Summer Academy 2025 | Vancouver Inter-Cultural Orchestra

VICO Summer Academy 2025

The Vancouver Inter-Cultural Orchestra (VICO) invites established and emerging musicians and composers to apply for the VICO Summer Academy, to be held May 26-June 7, 2025 in Vancouver, Canada. This innovative educational initiative offers hands-on experience in creating and performing intercultural music.

Space is limited, and the workshop spaces and instructional opportunities are tailored to the participating composers and musicians. Interested individuals should consider applying as soon as possible to allow for as much customization of the program to their needs as possible. The Summer Academy is open to composers and musicians aged 15 and up, of all nationalities and of every musical background.

About the Academy

Activities

Faculty

How to Apply

Tuition & Method of Payment

Contact Information

ABOUT THE ACADEMY

The 2025 Academy will be held from May 26 to June 7, 2025 at the VSO School of Music (843 Seymour St. in downtown Vancouver). The program offers training in two streams:

1. Composition:

- Introduction to three musical cultures
- Instruction on composing for non-Western instruments
- Instruction on intercultural orchestration
- Composition master classes and private lessons
- Opportunity to develop a new piece for intercultural chamber ensemble (see below); minimum 3 workshop sessions
- Professional concert performance and A/V recording of the composer’s new work by VICO
- Free admission to VICO Summer Concerts (May 31, June 6 & 7)

2. Performance:

Introduction to three musical cultures
Private instruction on instrument of study with world class faculty
Instruction on improvisation, intercultural ensemble skills
Aural skills training in specific world music traditions
Opportunity to perform in intercultural chamber ensemble
Free admission to VICO Summer Concerts (May 31, June 6 & 7)

NOTE: Performers may also apply for the “Simplified Performance Streams” to participate only in the ensemble rehearsal/performance component of the program.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPANTS

Participants should have a minimum of 4 to 5 years of private musical study or equivalent.

Applicants in the Performance or Simplified Performance stream need not read Western staff notation, but should be open to learning it during the course of study at the Academy.
Applicants in the Composition stream are typically fluent in Western staff notation, but if not – please specify on the registration form how you would communicate your score and ideas with the musicians you are writing for.

ACTIVITIES

1. Master Classes for Composers

Composers are invited to compose under the direction of established intercultural composers, then workshop their new compositions with professional VICO musicians, and attend the premiere performance. Composers will also receive digital documentation of their new work.

Each composer may compose/workshop or submit a 6-8 minute-long composition, using instruments from ONE of the following three groups (Tentet, Quartet A or Quartet B):

Tentet: Erhu, viola, bass, tar/setar, oud/tar, santoor, flutes (one player), clarinets (one player), sheng and percussion (one player). This ensemble will be led by a conductor.
Quartet A: intercultural instrumentation to be announced in January 2025
Quartet B: intercultural instrumentation to be announced in January 2025

*For brief introductions to these instruments, click here.

2. Ensemble & Master Classes for Instrumentalists

Musicians performing any type of musical instrument – Western European orchestral instruments (e.g. clarinet, violin, cello) or non-Western traditional instruments (e.g. erhu, oud, accordion) – are invited to partake in hands-on workshops and master classes delving into topics such as: intercultural performance techniques, different improvisational styles, the musics of China and the Middle East and contemporary Western Classical music.

Participants will also have the opportunity to perform in an intercultural chamber ensemble under the mentorship of professional VICO musicians.

NOTE: As mentioned above, performers may also apply for the “Simplified Performance Stream” to participate only in the ensemble rehearsal/performance component of the program.

3. Lectures & Documentation

The Academy programme includes discussions on musics of different cultures, improvisational techniques, and intercultural composition. All workshops and performances will be documented (both audio & visual) for later reference.

4. Concert Series

The Academy programme includes a concert on May 31 at St Andrews Church (North Vancouver), and two final concerts on June 6 and 7 at the Orpheum Annex (downtown Vancouver).

5. Auditing / Part-time Attendance

The Summer Academy can accommodate auditors and part time applicants. For more information, please contact: info@vi-co.org.

6. Support for Applicants Seeking Grant Funding to Attend

VICO can assist with a letter of invitation for applicants’ grant applications, if the request is received at least 1 week before the letter is required. Please contact us at info@vi-co.org with the details.

FACULTY

…will be announced soon. Watch this space!

HOW TO APPLY

Application deadline:

EARLY BIRD deadline (tuition discount available): March 28, 2025
Final deadline: April 25, 2025

1. Interested composers and performers are asked to fill out and submit the online application form here.

2. E-mail ONE letter of support (from a teacher, colleague or similar – someone who is knowledgeable about your background and skills, and can speak to how participating in the Academy would benefit you as an artist) to info@vi-co.org. *Not required for the Performance or Simplified Performance stream

3. A non-refundable registration fee of $100 is required; please submit payment via Paypal (sales@vi-co.org if you have a Paypal account, or with a credit card via the Paypal button below).

4. Academy staff will follow up on your application within 1 week of receipt, to confirm your participation or request further information if needed.

TUITION & METHOD OF PAYMENT

Tuition:

1. Early bird rate (application accepted & tuition paid in full by April 11, 2025):

- Performance Stream: $850 CAD
- Simplified Performance Stream: $350 CAD
- Composers writing for Quartet A or quartet B: $850 CAD
- Composers writing for Tentet: $950 CAD

2. Regular rate (application accepted & tuition paid in full by May 9, 2025):

- - Performance Stream: $950 CAD
  - Simplified Performance Stream: $450 CAD
  - Composers writing for Quartet A or Quartet B: $950 CAD
  - Composers writing for tentet: $1,050 CAD

Scholarships:

The VICO is pleased to offer one full scholarship to our 2025 Summer Academy for a current VSO School of Music student interested in either the Performance or Composition stream. If you would like to be considered for this scholarship, please indicate your association with the VSO School of Music where requested on the Academy application form linked above.

Some partial scholarships are also available, and are offered on a first-come-first-served basis. Part-time attendance may also be possible for a reduced cost. If interested in these options, please contact info@vi-co.org to inquire.

Payment Deadlines:

Once accepted into the Academy, payment of tuition is required via Paypal, cheque, money order or wire transfer before April 11, 2025 (for the early bird rate) or May 9, 2025 (for the regular rate).

Please note: in the case of cancellation by the participant, tuition is non-refundable after May 16, 2025.

METHOD OF PAYMENT – Registration Fee & Tuition

Please select the appropriate option from the dropdown menu and then click “Pay Now” to enter Paypal or credit card information.