Competition information is also available in the following languages: French, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese.
Application Deadlines
2023 Vancouver International Music Competition will be occurring by video submission for preliminary round, in person only for final round. Candidates must submit video links to their performances by the specified dates below:
Preliminary Round (video submission)
- Application Deadline: June 15th, 2023 11:59pm, (extended to June 30th, 2023 11:59pm Pacific Time)
- Video Submission Deadline: June 15th, 2023 11:59pm
- Application Fee: $130 CAD
Final Round (in person only)
- Oct.7th, 2023 at Roy Barnett Hall, 6361 Memorial Rd, Vancouver BC
Gala & Awards Ceremony
- Oct.9th, 2023, 2pm at Vancouver Playhouse, 600 Hamilton St. Vancouver BC
Competition Categories
The Vancouver International Music Competition will be divided into four age categories and three instrument/voice categories (Age as of June 30, 2023):
Categories
- Piano
- Strings (violin, viola, cello, double bass, harp, guitar)
- Voice
Age Categories
- Junior Talent: ages 8 and under (not for VOICE)
- Young Talent: ages 9–12
- Young Artists: ages 13–17
- Artists: ages 18–35
Age as of June 30th, 2023
Repertoire Guidelines
Preliminary Round
For the preliminary round, competitors will perform two works, one Baroque or Classical piece and another Romantic or Contemporary piece. The time limit of the preliminary round:
- Junior Talent (ages 8 and under): 8 minutes
- Young Talent (ages 9–12): 10 minutes
- Young Artists (ages 13–17): 12 minutes
- Artists (ages 18–35): 15 minutes
One movement of a multi-movement work (such as a sonata) will be considered one piece. The marks will be deducted if the candidate exceeds the time limit at the committee’s discretion.
Arrangements, simplified or modified editions (including transposed works from the original), and popular music will not be accepted. Some arranged harp compositions may be accepted upon VIMC Committee’s approval.
Final Round
Competitors that make it past the preliminary round will perform one or two pieces (only one piece allowed for Piano Category) of their choice from memory. Performers are allowed to repeat works they played in the preliminary round in the final round.
The time limit of the final round:
- Junior Talent (ages 8 and under): 6 minutes
- Young Talent (ages 9–12): 8 minutes
- Young Artists (ages 13–17): 10 minutes
- Artists (ages 18–35): 12 minutes
Competitors may be awarded for performing a Canadian composition in the final round. Click here for a list of Canadian composers and compositions.
Additional Considerations
The Vancouver International Music Competition is governed by the Board of Directors and Executive Committee managed by the President of the Vancouver International Music Competition.
Competitors must follow all arrangements, rules and schedules of the competition. The decision of the Executive Committee upon all issues of the regulations and related administrative matters shall be final.
The VIMC reserves the right to make any amendment to the Syllabus, Rules and Arrangements. Information of any amendment will be uploaded on the website without any individual notification to competitors.
The decisions of the jury are considered final. However, the committee retains the authority to revoke a decision under exceptional circumstances.
The VIMC respects diversity and the competition does not discriminate based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, or political association.
Competitors hold harmless the VIMC from any damages, claims, liabilities, and costs, or losses of any kind or nature whatsoever, which may in any way arise from the preliminary round, final round, performance at the Gala and recording.
The VIMC reserves the right to use competitors’ photos for promotional purposes, unless otherwise informed.
First place winners are not eligible to participate in VIMC immediately following this one, however, participation is encouraged in any subsequent competitions.
Jury members are not allowed to judge former or current students (excluding masterclass participation). In this situation, the competitor will be judged by the remaining jury members.
Competitors are not permitted to speak to judges during the competition. Breaking this rule may lead to disqualification by the competitor.