Competition Status: 2024/25 Applications Closed

VAMFP Debut Spotlight Solo Competition

Class Description: VAM presents its 5th annual VAM Friendly Philharmonic Debut Spotlight Solo Competition providing an opportunity for up to three soloists to perform a movement of a concerto or solo piece with the VAM Friendly Philharmonic*. VAM will ensure that the competition is impartially and professionally conducted with a two-person adjudication panel consisting of experienced musicians with no affiliation with the competing musicians. *performance date to be assigned by conductor Eligibility Eligible students: -are currently members in good standing of VAM Friendly Philharmonic; -are not winners of the 2023/24 VAMFP Solo Competition. Dates Application Deadline: September 29, 2024, 11:59pm Competition: October 21, 2024* *Students will receive notice of their specific time slot following the application deadline. Competition Rules 1. Students must perform on the instrument they currently play in VAMFP. 2. The selection must be approved by VAMFP conductor and meet length, orchestration and proficiency requirements. Repertoire approval will be confirmed within 3 business days of the application deadline. 3. Students must provide 2 copies of the solo part or piano reduction for the adjudication committee (photocopies are permitted). 4. Performers must perform from memory. 5. Performers must perform with and provide their own pianist. 6. The competition phase is closed to the public with the exception of the parent/guardian and teacher of the student performing; no video or audio recording permitted. 7. Repertoire selections must not exceed 15 minutes in duration. For the competition, tutti passages must be shortened. 8. All applications must include a non-refundable $60 application fee. 9. 1 winner awarded the Orpheum Prize performs at the Orpheum Theatre; 2 winners awarded the VAM Prize will perform at VAM. 10. By applying to the competition, the student and parent/guardian agree that any resulting recordings from winner's performances with VAM Friendly Philharmonic may be used for VAM's promotional purposes. Apply [gravityform id="167" title="false" description="false"]

VAMJS Concerto Competition

Class Description: VAM presents its ninth annual VAM Junior Symphony Concerto Competition providing an opportunity for up to three soloists to perform a movement of a concerto with the VAM Junior Symphony.* VAM will ensure that the competition is impartially and professionally conducted with a two-person adjudication panel consisting of experienced musicians with no affiliation with the competing musicians. *performance date to be assigned by conductor Eligibility Eligible students: -are currently members in good standing of VAM Junior Symphony; -are not winners of the VAMJS 2023/24 Concerto Competition. Dates Application Deadline: September 29, 2024, 11:59pm Competition: October 21, 2024* * Students will receive notice of their specific time slot following the application deadline. Competition Rules 1. Students must perform on the instrument they currently play in VAMJS. 2. The selection must be approved by VAMJS conductor Joseph Elworthy and meet length, orchestration and proficiency requirements. Repertoire approval will be confirmed within 3 business days of the application deadline. 3. Students must provide 2 copies of the solo part or piano reduction for the adjudication committee (photocopies are permitted). 4. Performers must perform from memory. 5. Performers must perform with and provide their own pianist. 6. The competition phase is closed to the public with the exception of the parent/guardian and teacher of the student performing; no video or audio recording permitted. 7. Repertoire selections must not exceed 15 minutes in duration. For the competition, tutti passages must be shortened. 8. All applications must include a non-refundable $60 application fee. 9. 1 winner awarded the Orpheum Prize performs at the Orpheum Theatre; 2 winners awarded the VAM Prize will perform at VAM. 10. By applying to the competition, the student and parent/guardian agree that any resulting recordings from the winner’s performances with VAM Junior Symphony may be used for VAM’s promotional purposes. Apply [gravityform id="166" title="false" description="false"]

VAMIS Concerto Competition

Class Description: VAM presents its eighth annual VAM Intermediate Symphony Concerto Competition providing an opportunity for up to three soloists to perform a movement of a concerto with the VAM Intermediate Symphony.* VAM will ensure that the competition is impartially and professionally conducted with a two-person adjudication panel consisting of experienced musicians with no affiliation with the competing musicians. *performance date to be assigned by conductor Eligibility Eligible students: -are currently members in good standing of VAM Intermediate Symphony; -are not winners of the VAMIS 2023/24 Concerto Competition. Dates Application Deadline: September 29, 2024, 11:59pm Competition: October 21, 2024 Students will receive notice of their specific time slot following the application deadline. Competition Rules 1. Students must perform on the instrument they currently play in VAMIS. 2. The selection must be approved by VAMIS conductor and meet length, orchestration and proficiency requirements. Repertoire approval will be confirmed within 3 business days of the application deadline. 3. Students must provide 2 copies of the solo part or piano reduction for the adjudication committee (photocopies are permitted). 4. Performers must perform from memory. 5. Performers must perform with and provide their own pianist. 6. The competition phase is closed to the public with the exception of the parent/guardian and teacher of the student performing; no video or audio recording permitted. 7. Repertoire selections must not exceed 15 minutes in duration. For the competition, tutti passages must be shortened. 8. All applications must include a non-refundable $60 application fee. 9. 1 winner awarded the Orpheum Prize performs at the Orpheum Theatre; 2 winners awarded the VAM Prize will perform at VAM. 10. By applying to the competition, the student and parent/guardian agree that any resulting recordings from the winner's performance with VAM Intermediate Symphony may be used for VAM's promotional purposes. Apply [gravityform id="165" title="false" description="false"]

Edith Lando Gifted Youth Competition

Class Description: The Vancouver Academy of Music Edith Lando Gifted Youth Competition is designed to identify young talented students and afford them recognition and financial assistance. Two adjudicators external to VAM will choose eight finalists with $3,000 in total awarded for 2025/26 VAM scholarships. Dates Application Deadline: January 12, 2025, 11:59pm Competition: February 10, 2025* Winner's Recital: March 2, 2025, 2pm *Students will receive notice of their specific time slot following the application deadline and competition date. Eligibility Eligible students: - are 13 years of age or younger as of December 31, 2024. - have been enrolled in VAM private lessons since the beginning of the academic year. - have not appeared in more than three previous Gifted Youth Scholarship Recitals. Repertoire -Instrumentalists (except guitar students): Students will be required to prepare one work for a maximum of 10 minutes, from memory (minimum RCM 8 or equivalent). Those selected will be required to perform the same repertoire at the Winner's Concert. -Guitar students: Students will be required to prepare one work for a maximum of 10 minutes, from memory (minimum RCM 6 or equivalent). Those selected will be required to perform the same repertoire at the Winner's Concert. -Voice students may prepare two contrasting songs from classical, folk, or musical theatre genres, with a combined total duration of no more than 10 minutes (minimum RCM level 6 or equivalent). Those selected will be required to perform the same repertoire at the Winner’s Concert. Competition Rules -Applications must include a non-refundable registration fee of $60 made payable to the Vancouver Academy of Music. -Two copies of the music must be submitted to the adjudicators during the competition phase (photocopies permitted). -All scholarship recipients are required to perform in the Winner's Recital as part of their award. Failure to participate in the Recital will result in the forfeiture of the scholarship, except in cases of illness or other extenuating circumstances, which must be communicated and approved in advance. -The competition phase will be closed to the public with the exception of the parents/guardians and teacher of the student performing; no audio or video recording is permitted. -By submitting an application, students and their parent/guardian understand that any recording resulting from the Winner's Recital may be used for VAM promotional purposes. Apply [gravityform id="159" title="false" description="true"]

Young Composers’ Competition

Class Description: Vancouver Academy of Music presents its fifth Young Composers’ Competition, providing a platform for students to experience the art of composition with the ultimate prize of having their work performed at the Orpheum Theatre by the VAM Symphony Orchestra. Awards A scholarship award of $2000 will be awarded to the first prize winner. Performance Dates Finalists will be chosen for a reading session on April 5, 2025. The top three compositions will be read by VAMSO during a rehearsal in Spring 2025, with the first prize piece to be performed during VAM Symphony Orchestra’s 2025/26 season. Eligibility VAM’s Young Composers’ Competition is open to any student who is studying composition at VAM. Scores submitted must have the composer’s identifying information removed. Eligible works are five minutes or shorter in duration and follow the following orchestration guidelines*: 2 Flutes, 2 Clarinets, 2 Oboes, 2 Bassoons, 4 French Horns, 2 Trumpets, 3 Trombones, Timpani, 1 Percussion, 1 Harp, 1 Piano, Strings *Works must be orchestrated for, at minimum, a complete string orchestra. All other instruments are optional. *Works with a soloist are not eligible Non-refundable Application Fee $60 Deadlines Application deadline: January 12, 2025 Finalists notified: on or before February 3 Parts due to Orchestra Manager: March 11, 23:59pm Apply online [gravityform id="168" title="false" description="false"]

Jerold Gerbrecht Woodwind & Brass Competition

Class Description: The Vancouver Academy of Music Jerold Gerbrecht Woodwind and Brass Competition is designed to offer recognition and financial assistance to talented woodwind and brass students. $1,200 total in scholarships will be awarded for 2025/26 VAM tuition. Instruments Flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, French horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, percussion Eligibility Eligible students are those enrolled in VAM private lessons for any of the instruments listed above. Dates Application Deadline: January 26, 2025, 11:59pm Competition: February 24, 2025* * Students will receive notice of their specific time slot following the application deadline. Categories Junior: ages 15 and under Senior: ages 16+ Adjudicators Students will be evaluated by two distinguished musicians external to VAM. Competition Rules -Applications must include a non-refundable registration fee of $60 made payable to the Vancouver Academy of Music. -Two copies of the music must be submitted to the adjudicators (photocopies permitted). -Applicants must prepare one work with accompaniment not to exceed 15 minutes in duration. -All applicants are responsible for arranging a pianist. -The competition phase will be closed to the public with the exception of the parents/guardians and teacher of the student performing; No audio or video recording is permitted. -The adjudicators retain the right to withhold any prize if, in their opinion, it is not merited. All decisions made by the adjudicators are final and without appeal. Application Form [gravityform id="160" title="false" description="true"]