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.

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.

Barbara Clague Festival of Song
Sunday, April 6th, 2014 | 2:00 pm
Koerner Recital Hall | Free

Our annual Barbara Clague Festival of Song is back for its 2nd year. We have over 15 talented young singers performing on Sunday, April 6th for a chance to win one of five tuition scholarships. Come join us for a wonderful afternoon of singing!

A representative from the MIB will be at the Vancouver Academy of Music on Tuesday, March 18th from 2:00 to 3:00 pm to give an information session about the program. Order of Canada recipient and renowned violinist Andrew Dawes will also be in attendance. We encourage all aspiring and talented musicians to attend this session and find out more about how the MIB can help enhance your musical career! This session is free to attend.

Find out more information about the Instrument Bank here, and what instruments the bank has here.

We’re having an open rehearsal for VAMSO on Friday, March 14th…and you’re invited! We’ll be having a reading session featuring a select number of scores from our Young Composers’ Competition. Joined by guest conductor Owen Underhill (Turning Point Ensemble), each composer will have their composition read by VAMSO as part of their entrance.

Performance Order (in the Koerner Recital Hall):
4:30 pm: Kira Bennett
4:50 pm: Henry From
5:10 pm: Timmy Wang
5:30 pm: Jaelem Bhate
5:50 pm: Break
6:10 pm: Kevin Yan
6:30 pm: Adam Junk

We invite everyone to come out and listen to the next generation of young composers.

VAM is pleased to host Jesse Nolan (Music Director, Blue Man Group) on Monday, March 24th for an exclusive workshop! Join Blue Man Group Resident Music Director Jesse Nolan as he presents “Painting With Sound,” a unique workshop that gives attendees a glimpse into the world of Blue Man Group. Dive deep into the music and drumming of the show and explore how the connections between music, art, science, comedy, technology and culture come together to create the one-of-a-kind theatrical spectacle known as Blue Man Group.

About Jesse Nolan

Jesse received his MM in Jazz Studies and Percussion and BA in Music Education from the Indiana University Jacob’s School of Music. In his three years with Blue Man Group, he has performed in the Chicago, Orlando, Norwegian Epic and North American Tour casts. Jesse’s previous performance credits include the West Side Story 50th Anniversary European Tour, Jesus Christ Superstar (w/ Ted Neeley), James Moody, David Baker, Allen Vizzutti, and the Rob Parton JazzTECH Big Band. His playing can be heard on the Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra’s 2006 release “Carol of the Bells” (Owl Studios). Jesse is also currently Director of Education and Business Development for MashPlant and member of the Jazz Education Network Committee and Vic Firth Education Team. He also owns Big Pear Productions a company specializing in commercial music, recording, audio and video production for clients including Banana Republic, Virgin America, Bergdorf-Goodman and Holiday Inn. In over 14 years as a professional music educator, he has taught at elementary, middle, and high schools throughout the Midwest and has given guest lectures and clinics at dozens of universities all over the globe.

Spring Break will take place this year from Monday, March 17th to Sunday, March 30th, 2014. Regular lessons and classes will not take place during this time.

Building Hours during Spring Break:
Monday – Friday: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday: Closed

Office hours will be Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

All lessons & classes resume Monday, March 31st, 2014.