AM International Music Competition 2025
&
Vancouver Christian Orchestra Seating Selections
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)
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
International (Outside Canada):
Overseas Participants: $150 CAD (instructions via email)
Korean Residents: 150,000 KRW
Duo/Ensemble (per person): $100
Special School Students: $100
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
If fewer than 10 applicants register for an instrument category, it may be canceled or combined for awards.
As absolute scoring is used, there may or may not be any winners in each category.
Please monitor the website for updates or announcements.
The competition schedule and events may be adjusted or canceled due to unforeseen circumstances, such as COVID-19 or other emergencies.
Decisions on unlisted matters are at the discretion of the organizers.
Categories with insufficient participants may be combined for judging.
Awards and privileges are subject to change based on organizer circumstances.
The organizers are not responsible for any disadvantages from missed website announcements.
Scholarships may be subject to tax deductions (varies by country)