After a century of promoting excellence in music education, the Vancouver/Burnaby Branch is proud to celebrate our long and venerable history. We hope you enjoy the following presentation of archival documents and historical events.
If you have programs, pictures, or other memorabilia to add, please email webmaster@bcrmta.org.
Jon Kimura Parker . . .
"I was very much astounded to know that the Vancouver/Burnaby Branch of the BCRMTA has been around for a hundred years; that’s something to truly celebrate. Congratulations on your centennial anniversary!"
1920 to 2020 ~ Centennial Scrapbook
Vancouver/Burnaby Branch: Celebrating Our Past and Future
On Sunday May 15, 2022, Vancouver/Burnaby Branch members, retired teachers, sponsors, and guests gathered in honour of our 100th Anniversary. The Centennial Scrapbook commemorates both the event itself as well as a century of dedication to the musical community with pictures of the reception, speeches, raffle prize details and more.
Click here to view the Centennial Scrapbook.
Click here to view the May 15, 2022 program.
1920 to 1923 - Founding Documents
On November 4 1920, a group of dedicated educators met in the Board of Trade Building in Vancouver to form the Vancouver Music Teachers’ Association. After several months of meetings, the Association applied for and received a Certificate of Incorporation on April 28, 1921. Two years later, the name was officially changed to The British Columbia Music Teachers' Federation.
Click here to view the documents of incorporation.
1920 to 2023 - Boards of Directors
For 100 years, the volunteers on the Boards of Directors have provided invaluable service to the Branch. Their dedication and vision have fostered generations of music teachers and through them, many thousands of students. We are all indebted to those who came before, as well as those who will be coming next.
Click here to view a list of the Boards.
1932 - Formation of the BC Registered Music Teachers' Association
In 1932, Branches of private music teachers from across the Province joined together to form the BC Registered Music Teachers’ Association. The Vancouver Branch became part of District 2 which included Burnaby, New Westminster, Surrey, the North Shore, and Richmond. The Surrey teachers formed their own branch in 1962, and the North Shore and Richmond members did the same in 1971.
Click here to visit the BCRMTA Provincial website.
1935 - Formation of the Canadian Federation of Registered Music Teachers' Association
In 1935, the BCRMTA joined with associations from Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba to found the Federation of Music Teachers' Associations - later called the Canadian Federation of Registered Music Teachers' Association or CFMTA. The group continued to expand in the following decades and currently includes all ten Provinces as well as the Yukon and Northwest Territories. The CFMTA provides professional development programs for their members and competitive/educational opportunities for their students. It also represents the interests of private music teachers across the country and in the 1990's it was responsible for lobbying on their behalf for exception of GST on music lessons.
Click here to visit the CFMTA website.
1941 - The Student Performers' Guild Festival
The Student Performers’ Guild Festival (SPG) has a long and proud history in the Vancouver/Burnaby Branch's story. Since 1941, it has nurtured young musicians on a variety of instruments, mostly piano but also voice, violin, guitar, and accordion.
Click here to read more about the history of the SPG.
Click here to visit the SPG page on our website.
1947 - BC Registered Music Teachers' Act
In 1947 the BC Registered Music Teachers' Association, of which the Vancouver/Burnaby Branch is a member, received a provincial legislative charter and the bylaws of our Association were set up according to the provisions of Section 10 of "An Act Respecting British Columbia Registered Music Teachers' Association".
Click here to view the original charter document.
1960 - 40th Anniversary Celebration
Counting from the year of inception, 1920, the Branch held a 40th Anniversary Celebration at Harmony Hall in Vancouver on November 25, 1960. The evening had performances and speeches as well as a panel discussion on “Music in Canada”.
Click here to view the program and a list of presidents from 1920-1959.
1960/61 - The Student Teachers' Auxiliary
The Vancouver/Burnaby Branch of the BCRMTA has had an active Student Teacher Auxiliary (STA) for decades. While the group has fluctuated in its membership, it has consistently mirrored the parent branch with monthly meetings, guest speakers, and student recitals.
Click here to read about the history of the STA.
Click here to visit the STA page on our website.
1966 - BCRMTA Provincial Convention
In 1966, the Vancouver Branch hosted the Provincial Convention at the Hotel Georgia in downtown Vancouver. The event started with An Evening of Opera, and continued for three days with masterclasses, a variety of forums and lectures, as well as a luncheons and concerts.
Click here to view the complete program.
1974 to 2022 - List of Meeting Topics
There are two logbooks for the Branch dating 1974 to 1997 and 1998 to 2020. Inside each are lists/signatures of attendees at monthly meetings, executive meetings and workshops.
Click here for a list of meeting topics and presenters.
Click here to view selected pages from the 1974-1997 Logbook.
1985 - CFMTA Convention Hosted in Vancouver
In 1985, the Vancouver Branch hosted the CFMTA Convention "Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow" at the UBC School of Music. The event kicked off with a reception on the Monday night and was followed by four days of piano/string/vocal workshops, lectures, and concerts with Jane Coop, Robert Rogers, Michael Conway Baker, Dr. Rita Steblin, Bruce Pullan, Gerald Stanick, Philip Tillotson and others.
Click here to view the program.
1989 - Vancouver Branch Winner of the B.C. Piano Competition
In 1989, Tara Yong ,a student of Nan Gorringe, won the B.C. Piano Competition. She was presented in concert along with the UBC Chamber Music Ensemble.
Click here to view the program.
1992 - Anton Kuerti Recital
On September 11, 1992, Anton Kuerti played a fantastic recital for the BCRMTA teachers and guests at Douglas College in New Westminster; an insightful masterclass followed the next day.
Click here to view the recital program.
1992 - A Musical Soirée
On Sunday May 24, 1992 A Musical Soirée showcased the talents of Branch members at the UBC Recital Hall in aid of our scholarship fund. The audience was treated to an engaging selection of solo piano, duo piano and vocal works performed by Marilyn Glazer and Lester Soo, Cheryl Carruthers, David Vandereyk and Gaye Alcott, Dorina Fortune-Shorey, Edward Parker, Daniel Quong, Dorothy Uytengsu and Janice Girard, Marina Vinnitsky and Allan Polyakova, Colette Forer, Sze-Lok Wong, and Sandra Tong.
Click here to view the recital program and performer bios.
1995 - Gala Dinner
The January 28, 1995 Gala Dinner was a unique networking opportunity for members featuring a delicious meal and delightful entertainment.
Click here to view the Gala program.
1996 - 75th Anniversary Commission “Bonne Fête!” By Ramona Luengen
Using the 1921 date of incorporation, the Branch celebrated its 75th Anniversary in 1996 with a commission from local composer Ramona Luengen. Entitled “Bonne Fête!”, this intermediate piano piece has hints of “Happy Birthday” and was featured in the SPG Canadian Class of that year. The score is available for purchase from the composer, visit www.ramonaluengen.com to email your request.
Click here to view a recording of “Bonne Fête" performed by Ivy Lin, the Vancouver/Burnaby representative for the 2020 BC Piano Competition.
1996 - Mozart and Musicianship
"Mozart and Musicianship" was advertised as an opportunity to “invest in a day of professional development, meet colleagues, and learn from master teachers”. It featured clinicians Verna Jacoubsen and Dr. Anthony Dawson at the Sutton Hotel in Vancouver on Saturday January 26, 1996.
Click here to view the brochure.
1996-1998 International Workshop Series
From 1996 to 1998, the Vancouver Branch hosted the International Workshop Series. This very popular endeavour brought widely recognized pedagogues to Vancouver to perform recitals and present masterclasses. We were fortunate to have benefited from the knowledge of Ruth Laredo, Phyllis Alpert Lehrer, Ingrid Clarfield, Nelita True, Boris Berman, David Dubal, and Paul Stewart.
Click here to view the 1997-1998 brochure.
2016 - BCRMTA Convention Music: Where We Belong
For two years, the Vancouver Branch Convention Committee dedicated themselves to organizing the BCRMTA Convention “Music: Where We Belong”. The title was Mary Tickner’s suggestion and the name aptly captured the essence of the event. It was an action packed weekend full of camaraderie, inspiration, and enjoyment.
Click here to view the complete conference program.
2017 - Canada 150: A Multicultural Celebration
In honour of Canada’s 150th anniversary, the Branch brought together a varied selection of music and dance to mirror the multi-cultural texture of our nation.
Click here to view the concert program.
2018 - The Vancouver/Burnaby Branch takes a new name!
In 2018, the Vancouver Branch was renamed the Vancouver/Burnaby Branch to better reflect the teaching locations of the majority of the membership.
2018 - The Canada Music Week Festival
The Canada Music Week Festival was founded in 2018 to celebrate and promote Canadian music in our community. It is held each November during Canada Music Week at the Canadian Music Centre in downtown Vancouver and features works composed or arranged by Canadian composers. All instruments and styles are welcome as solos or ensembles.
Click here for more information on the CMW Festival.
2019 - Vancouver/Burnaby Branch Winner of the B.C. Piano Competition
In 2018, Annie Can a student of David Vandereyk, won the B.C. Piano Competition; she was presented in recital in May of 2019.
Click here to view the program.
2020 ~ Vancouver/Burnaby Branch Celebrates its Centennial Anniversary
Since 1920, the Vancouver/Burnaby Branch has supported its teachers with pride and enthusiasm, and our centennial year was no exception. The anniversary was celebrated with a series of online events open to all RMT's including: a Q&A session with Jon Kimura Parker; a Composers’ Forum featuring Christine Donkin, Alexina Louie, and David L. McIntyre; and six workshops on a variety of national and international musical exam systems. Once Covid restrictions were lifted, the Branch gathered on May 15, 2022 with guests and former members to mark the occasion in person.
Click here to view the Centennial Scrapbook with pictures, speeches and more.
25 and 50 Year Membership Pins
Each year the BCRMTA acknowledges members who have belonged to the Assocation for 25 and 50 years.
Click here to view the list of Vancouver/Burnaby Branch pin recipients (up to and including 2022) and the year in which they were acknowledged.