71st Annual Young Musicians Competition

Welcome to the Friends of Chamber Music’s 71st Annual Young Musicians Competition, to be held on March 29, 2026, 1:00pm

$5000 in prizes

Finals/Free Concert:

March 29, 2026, 1:00pm

Location:
Koerner Recital Hall,
Vancouver Academy of Music
1270 Chestnut Street, Vancouver

Ensembles must consist of three or more musicians playing strings, winds, brass instruments, and piano in any combination. All selections performed are to be from classical chamber music repertoire and should not exceed approximately ten minutes in duration. Junior category competitors must not be older than 18 years and senior category competitors must not be older than 26 years. No competitors may play in more than two competing groups.

Apply online using the form at the bottom of this page, or send entry forms by mail to: YMC c/o Karen Shuster, 1236 Shorepine Walk, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3T8. Entry forms must be received by Sunday, February 01, 2026.

NEW this year: Auditions will be unedited videos submitted via YouTube by Sunday, February 15, 2026. Musicians in the videos must be named and match those listed on the entry forms. No substitutions are permitted. We will notify groups selected for the finals during the last week of February, 2026. Those selected will perform for a music-professional adjudicator at Koerner Recital Hall, Vancouver Academy of Music, on Sunday, March 29, 2026 at 1:00 pm.

For further information phone 604-732-9565 or email [email protected]

Entry Rules and Requirements

1. There are two age categories:
   Junior: for players up to age 18
   Senior: for players up to age 26
2. Competition ensembles must have three or more performers.
3. Instruments may be strings, winds, brass or piano in any combination.
4. Selections are to be from the classical instrumental music repertoire.
5. Playing time will be limited to 10 minutes maximum; the same music must be played for both the online audition and the finals/free concert.
6. Competitors may not participate in more than two groups.
7. Completed entry forms must be received before Monday, February 02, 2026.
8. Each competing ensemble must submit an unedited audition video online via YouTube before Monday, February 15, 2026
9. No young musician may substitute for another group member after an audition video entry is submitted.
10. Selected finalists will be notified the week of February 23, 2026 if they are selected to play in the finals for a music-professional adjudicator on Sunday, March 29, 2026 @ 1 pm.

For inquiries, please call Karen Shuster at 604-732-9565.