The Vancouver Music Competition (VMC) is a provincial organization working in the field of classical music with the goal of supporting and encouraging young Canadian performers. Through its work, the organization encourages musicians to surpass themselves, cultivate discipline and perseverance, sharpen their critical sense and discernment, develop their artistic personality, and grow as performers and human beings. The idea for the Vancouver Music Competition initially took shape in 1998 in Vancouver. Since then, 10 sections have been set up to cover all of British Columbia. The same spirit that drove the founders is still alive today in all the volunteers involved with the Vancouver Music Competition. They are the pillars of the organization and supply the energy needed for the competition to pursue its objectives.
Since it was founded, the Vancouver Music Competition has seen a parade of hundreds of young musicians. Among them are some of the big names on today’s national and international stages.
To meet its objectives, the Vancouver Music Competition established three different sections: the Vancouver Music Competition itself, the Junior Program and the British Columbia Neighbour.
• The VMC’s provincial tour visits 10 cities across British Columbia. More than 100 candidates register annually for the tour and obtain the comments of the jury to qualify for the urban and provincial competitions. Over $10,000 in prizes is awarded annually across British Columbia.
• The Junior Program allows young musicians to register solely for the regional competition in order to become accustomed to and experience the Vancouver Music Competition. These young people are heard by the same team of judges who go on the provincial tour. The judges’ comments are very important and must remain constructive at all times. They serve to let young musicians learn about the elements that will help them to improve.
• The British Columbia Neighbour is held every two years. It is reserved for the most advanced musicians and gives them an opportunity to measure themselves against the criteria of provincial competitions such as those in Vancouver, Victoria and the White Rock. Twenty five young people who are at the outset of their career are chosen by a selection committee to perform before five judges during the first elimination. Of these, a maximum of 12 candidates are selected for the semi-finals, and four for the finals. A total of $10,000 in cash prizes will be provided by HSBC. In addition to a cash prize of $8,000, the first place winner will undertake a three-week residency at The Imperial Hotel and perform in concert with the orchestra during the Symphony in the Harbour concert scheduled to close the Greater Vancouver and the provincial finals.
• The year 2008 marks the 10th anniversary of the Vancouver Music Competition. It is our hope that future generations of new musicians will also have the opportunity to enjoy this rewarding experience.
