Vancouver Youth Music Competition

The Vancouver Youth Music Foundation is proud and excited to host our first National Competition for woodwind, brass, and percussion!

Applicants will need to register through our application portal below – Rules and Registration information to follow.

Preliminary applications will be due by March 31st, 2026. The Semi Finals and Final Round will be held at the University of British Columbia in the Roy Barnett Recital Hall from July 22 to 26, 2026.

We warmly encourage all eligible Canadian musicians to take part in this exciting opportunity to showcase their musicality on a national stage! A total of 45 applicants from across Canada will be selected from the National Prelims to advance to the Semi-Finals.

Before applying, please read through the following Rules and Regulations carefully. We look forward to hearing your applications!

Submit your application today!

Preliminary Application due March 31 2026, 11:59pm PST

Submit Here

1. Registration

The Competition is open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents only.
Exceptionally, an accompanist will not be held to this requirement.
Proof of age is required at the time of registration. The following documents are acceptable proof: passport, citizenship certificate, or permanent resident card.

2. Registration Deadline

The registration form must be completed via our Competition Application Link before March 31st, 11:59pm PST.

It is the candidate’s responsibility to submit all required documents with the registration by the deadline.

Competition Dates & Venues:

Semi Finals: July 22, 2026

University of British Columbia, Roy Barnett Recital Hall

Finals: July 25, 2026

University of British Columbia, Roy Barnett Recital Hall

Winners’ Gala Concert: July 26, 2027

TBD

3. Registration Fees

Registration fees: $150.00

Repertoire Modification fee: $50.00, finalized by April 30

Note that the registration fee is non-refundable.

4. Instrument Categories

This year we are accepting auditions for Wind (Oboe, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Bassoon), Brass (Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba), and Percussion.

5. Age Categories

Ages 10-14

Ages 15-18

Ages 19-25

Candidates must not be older than the category in which they apply on January 1, 2026. This rule applies to all applicants.

6. Repertoire Guidelines

Applicants must comply with the repertoire requirements for their age category and instrument.
Three contrasting works are required for the preliminary audition.
- For the 10-14 age category, three contrasting works may be taken from band excerpts and/or RCM books.

Prelim Time Limit

(minutes)

Semis Time Limit

(minutes)

Finals Time Limit

(minutes)

Ages 10-14

Ages 15-18

Ages 19-25

Works must be different for each round. Multi-movement works such as concerto, sonata, suite, opera, cycle, etc. may not be divided within a round or between rounds.
In the final round, the works with orchestra must be accompanied by piano.
- The final round work must be a concerto, influential to your instrument.
- Exception made for the 10-14 age category; concerto not required.
Time Limit: Candidates agree to perform repertoire that does not exceed the time limit allowed. Should the candidate exceed the time limit, they may be interrupted by the jury.
Repeats are optional as long as the maximum time limit is respected.
No cuts are permitted in any piece or movement, except for tutti in concertos. Cadenzas are mandatory.
Memorization:
- Memorization will only be required in the concerto of the Final Round.
- Exception made for the 10-14 age category.
All pieces and movements entered must be played. No substitutions are permitted.

7. Competition Procedure

The competition is divided into three rounds: Preliminary Audition, Semi Finals, and Final Round.
The candidates agree to be free of all other activities for the duration of the Semi Finals and Final Round on the specific dates for the competition in their age/instrument category.
A candidate who is absent at the scheduled audition time will be disqualified. Any request for a schedule change received after the official schedule has been released will be denied.
At the Semi Finals and Final Round, jury comments are given to candidates at the end of their sessions. Results will be announced and notified after all categories finish; marks are not disclosed.
- Feedback from the preliminary round may be available upon request.

8. Punctuality

Candidates must signify their presence at least fifteen minutes prior to the time of their appointment for each round.
No change in order of appearance of candidates will be allowed and no delay will be tolerated.

9. Competition Procedure

A digital copy of each score will be required for the preliminary round, while an original hard copy will be required for both the semi-finals and final round; the submitted score must include the accompaniment. Extra copies will also be required if there is more than one judge.
The name of each selected work, the movement number, and the name of the composer must all be clearly identified on the score.
In the event that a score was purchased for digital download, a receipt of purchase must be included with a printed copy of the score.

10. Evaluation and Results

The results of each round are non-cumulative.
The judges’ decisions are final and cannot be appealed.

11. Awards and Prizes

Awards an Gala Performance Invitation 2026 will be awarded based on the results of the Final Round in each individual age category. In addition, top winners will be invited to perform at the VYMF Gala Concert the following year (2027). The Gala concert in 2027 (date TBD) will be a showcase of concertos by the top winners of the 15-18 and 19-25 age categories.

3rd Place

2nd Place

1st Place

Ages 10-14

$150

$300

$500

Ages 15-18

$500

$1000

$1500

Ages 19-25

$1000

$1500

$3000

Financial aid, including reimbursement of the registration fee, is available for low-income families upon application. Eligibility for low-income status will follow the guidelines on our Financial Aid page.

12. Expenses

Candidates are responsible for all travel, lodging, and attendant expenses.

13. Cancellation

In the event of cancellation, candidates must promptly notify the Vancouver Youth Music Foundation. The registration fee is non-refundable.

14. Photograph / Audio, and Video Recording

During the Semi-finals and Final Round, it is forbidden from the participants to take pictures or to film.
The photographer(s) and videographer(s) commissioned by the Competition are authorized to photograph and/or film the performances.
By submitting an application for the Competition, candidates agree to allow the VYMF to film, photograph, and broadcast competitors. The Competition reserves the right to use these images and recordings for promotional purposes and for its archives.

15. Disqualification

Any candidate who fails to comply with the rules will be disqualified.
Any misrepresentation by a candidate will automatically result in a disqualification.
Unauthorized use of the performance hall and/or piano is strictly prohibited and will result in a disqualification.

Ready to submit your application?

Preliminary Application due March 31 2026, 11:59pm PST

Submit Here