ABOUT US
Vancouver Westcoast Music Society (VWMS) supports young, aspiring musicians in all classical music disciplines to further their training and education by awarding annual scholarships and bursaries. We provide our award winners the opportunity to perform before an appreciative audience.
Scholarships and Bursaries
VWMS runs scholarship competitions under three categories—vocal, piano and orchestral instruments —with each category held every third year. Bursary competitions are held yearly and are open to all classical music disciplines. Eligibility criteria apply to each category, as outlined on our Competition page. The three top winners in each competition receive cash awards. All competitions are adjudicated by qualified judges.
Photo credit: Michelle Koebke, Diamond’s Edge Photography
Concerts
Our concert season runs from September until June. Concerts are at the Unitarian Church in Vancouver, B. C. featuring both award-winning students and occasionally guest musicians. The Society's 100-plus members and visitors enjoy monthly concerts followed by a refreshment hour, when members can socialize and meet the artists. Concerts are open to the public with tickets available at the door. All events are advertised on the VWMS website and social media.
History of VWMS
In 1905, the VWMS began as the Vancouver Women's Musical Club. In 1906, Esther Beecher Weld and Mrs. Walter Coulthard, mother of celebrated B.C. Composer Jean Coulthard, guided the incorporation of the Club. With help of other dedicated women, they elected officers and created the by-laws that set out the Club objectives.
Working with similar musical organizations, the Club engaged performing artists of international repute. Among the famous performers presented were Pederewski, Mischa Elman, Josef Hofmann, William Primrose, and Ernestine Schumann-Heink.
A significant step in the life of the Club was the creation of a Scholarship Fund in 1923. This fund helped many careers, including artists Donald Bell, Jean Coulthard, Barbara Custance, Ben Heppner, Desmond and Gwen Hoebig, Don McManus, Arthur Polson, and other well known musicians. Eventually the Club sought out performers from the Canadian students who had benefited from its annual competitions, giving students the opportunity to construct a full program. In 1976, a memorial trust fund was added to provide bursaries for Canadian classical music students. In 2016, the Club changed its name to the Vancouver Women’s Musical Society.
VWMS Today
In 2022, the Society changed its name to the Vancouver Westcoast Music Society. Through donations, special events, fundraisers and competitions, the Society, a registered charity, has remained a strong and viable organization. We hold a yearly AGM before the June concert at which time members approve the financial statements and elect a new Board.
Since the creation of the scholarship and bursary funds, we have awarded over $300,000 to our talented students. In recent years we have assisted in the careers of brilliant musicians including Jon Kimura Parker, Jamie Parker, the Chooi brothers (Timothy and Nikki), Avan Yu, and many, many others.
Born in the early years of Vancouver, the Vancouver Westcoast Music Society claims a special and continuing place in the city's musical development and support of young talented musicians.
VWMS Landmark Anniversaries
VWMS celebrated its 80th and 90th anniversaries with special concerts featuring many well known artists. In 2006, our gala of all galas, celebrating our 100th anniversary, was held at the Vancouver Playhouse. The highlight featured Jamie Parker premiering a new piano composition by Alexina Louis, who was commissioned to produce the work for the Centennial. The gala was a memorable occasion followed by a lively reception.
Throughout the anniversary year, various celebrations were held including a concert honouring the memory of Jean Coulthard, our 1923 scholarship winner. To further celebrate our Centennial, VWMS commissioned Jason Nett to compose a new work, performed by the VSO the same year.
