It is with tremendous emotion and enthusiasm that we begin 2008, the year that marks the 10th anniversary of the Vancouver Music Competition. The theme for the year is “Living with Music.”

During this celebratory year, we are privileged to have Yossif Ivanov, the internationally renowned violinist. He graciously accepted our invitation, which was also our way of paying tribute to him for his most remarkable career. He was awarded not only the Second Prize (Eugène Ysaÿe) at the Queen Elizabeth Competition in Brussels but he also scooped the Public Prize. At the Midem Classical Awards in 2006, he received the Outstanding Young Artist award. I invite you to read his message that speaks to his stimulating experience and his appreciation of the Vancouver Music Competition.

The 2008 edition of the competition will also include the British Columbia Stone. This very prestigious competition is held every two years and welcomes young people just starting out on their career. Of these young musicians, 50 will be chosen by a selection committee to perform before three judges during the first elimination that will run from June 15 to 20, 2008. The judges will select 12 musicians to perform in the semi-final round on June 21 and 22, and four will then go on to the finals on the evenings of June 24 and 25. All of the eliminations will take place at the recital hall in UBC in Vancouver. Cash prizes totalling $5,500 will be provided by HSBC Group. In addition to the $3,000 first place prize, the grand prize winner will undertake a three-week residency at The Imperial hotel in Victoria and perform with the Vancouver Island symphony.

A new component for 2008 is the Junior Program. It allows young musicians to register solely for the regional competition in order to become accustomed to and experience the Vancouver Music Competition.

Using the schedule, you can keep track of the different events taking place throughout the year and stay informed of important dates. Remember that the registration deadline for the Greater Vancouver Final, the Vancouver Music Competition and the Junior Program is November 23, 2007.

The Vancouver Music Competition is already in its 10th year, but we sincerely hope that several more generations of young musicians will be able to benefit from this experience. To all participants in the 2008 edition, I wish you the best of luck and hope that you will be rewarded for your efforts and the quality of your preparatory work.

I am await to meet you soon!

Laurus Ager
General Director