VSO School of Music Bursaries

The VSO School of Music is proud to provide access to music lessons and programs to families in need of financial assistance. The bursary committee evaluates applications using a pre-determined scoring matrix to award recipients based foremost on financial need, with secondary consideration given to musical experience level and achievement.

Bursaries must be used in the term(s) for which they are awarded and cannot be exchanged for any other VSO School of Music class or program. Any student receiving a bursary must meet the expectations of the studio teacher for the student’s progress and attendance, or the bursary may be withdrawn.

The Bursary Committee reviews applications in advance of each academic term throughout the year:

• PRISMA Tour applications: April 24th deadline
• 2026 Summer Term applications: June 1, 2026 deadline
• Fall term and Full year applications:
  – First intake: June 1st deadline
  – Depending on available funding, applications may be considered in a second intake: August 17th deadline
• Winter term applications: November 1st deadline
• Spring term applications: February 1st deadline

Apply for a VSO School of Music Bursary

We are grateful for the establishment of the following bursaries for VSO School of Music students:

• The HSBC Bursary Fund (for students age 5-12yrs)
• The George & Mary Anne Sigal Fund (for students up to age 18yrs)
• The Leon & Joan Tuey Bursary Fund (for youth)

VSO School of Music Awards

We are grateful for the establishment of the following for VSO School of Music students:

• The Hoing Family Foundation:
  – Surrey High School Student Fund
  – Exceptional Talent Fund 
• The Youtz Family Performance Prep Program Scholarship
• VSO School Jazz Pathways Award
• Peter and Mary Brunold Award for the Advancement of Classical Music Making
• The Santa Cecilia Scholarship

The VSO School of Music currently awards scholarships as part of our annual Future of Excellence Competition, the VSO School of Music Festivals for Strings and Piano, and to students of the Performance Prep Program. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of musical achievement and the associated stipulations.

Now accepting Scholarship applications for the following. Application deadline 11:59 PM on Monday June 1, 2026:

The VSO School Jazz Pathways Award will provide five VSO School Jazz students with $2,000 each towards programs at the VSO School of Music, through the generous support of an anonymous donor. The VSO School Awards Committee will make their determination based on the applicants’ musical skills and community involvement and leadership. Preference will be given to those who, due to financial constraints, would otherwise not have the opportunity to pursue advanced and substantive course opportunities at the VSO School of Music.

• Participants must be VSO School of Music students who currently or previously have been registered in the Jazz Studies program
• Must be looking to pursue a higher education in a music-related program at a Canadian Institution or have ambitions to become a professional in a music-related area
• Must display musicianship, leadership (school involvement, commitment to their learning) as well as financial need
• To apply, applicants are to submit all of the following:
  • A 5 minute video demonstrating their musicianship skills
  • A written or verbal (recorded) testimony of their future goals and why the award would assist them, including an explanation of any financial need, and how the VSO School of Music helped them formulate their goals
  • One reference letter outlining their musicianship and dedication to community engagement

The Peter and Mary Brunold Award for the Advancement of Classical Music Making is in the amount of $7,500 and awarded annually to a VSO School of Music student. The award was created to support talented and dedicated Canadian musicians who must demonstrate their commitment and talent as well as the financial need to pursue the study and performance of classical music.

• Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Must demonstrate commitment & talent as well as financial need (proof of family income required)
• Must be accepted into a post secondary institution in the field of classical music study

The Santa Cecilia Scholarship, in the amount of $5,000, is awarded annually to a student from the VSO School of Music for the purpose of advancing their education at an internationally acclaimed music school.

• Must be under 25 years old
• Must have first-class Honors grades from ARCT exam or equivalent certification
• Must be accepted into a post secondary institution in the field of classical music study

Apply for a VSO School of Music Scholarship

If you have any questions, please contact Amy Takahashi Brown.