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.

If you did not receive the newsletter, please notify the Information Coordinator and add info.bcrmta.vanbby@gmail.com to your contacts.  Thank you. 

October Newsletter

 

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events
  • October 19: "The Many Hats of the Professional Musician: Strategies for Emerging Musical Leaders"Zoom Workshop with Christopher Fisher
  • 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 7: Winter Luncheon (More info on Time/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.  Notices
1) Does your student use music to serve their community? Encourage them to apply for the BCRMTA Musical Community Service Award. The next application deadline is May 1, 2027. Please click here for eligibility and application details.
 
2) Our former long-time member, Ona Cropper, passed away earlier this year. Her tribute can be found in our memorial project here.
 
3) The minutes of the September 20 Provincial Council meeting are now posted in the Members Only section. Please contact our webmaster for the password.
 
4) Registration for the following events are now open!
- Oct 19th Zoom Workshop with Christopher Fisher
- Nov 20th Piano Masterclass with Ellen Silverman 

- Nov 21st-22nd CMW festival 2026
- Nov 29th Winter Student Recital 

Please scroll down to find more details on these events and their registration deadlines.
 
 
 
2.  Canada Music Week Festival 2026
 

 
Registration for this year's Canada Music Week (CMW) Festival is now open!
  • Festival Dates: November 21-22, 2026
  • Registration Deadline: October 15, 2026
  • Festival Committee: Emily Ko, Joanna Yeh
 
Please visit the CMW Festival website for more details and registration

 

 
 
3.  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.
 
📅 Monday, October 19, 2026
🕥 10:30 AM –12:00 PM
📍 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.com and set the e-transfer password to the following: bcrmtavb

 

 
4.  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 everyone to attend as observers free of charge. 

Performers must be students of BCRMTA Vancouver/Burnaby Branch members and must be playing RCM Level 7 or higher repertoire for consideration.

👉🏻Please click here for more information and to RSVP

Masterclass submission deadline: October 15, 2026

📅 Friday, November 20, 2026
 
 
 
5.  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 deadline: October 31, 2026, 10:00 PM PST
 
Please read the Student Recital Rules & Regulations thoroughly.
 
 
 
6.  2027 SPG Festival
 
 

The Student Performers' Guild (SPG) Festival 2027 is 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!

 
 
 
7.  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.
 
 
 
8.  Winter Luncheon
 
 
Celebrate the season at our annual Winter Luncheon on December 7th, with good company and plenty of holiday cheer!
 
📅 Monday, December 7, 2026
🕥 Time: TBD
📍 Location: TBD
 
More details coming soon!

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!