Check below for the latest news and announcements concerning Branch activities.

For full details on Branch events CLICK HERE to access the Branch calendar.

Posts not directly related to the Branch may be found/listed on the Branch Facebook page, CLICK HERE to be redirected.

September Newsletter

 

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events
  • September 18: "Piano Teaching Tricks I Have Learned Over the Years" Workshop with Dr. John Burge
  • September 18-19: BCRMTA Junior Piano Competition and Multidiscipline Competition
  • October Fridays: Alexander Technique Lessons (Registration Deadline: September 20, 2026)
  • October 19: "The Many Hats of the Professional Musician: Strategies for Emerging Musical Leaders"Zoom Workshop with Christopher Fisher
  • October-November: String Chamber Music Program (Registration deadline: September 21, 2026)
  • November 20: Piano Masterclass with Ellen Silverman (Masterclass Submission deadline: October 15, 2026)
  • November 21-22: Canada Music Week Festival 2026 (Registration deadline: October 15, 2026)
  • November 29: Winter Student Recital (Registration Deadline: October 31, 2026 at 10:00pm PST)
  • December: Winter Luncheon (More info on Date/Location coming soon!)
  • February 16–20, 2027: 2027 SPG Festival
 
*All branch events can be found on our website at https://bcrmta.org/branch-calendar/

 

 

 

1.  September 18th "Piano Teaching Tricks I Have Learned Over the Years" Workshop with Dr. John Burge 

Dr. John Burge reflects on the outstanding piano teachers who influenced his musical journey in Calgary and at the University of Toronto, as well as the inspiring teachers he observed working with his son in private lessons and masterclasses.

In this lively presentation, John will share and demonstrate some of the most memorable teaching ideas he encountered. Although the focus is on piano teaching, the ideas will appeal to music teachers of all kinds, with plenty of insight and a few laughs along the way.

We warmly invite you to join us for this engaging and informative session.

Date: Friday, September 18, 2026

Time: 10:30 AM –12:00 PM

Place: Tom Lee Music - 728 Granville Street, Vancouver

RSVP Information: 
  • To reserve your spot - RSVP by clicking on this link
  • Free for all BCRMTA Vancouver/Burnaby Branch members
  • Cost for non-branch members: $10.00 Cdn. Fill out this RSVP form and e-transfer your fee to our Treasurer's email:  treasurer.bcrmta.vanbby@gmail.com and set the e-transfer password to the following: bcrmtavb

2.  September 18th - 19th BCRMTA Junior Piano Competition and Multidiscipline Competition

 

We invite our members to enjoy the performances of talented young musicians at the BCRMTA Competitions. Our branch is proud to be represented by Melody Zhu in the Junior Piano Competition and Verity Leung in the Multidiscipline Competition.

For more information and tickets, please visit the BCRMTA Competition website.

3. October Alexander Technique Lessons
One of the benefits our members enjoy is the opportunity to experience the Alexander Technique, a means of enhancing a balanced and natural approach to music making and life in general. These helpful lessons have been subsidized by the Branch's "Ten Year Surplus Plan", a means of distributing the substantial accumulation of funds for the benefit of our branch members. 

This set of Alexander Technique Instruction will occur in October 2026 and will include four 90-minute lessons with registered Alexander Technique instructor Michael Mah in the City Hall area (Cambie & Broadway). Participating teachers will experience a taste of the method, and once the sessions are complete, they can decide to continue with private lessons for more in depth learning. Classes are not available to STA members.

 Priority will be given to members of the Vancouver/Burnaby Branch who have not yet attended a session. If space remains, members who have previously participated in these lessons will be offered a spot. A lottery will take place if there are more interested participants than spots available. 

Cost: $60.00 per participant (maximum 6 participants per class)

Lesson Dates: October 2, 9, 16, 23, 2026 (all Fridays)
Time:10:30 AM -12:00 PM
Location: West Broadway & Cambie area; address will be provided once the participants have been finalized
Registration Deadline: September 20, 2026 

4. BCRMTA Chamber Music Program 2026
Encourage Your Students to Join Our Fall String Chamber Music Program! 
 
We’re thrilled to announce the relaunch of our branch's String Chamber Music Program this Fall — exclusively for students of our branch members!

This exciting initiative is a wonderful opportunity for your students to:

Play in small string ensembles
Build ensemble and collaboration skills
Deepen their love for chamber music

The program is open to string players with at least 3 years of private lessons, and will culminate in a performance at our branch's Winter Student Recital on November 29, 2026.

We encourage you to share this opportunity with your students and their families as soon as possible — space is limited and registration deadline is approaching fast!

Thank you for helping us bring chamber music to life for the next generation.

 

5.  Canada Music Week Festival 2026

Registration for this year's Canada Music Week (CMW) Festival will be open on September 15, 2026
  • Festival Dates: November 21-22, 2026
  • Registration Dates: September 15 to October 15, 2026
  • Festival Committee: Emily Ko, Joanna Yeh
Please visit the CMW Festival website for more details and registration
6. October 19th"The Many Hats of the Professional Musician: Strategies for Emerging Musical Leaders"
Workshop with Christopher Fisher (Zoom)
Musicians wear many hats and juggle myriad responsibilities while developing what is often a portfolio career. This interactive session will explore the joys and challenges young professionals often encounter and will present powerful yet practical strategies for meeting these demands all while finding meaning and creating impact in their work.
 
Date: Monday, October 19, 2026
Time: 10:30 AM –12:00 PM
Place: On Zoom 
 
RSVP Information: 
  • For more information and to reserve your spot - Click on this link
  • Free for all BCRMTA Vancouver/Burnaby Branch members
  • Cost for non-branch members: $10.00 Cdn. Fill out this RSVP form and e-transfer your fee to our Treasurer's email: treasurer.bcrmta.vanbby@gmail.comand set the e-transfer password to the following: bcrmtavb
7.  November 20th  Piano Masterclass with Ellen Silverman
Join us for a special BCRMTA Vancouver/Burnaby Branch Fall 2026 Masterclass featuring Ellen Silverman, an accomplished pianist, chamber musician, adjudicator, and longtime piano educator. Ellen served as Coordinator of the Piano Department at Douglas College for 32 years, while maintaining an active performing and teaching career in Vancouver and beyond.

This masterclass is open to teachers who wish to attend as observers and/or submit students playing RCM Level 7 or higher repertoire for consideration.

Pleaseclick here for more information and to RSVP

Masterclass submissiondeadline: October 15, 2026

 Date: Friday, November 20, 2026
8.  Winter Student Recital - November 29, 2026
We are pleased to offer two students recitals annually. There is no cost to participate in these events.
 
The upcoming Winter Student Recital will take place on Sunday, November 29, 2026 at City Baptist Church. 
 
Registration will open on October 1, 2026.
Registration deadline: October 31, 2026, 10:00 PM PST
 
Please read the Student Recital Rules & Regulations thoroughly.
9.  2027 SPG Festival 

The Student Performers' Guild (SPG) Festival 2027is well on its way! We are pleased to share that the Festival will take place February 16–20, 2027, with registration opening on December 1, 2026.

As you begin selecting repertoire and planning your students’ preparation for the coming year, please take note of the following regarding the Beverley Kagnoff Award:

  • Each year, the Committee selects a class category in which a $40.00 award is given to the student achieving the highest mark at each level, from Level 1 through Level 12.
  • For the 2027 Festival, the selected class category is 20th/21st CENTURY.

Please keep this in mind as you work with your students on repertoire selection and preparation this fall.

We look forward to another wonderful SPG Festival in 2027!

 

10.  2026 Teacher Professional Development Grant

The Professional Development Grant was established in 2018 to support members of the BCRMTA Vancouver/Burnaby Branch in their efforts to continue their professional development. Each year, a portion of the funds from the 10 Year Surplus Plan are designated for disbursal. The amount distributed to each individual depends on the number of applications and the amounts submitted, maximums are in place.
 

Application Deadline: December 15, 2026

*Please note that only Vancouver/Burnaby Branch members in good standing for 22 consecutive months are eligible for the funds - honorary members and STA members may not apply.

For guidelines and application form, visit the branch website for full details.

Recital Spaces with our Sponsor ~ Available for Members

Tom Lee Music Experience Centre, 728 Granville Street

50 seat venue with a Steinway concert grand. Contact Aida Liang for booking at aida.liang@tomleemusic.ca, 604-685-8471. Hours: M-Sat, 10:30am-1:30pm, or 2:30pm-5:30pm, Sun 11:30am-2:30pm, or 1:30pm-4:30pm, usage fee is $400 for 3 hours minimum, plus $100 extra for each additional hour.  No food or drinks allowed in the venue.  For the 2nd grand piano there is a set up fee of $150 for moving and setup.  Piano tuning is $175 per piano plus taxes.

 

  Showcase Pianos, 1128 West Broadway #1

90 seat venue with a Fazioli Model F278 concert grand. Contact the Academy for booking at 604-683-0300. Cost is $187.50/hr + tax; flexible availability. Teachers are invited to tour the show room at any time!