo for this class will be happening on Saturday, May 3rd, 2014 from 2:30 to 3:15 pm (3 to 6 years) or 3:15 to 4:00 pm (6 to 9 years).
Want to sign up for this class? Check out class times here.

Royal Conservatory of Music President to Speak at Showcase Concert

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 15, 2014
Media Contact: Joseph Elworthy
[email protected] | (604) 734-2301

Royal Conservatory of Music President to Speak at VAM Showcase Concert

Vancouver, BC – The Vancouver Academy of Music (VAM) is excited to announce that Dr. Peter Simon, president of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Ontario, will be a guest speaker at this year’s Showcase Concert happening on Sunday, May 4th, 2:00 pm at the Orpheum Theatre.

The Showcase Concert is VAM’s annual celebration featuring over 300 performers from VAM’s numerous departments, including the orchestra, ballet and opera programs. Conducted by Maestro Leslie Dala (Associate Conductor & Chorus Director, Vancouver Opera; Music Director, Vancouver Bach Choir and Vancouver Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra), this concert will also feature soloists Sun Sung Kong (piano), Albert Seo (cello) and Melissa Bideau (soprano).

About Dr. Peter Simon: Dr. Peter Simon has served as President of The Royal Conservatory since 1991. During this time, he has overseen a dynamic transformation and dramatic expansion of this venerable Canadian institution founded in 1886. In addition to launching the Glenn Gould School in 1997 (which has since become one of Canada’s leading training centres for gifted young musicians), he has also transformed and expanded the Royal Conservatory Examinations program in Canada and the United States, which now oversees 8,000 examinations yearly. Dr. Simon holds a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Michigan and has held teaching and administrative posts at the University of Western Ontario and the Manhattan School of Music.

When: Sunday, May 4, 2014 at 2:00 pm
Where: Orpheum Theatre, 601 Smithe Street, Vancouver
Tickets: $10 Adults | $6 Seniors/Students

In Advance: Online (www.vancouveracademyofmusic.com) and in person at 1270 Chestnut Street (hours, Monday to Friday 9 am to 6 pm; Saturday 9 am to 2 pm)

Concert day – at Will Call one hour before the performance

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Spring 2014 RCM Mock Exam Dates

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RCM Theory/History exam season is fast approaching. Is your child ready to take exams? If your child is registered at a theory or history class here at VAM, we invite them to take a RCM mock exam to help prepare them for the real deal.

The exams will take place as follows:

Saturday, April 12th, 2014, 2:00 to 5:00 pm
Saturday, April 26th, 2014, 2:00 to 5:00 pm

All exams are free to take and will be held in the library.

31st Annual Elsje de Ridder Armstrong Chamber Music Competition

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On Friday, April 4th, we hosted the 31st Annual Elsje de Ridder Armstrong Chamber Music Competition. We had over 9 groups from our Chamber Music Institute program compete for a chance to win 1 of 9 cash scholarships. The groups, expertly coached by reowned teachers Andrew Dawes and Evelyn Creaser, performed a wonderful night of music for our adjudicator, David Gillham. Here are the winners!

Ester Hwang, violin
Simon Gidora, violin
On You Lee, viola
Albert Seo, cello
Elsje de Ridder Armstrong Memorial Scholarship ($1000.00)

Diana Kim, violin
Alina Khvatova, violin
On You Lee, viola
Trisha Doo, cello
Iby Koerner Memorial Scholarship ($500.00)

Julie Lin, viola
Marko Miletic, viola
Shauna Choi, cello
Eric Liang, piano
Provincial Chapter, I.O.D.E. Scholarship ($500.00)

Caitlin Wong, violin
Sarah Baek, cello
Augustin Wright, piano
Josephine & Alexander Walton Scholarship ($500.00)

Alina Khvatova, violin
Vanessa Shiao, cello
Teresa Bowes, piano
Eugenia & Evelyn Lawrence Memorial Scholarship ($500.00)

Alison Kim, violin
Grace Sohn, cello
Aydan Con, piano
VAM Scholarship ($200.00)

Sophia Cho, violin
Olivia Cho, cello
Catherine Wang, piano
Ulrika Wallersteiner & Peter Van de Velde Scholarship ($200.00)

Russell Kim, violin
Yu-Hsin Chen, viola
Noah Verheyen, flute
Joseph Elworthy Scholarship ($200.00)

Vivian Liu, violin
Emily Ahn, cello
Aydan Con, piano
VAM Scholarship ($200.00)

Congratulations to all our performers, and a huge thank you to our Mr. Gillham and all of our donors and volunteers who made this competition possible.