Bjorn & Lori Hareid Concerto Competition

Who is eligible: VAM private students

Application deadline: April 13, 2025

Competition dates: May 26-28, 2025

To apply: Apply online or download an application form.

Welcome to one of the most exciting competitions that occurs once every two years and provides a unique opportunity for aspiring musicians to perform as soloist with the VAM Symphony Orchestra. The Bjorn & Lori Hareid Concerto Competition is categorized into instrument and is open to any student who studies at VAM.* A $2000 scholarship will be awarded to one winner in each category.

*Featured soloists of VAMSO’s 2025/26 season are ineligible to apply. 

COMPETITION DATES

  • Application deadline: April 13, 2025, 11:59pm
  • Competition dates: May 26-28, 2025
    Students will receive notice of their specific time slot following the application deadline.

INSTRUMENT CATEGORIES 

  • Category A: piano
  • Category B: strings
  • Category C: open (woodwind, brass, harp, percussion, voice, guitar, etc.)

REPERTOIRE

Instrumentalists: Any movement or work for solo instrument and orchestra, with cuts made to shorten tutti passages. Works must be a minimum of RCM Level 10 or equivalent, and a maximum of 15 minutes in length.

Singers: A selection of songs from an orchestrated song cycle, a multi-movement work, concert arias, a selections of opera arias, or repertoire approved by the Voice Department Head. Maximum two selections for movements or arias from different works, with a total duration of up to 15 minutes.

ADJUDICATION
An adjudication committee will choose one winner from each category to perform as a soloist with the VAM Symphony Orchestra. Written commentary will be supplied for each entrant.

COMPETITION RULES
-Eligible students have been enrolled in VAM private lessons since the beginning of the academic year for the instrument with which they compete;
-Applications must include a non-refundable registration fee of $60 made payable to the Vancouver Academy of Music.
-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 performances with VAM Symphony Orchestra may be used for VAM promotional purposes.

APPLY 

The Bjorn & Lori Hareid Concerto Competition is open to VAM students only. Please log in to your account to apply.