Elsje de Ridder Armstrong Chamber Music Competition

Who is eligible: Chamber groups consisting of VAM registered students

Application deadline: May 11, 2025

Competition dates: June 14, 2025

To apply: Apply online or download an application form.

The Vancouver Academy of Music Elsje de Ridder Armstrong Chamber Music Competition is designed to identify young talented students and afford them recognition and financial assistance. Students will be adjudicated by one distinguished musician external to VAM, with $2,750 total scholarship awards available for 2025/26 VAM tuition.

Dates
Application Deadline: May 11, 2025, 11:59pm
Competition: June 14, 2025*
*Students will receive notice of their specific time slot following the application deadline.

Auditions
Selection of groups to compete is based on the following:
-Recommendation by VAM faculty coach, who has delivered three or more hours of coaching to the group in the current academic year, by submitting a recommendation letter to Niki Hung ([email protected]).

Eligibility
Eligible ensembles:
-are chamber groups consisting of 3-8 members registered in VAM’s chamber music program.

Categories
Categories are determined by the average age of the group members:
-Junior: up to 13 years old
-Senior: 14 years old and older

Competition Rules
-Applications must include a non-refundable registration fee of $60, per group, made payable to the Vancouver Academy of Music.
-Chamber groups will be required to prepare one work for a maximum of 10 minutes.
-The full score must be submitted to the adjudicator (photocopies permitted).
-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 adjudicator retains the right to withhold any prize, if, in their opinion, it is not merited. All decisions made by the adjudicator are final and without appeal.

Apply

This competition is open to registered VAM students only. Please log in to your account to apply online.