Student Composer Masterclasses at the CMC

Presented by the BCRMTA Student Composers’ Club in partnership with the Canadian Music Centre (CMC)

The BCRMTA Student Composers’ Club and the Canadian Music Centre invite all students of BCRMTA and STA members to submit their original compositions for an exciting masterclass opportunity with award-winning composer Rodney Sharman.

This event will take place Saturday, May 3rd, 2026, from 2:00–5:00 PM at the Canadian Music Centre, 837 Davie Street, Vancouver.

Six compositions will be selected to be featured in the masterclass. Students may submit works for any combination of instruments. Pieces must be 3–8 minutes in length.

Submission Requirements

  • A written, notated score (Musescore, Sibelius, etc.) is required for all works except those composed in a DAW.
  • A recording link must be provided for all compositions.
  • For DAW compositions, a DAWcast recording link must be included so the composer mentor can view instrument/track timelines.
  • Works must be performed live by the student or presented as a recording with the supplied score.

Age Categories

  • Students aged 10–15
  • Students aged 16–20

Entry Fee: $39
Submission Deadline: March 15, 2026
Selected participants notified by: April 1, 2026

Adjudication & Livestream

  • Registrants who are not selected for one of the six masterclass spots will receive a written adjudication of their submitted work.
  • The event will be broadcast live via Zoom so students may invite family and friends to watch remotely.
  • A Zoom link will be provided to all applicants closer to the event date.
  • Only selected entrants are required to attend the event in person on May 3rd, 2026.
    (Non-selected entrants are welcome to watch the event via Zoom, but attendance is not required.)

We look forward to celebrating the creativity and imagination of young composers from across our community.

Additional Notes

  • Light refreshments will be provided.
  • Selected compositions, scores, and recordings will be forwarded to composer Rodney Sharman prior to the event.

Student Information

Word limit 150 words
Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload
Limit 2 mb - 2000 kb

Teacher Information

Composition Submission

3 - 8 minutes
Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload
Max 5 mb - (Required unless composed in a DAW)

Please provide a link to an audio or video recording of your composition. This may be a performance or a digital rendering. Acceptable link types include (but are not limited to):

  • YouTube (public or unlisted)
  • Google Drive / OneDrive / Dropbox
  • SoundCloud
  • Vimeo
  • Private website or shared streaming link

Please ensure:

  • The link is accessible without a password,
  • Sharing permissions are set to “Anyone with the link can view”, and
  • Audio quality is clear enough for adjudication.

Performance Format

During the event, the BCRMTA and the Canadian Music Centre may take photographs or short video clips for promotional, archival, and social media use.

Parental/Guardian Information & Consent

(Required for students under 18)

What is 7+4?

$0.00