Kay Meek Competition

Who is eligible: VAM students 14 and older as of May 12, 2025

Application deadline: April 13, 2025

Competition dates: May 12, 2025

To apply: Apply online or download an application form.

The Vancouver Academy of Music Kay Meek Competition is designed to identify young talented students and afford them recognition and financial assistance. Six students will be awarded scholarships, with the First Prize winner appearing as soloist with the VAM Symphony Orchestra.

Dates
Application Deadline: April 13, 2025, 11:59pm
Competition: May 12, 2025*
*Students will receive notice of their specific time slot following the application deadline.

Adjudication
The competition will be judged by a panel of three distinguished musicians external to VAM.

Repertoire
-Instrumentalists: a complete work (all movements) for solo instrument and orchestra, with cuts made to shorten tutti passages. Works must be a minimum of RCM 10 or equivalent.
-Singers: a selection of songs from an orchestrated song cycle, a multi-movement work, concert arias, a selection of opera arias, or repertoire approved by Voice Department Head. Maximum two selections for movements or arias from different works.

Eligibility
Eligible students:
-are 14 years of age or older as of May 12, 2025;
-have been enrolled in VAM private lessons since the beginning of the academic year for the instrument with which they compete;
-have not previously received the grand prize of the Kay Meek Competition;
-will continue VAM private lessons in 2025/26.

Competition Rules
-Applications must include a non-refundable registration fee of $60 made payable to the Vancouver Academy of Music.
-The grand prize winner will be required to perform the same repertoire selection with VAM Symphony Orchestra that was chosen for the competition.
-Three copies of the solo part of piano reduction must be submitted to the adjudicators (photocopies permitted). Full scores will not be accepted.
-The competition phase is open to the public. No audio or video recording is permitted.
-If the grand prize winner competed playing an orchestral instrument, they will be required to enroll in VAM Symphony Orchestra for the 2025/26 season.
-By submitting an application, students and their parent/guardian understand that any recording resulting from the winner’s performance with VAM Symphony Orchestra may be used for VAM promotional purposes.

Apply

Applications for the Kay Meek Competition are open to VAM students only. Please log in to your account to apply.