Welcome to the 119th Season

The VWMS is thrilled to launch its 118th season a fresh roster of returning artists as well as talented young musicians who are giving their debut in our concert series, including prizewinners from our bursary and scholarship competitions from previous seasons!

The Vancouver Westcoast Music Society is committed to inclusion and diversity, whilst continuing to meet its mission of supporting and encouraging young, talented BC based musicians.

This season, we have nine spectacular recitals planned for our members and single ticket holders to enjoy. Every membership purchased helps the VWMS give financial aid and performance experience to deserving young artists. In return, members get to enjoy these recitals at no extra cost.

Concerned that you might not be able to attend in person, due to conflicts or health or distance? Not an issue: members can enjoy ALL nine recitals via our website until July 31 each season. Members can even live anywhere in Canada, support young musicians AND enjoy all the recital perks.

Missed a recital last season? New to the society? Want to enjoy a recital again? We’ve got you covered.

Annually, the VWMS sponsors two competitions: a Bursary Competition designed to help musicians in post-secondary programs, and a Scholarship Program for young emerging professional musicians. This season, we hope to award a total of $17,000.00 to these amazing artists. In addition to the award monies, we provide our winners the opportunity to perform a one-hour recital for an appreciative audience.

WHY BECOME A MEMBER? Membership fees go towards helping the VWMS support young musicians with Scholarship and Bursary awards. Winners use these funds to pay for training, instrument upgrades, audition tours, summer programs and more. As a member, you have a positive impact in the lives of BC musicians. Guests may only enjoy a recital once - on line or in person. Members have the chance to enjoy any recital, as many times as they wish, for the entire season. There are additional perks to membership: members get private access to enjoy some of our previous season’s recitals, members receive promo codes for VWMS events presented online, and members receive two guest passes that can be used for any in person or online regular recital.

VWMS 119th Season

Members only concerts

Fully Hybrid Season for the VWMS
Membership has more perks than ever before

The VWMS is excited to announce that our 119th season will be presented in a fully hybrid format!

Each recital will be filmed during its live performance at the Unitarian Church of Vancouver. Our Community Partner, Diamond’s Edge Photography, will edit this recording into a fabulous digital concert.

Members have the choice to attend the recital IN PERSON… or watch ANY TIME, ALL SEASON ONLINE. All eight recitals will be available for member access and enjoyment until July31, 2024. Watch when you want, where you want, as many times as you want.

Recitals will also be released online for a two-week viewing window, so that individual ticket holders may enjoy our incredible recent and past winners.

Each video also features a short, intimate interview with the performers.

Single ticket holders can apply their ticket price towards a full membership any time (contact us for rules and instructions).

In addition to our Individual and Family memberships, we are thrilled to offer Student and Institutional memberships. Email our President at vwmsinfo@gmail.com for more information.

Become a member now

DONATIONS

Fundraising for the scholarship and bursary funds is at the heart of the VWMS. Many talented young artists are faced with financial challenges. By supporting the VWMS, you will be helping many of these artists realize those dreams of establishing or continuing a career in music. Membership fees and ticket sales only cover a portion of our annual operating expenses. We rely on the generous ongoing financial support of our members and friends in order to provide these awards and a platform for winners to be presented in our annual concert series. What a privilege to know that you can make a difference and be an essential part of their musical development.

If you would like to honour the memory of someone dear, or recognize a special individual, please consider sponsoring an award in their name. We would be happy to assist you in establishing a named award for future competitions.Description text goes here
If you enjoy classical music, share our goals of supporting talented young artists, and wish to enrich our community with music, consider VWMS in your estate or planned giving. VWMS has an Endowment Fund – The Vancouver Westcoast Music Society Legacy Fund – with the Vancouver Foundation, to which you can donate cash, stocks or even life insurance. For further information please contact vwmsinfo@gmail.com. Your gift can help ensure the ongoing work of the VWMS that will benefit generations to come.

You can choose to donate to the “Society” or to the “Scholarship and Bursary Fund” or to “Sponsor or Co-Sponsor a Recital”. Official Income Tax Receipts are issued for donations over $20. Please make cheques payable to “Vancouver Westcoast Music Society.”