AM International Music Competition 2025

&

Vancouver Christian Orchestra Seating Selections

Final Round Information

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all participants and parents for joining the AMMC Final Round.

Your dedication and preparation make this event truly meaningful, and we are grateful for your participation.

Event Date & Time

  • Saturday, December 13, 2025

  • 2:00 PM – around 5:00 PM

    Please note that the ending time may be slightly delayed depending on the flow of the competition

Arrival Instructions (Important)

  • All participants must arrive at least 20 minutes before their scheduled performance time

  • Upon arrival, please follow the instructions of our staff, who will guide you to the tuning and preparation area.

Venue

  • UBC St. Mark’s Parish

  • 5935 Iona Drive, Vancouver, BC

Parking Information

Free parking is available behind the church at the Parish/College parking lot.

Video Recording

  • All performances in the Final Round will be professionally recorded for official documentation

    • Participants are encouraged to wear school uniforms or formal attire

    • Stage presence and attire may be taken into consideration during video review

Performance Guidelines

For pieces with repeat sections, judges may stop the performance if they feel they have heard enough for evaluation.

This is a standard procedure to ensure fairness and to keep the competition running smoothly.

  • After completing your performance, please either

    • remain seated quietly to listen to others, or

    • wait until a staff member guides you for dismissal.

  • Moving around or making noise during the competition is strictly prohibited, as it may interfere with judging and video recording.

Judging Process & Results

This year’s Final Round includes

  • 18 in-person participants in Canada, and

  • approximately 30 finalists in total, including international participants

In-Person Judge

  • Professor Hyejung Jun (UBC Choral ) will serve as the on-site judge

Video Review Judges

  • Six international judges from Toronto, Germany, Korea, and Quebec will review the recorded performances

Please note that the evaluation process may take some time due to multiple judging formats.

Results will be announced both on our website and through individual notifications.

Judges

HYOWON WOO

[Composer - Music Director]

Hyowon Woo is a leading composer in contemporary choral music, known for her innovative works blending traditional Korean aesthetics with modern sensibilities and Western choral techniques. She has been commissioned by major institutions including the National Chorus of Korea, the Korean National Symphony Orchestra, and the LA Master Chorale. Her works are widely published and performed around the world.

HYEJUNG JUN

[Professor, University of British Columbia School of Music]

At the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Dr. Jun conducted and assisted the CCM Chamber Choir, the CCM Chorale, and taught undergraduate conducting classes. She also was awarded the May Festival Conducting Fellowship for the 2018-2019 season under the mentorship of Robert Porco, Director of Choruses of the May Festival Chorus. Prior to coming to the United States, she was the winner of the National Choral Conducting Competition in Seoul, South Korea, and after moving to the United States, she was a finalist in the Graduate Conducting Competition of the American Choral Directors Association..

DAYOON YOU

[Violin]

Born in Seoul, he debuted at age eight at the Seoul Arts Center. He studied at the Korea National University of Arts and continues his studies at the Hanns Eisler School of Music Berlin. Dayoon was the winner of the second prize at the Long-Thibaud International Violin Competition and a Laureate of the 2024 Queen Elisabeth Violin Competition. Recipient of the Special Prize “Kronberg Academy” at the ARD International Music Competition in Munich and a finalist of the Henryk Wieniawski International Violin Competition. He has performed with major orchestras including the Munich Chamber Orchestra, Baden-Baden Philharmonic Orchestra, Poznań Philharmonic Orchestra, Karlovy Vary Symphony Orchestra, and Suwon Philharmonic Orchestra.

SOYOUNG LEE

[Viola]

Soyoung Lee has served as a long-standing jury member for the Leopold Bellan International Competition in France and the Osaka International Competition. She teaches at Yewon School, Korea National Institute for the Gifted in Arts, and Korea National University of Arts.

MIDORI KOGA

[Professor, Piano · University of Toronto]

Pianist Midori Koga has collaborated with ensembles such as NEXUS, Soundstreams Ensemble, and members of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Her recordings appear on Albany, Equilibrium, Fleur de Son, NAXOS, Blue Griffin, and Centrediscs. She is a founding member of HAVEN, a trio for soprano, clarinet, and piano, commissioning major new works supported by awards including the Barlow Endowment Commissioning Grant and Chamber Music America Classical Commissioning Grants.

Dr. Koga is active as lecturer, adjudicator, and pedagogy specialist, serving with the Royal Conservatory of Music’s College of Examiners and presenting internationally at major pedagogy conferences. She is currently Professor at the University of Toronto, directing Canada’s first MMus and DMA programs in Piano Pedagogy and Performance.

LAN KIM

[Piano]

Lan Kim received full scholarship and Graduate Assistantship at Southern Oregon University, and was the recipient of the Oregon Lottery Graduate Scholarship in 2016. She has had opportunities to perform at various music programs, including the Gijon International Piano Festival, the Orford Festival, and the Piano Masterclass at World of Music and Arts. She has performed in masterclasses for the most renowned artists in the field such as Robert McDonald, John Perry, Julian Martin, Marc Durand, Vadim Monastyrski, Anton Nel, and Yong Hi Moon. She has also won prizes at several competitions, including the Pacific International Youth Music Society Competition, and was the recipient of numerous scholarships at the University of British Columbia, including the Phyllis Schuldt Memorial Scholarship, Stanley Chuck Cheun Leung Memorial Scholarship, and Mildred Johnson Scholarship.

EDMUNGO GONZÁLEZ

[Piano]

Edmundo has had success performing concerti with the National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico, the Querétaro Symphony, and the Coyoacán Symphony. Dr. González is an award winner of numerous competitions, including the 2012 “Angélica Morales” National Piano Competition in Mexico, and the first prize at the Piano Competition of Mexico’s National Conservatory in both 2005 and 2006. His extensive list of scholarships and grants includes the Mexican National Fund for Science and Technology Scholarship, the Meadows Artistic Merit Scholarship, and the Mexican National Fund for Culture and Arts Grant.

Dr. González earned his bachelor’s degree and graduated with top honours at the National Conservatory of Music in Mexico, continuing his studies at the Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, where he received his Master of Music and Performer’s Diploma. He recently received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of British Columbia.

Participation & Evaluation

Canadian Participants:

  • Preliminary: Video screening

  • Final: Live, in-person performance evaluation

  • Selected finalists: Eligible for VCSO & VCCO membership (not mandatory, up to the participant)

International Participants (Including other Canadian cities, e.g., Toronto)

  • Preliminary: Video screening

  • Final: Combination of live (in-person) and video evaluation

  • Selected finalists: Awarded Membership of Vancouver Christian Orchestra (Participation in VCSO &VCCO optional)

  • Opportunities: Invitation to Vancouver performances and international cultural exchange projects

Fairness Policy

  • All finalists are encouraged to perform live in Vancouver whenever possible.

  • Participants from outside Vancouver or overseas may be evaluated via online submissions due to distance, travel cost, etc.

  • The judging process has been carefully structured to ensure fairness and balanced opportunities for both live and recorded performances.

01. Eligibility

Educational Enrolment Requirements

  • General schools (elementary, middle, high school, university, graduate school)

  • Art institutions, international schools, specialized high schools

  • Homeschooling students

  • Special schools (students with disability ID cards)

Age Categories

  • Elementary School A: Grades 1-3

  • Elementary School B: Grades 4-6

  • Middle School

  • High School

  • College & General division (up to 32 years of age)

  • Church Choir (All ages)

Repertoire:

  • Elementary School: Different pieces for preliminary and final round, each in duration of 3-10 minutes.

  • Middle School & Above: Any work not exceeding 15 minutes for both the preliminary and final round.

    ***Note: In the case of sonatas, a performer must play the 1st movement or both the 1st and 2nd movements without repetition from memory.

Instruments:

  • Piano (Solo & Duo)

  • Vocal (Solo & Duet & Choir)

  • Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Harp, Ensemble/Chamber

  • Winds/Brass: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone, Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, Ensemble/Chamber

02. Fees & Payment

Application Fee (non-refundable):

  • Canadian residents:

    • Solo: Preliminary $75 + Additional $75 for participants who proceed to Final Round

    • Duo/Ensemble (per person): $60 + Additional $60 for participants who proceed to Final Round

    • Special School Students: $60 + Additional $60 for participants who proceed to Final Round

    • Instrumental Group or Choir Ensemble with 5 or more members: $250

  • International (Outside Canada):

    • Overseas Participants: $150 CAD (instructions via email)

    • Korean Residents: 150,000 KRW

    • Duo/Ensemble (per person): $100

    • Special School Students: $100

    • Instrumental Group or Choir Ensemble with 5 or more members: $250 CAD

Payment Methods

  • E-transfer: ammusicconnection@gmail.com

  • Overseas: Contact by email for payment instructions

  • Korean Residents: KB Kookmin Bank 752601-04-340190 (AMMC Korea)

  • Payer’s name must match participant’s name (or specify instrument if not possible)

03. Awards

Note: Since the results will be based on absolute evaluation, there may be cases where there is no winner or more than 1 winner. There may be changes in the competition dates and/or location due to unforeseeable events.

Grand Prize:

  • 1 winner

  • AMMC Scholarship Award of $3000

Division Awards

  • Elementary A (Grades 1-3):

    • Gold $500 / Silver $300 / Bronze $150

  • Elementary B (Grades 4-6):

    • Gold $500 / Silver $300 / Bronze $150

  • Middle School

    • Gold $500 / Silver $300 / Bronze $150

  • High School

    • Gold $500 / Silver $300 / Bronze $150

  • College & General

    • Gold $500 / Silver $300 / Bronze $150

Special Awards

  • Ensemble/Chamber Scholarship: Up to $2,000

  • Special Certificates:

    • Archbishop Richard Smith (Archdiocese of Vancouver)

    • Consul General of Korea in Vancouver

    • Senator Yonah Martin

    • Outstanding Teacher Award:

      • For exceptional instructors, includes mentoring and jury invitations

Benefits

  • Winners receive invitations to domestic & international performances

  • Round-trip airfare and partial accommodation support for invited performances

04. Registration

Guideline for preliminary round video submissions.

Participants may register for the first round by submitting an application along with the application fee through e-transfer.

Your video recording must be a YouTube link that is public or unlisted.

  • Video recordings must clearly show the participant’s face and the entire body must be visible.

  • Video recordings that are accompanied by a pianist must include and show your pianist as well.

  • Orchestral accompanied recordings are acceptable.

  • An unedited video of the performance as a YouTube PUBLIC link. Please ensure that the link is openable, as failure to do so may lead to disqualification. Videos edited in any way will not be accepted.

  • Recordings with build-in mics on smartphones is acceptable, as long as it is clearly audible. You are more than welcome to use additional equipment as well. The use of audio edits or sound effects is prohibited.

  • Recordings with phones or iPads is allowed, as well as recording in practice rooms or lesson rooms.

  • If you are submitting an old recording, it MUST be no more than six months old.

For final round submissions:

Video submissions must follow all above rules with the addition of:

  • Brief self-introduction (name, instrument, piece) at the beginning of the video

05. Guidelines

  • Jury: Professors and professional musicians from Canada and abroad

  • Preliminary results announced before finals

  • Jury names disclosed after final round for fairness

  • Experienced jurors evaluate both live and online performances

06. Guidelines

  1. If fewer than 10 applicants register for an instrument category, it may be canceled or combined for awards.

  2. As absolute scoring is used, there may or may not be any winners in each category.

  3. Please monitor the website for updates or announcements.

  4. The competition schedule and events may be adjusted or canceled due to unforeseen circumstances, such as COVID-19 or other emergencies.

  5. Decisions on unlisted matters are at the discretion of the organizers.

  6. Categories with insufficient participants may be combined for judging.

  7. Awards and privileges are subject to change based on organizer circumstances.

  8. The organizers are not responsible for any disadvantages from missed website announcements.

  9. Scholarships may be subject to tax deductions (varies by country)

Final Round Application Form.