New in 2026!

New registration system!

Based on participant feedback from last year, we’ll be adopting a new registration platform - Ciniki - to make the registration process clearer and simpler for everyone.

Festival Dates: April 7 – May 3, 2026

Registration Opens: November 17, 2025

Registration Closes: January 18, 2026

staff changes

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Vicki Cummings, who will be stepping down as Executive Director after six years of dedicated service. Vicki’s steady leadership guided VKMF through the COVID pandemic, ensuring the organization’s financial security and growing participation to over 6,000 participants last year. All the best to her as she moves forward!

We are delighted to introduce the new VKMF team:

Krista Pederson – Executive Director/Solo & Small Ensembles Coordinator

Sara Ramsay – Large Ensembles Coordinator / Development Coordinator

Franki Katz – Volunteer Coordinator / Development Coordinator

2026 NEW CLASSES

We’re thrilled to welcome two celebrated Canadian composers as piano adjudicators:

Christine Donkin

John Burge

To celebrate their visit, we’re offering new Non-competitive classes:

  • Piano Music of John Burge

  • Piano Music of Christine Donkin

  • Composition with John Burge

  • Composition with Christine Donkin

Note: Christine Donkin has kindly provided VKMF with some score of her compositions that are not included in the RCM Syllabus - for workshop use only. To receive these scores in order to prepare and perform one of them in one of her classes, please email krista.pederson@vkmfestivals.org

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For the composition classes, you may choose one of the following options:

1. MIDI Submission with Adjudication 

  • Submit a MIDI recording and score by March 15, 2026.

  • Adjudication will be at your scheduled class time.

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2. Live Performance with Adjudication

  • Submit your score by March 15, 2026. (Score recommended not mandatory for Junior Classes)

  • Present a live performance of your composition at your scheduled class time. 

  • Adjudication will be at your scheduled class time.

View Syllabus

NEW DIVISION - SPEECH ARTS

We’re excited to introduce a brand-new division to our Solo Festival! Speech Arts has been a popular discipline at the Provincial festival (PABC), and we’re delighted to now offer it at VKMF. Please refer to the VKMF and RCM syllabi for guidance in preparing for this new division.

VKMF Syllabus
RCM Syllabus

FINAL CONCERT & AWARDS NIGHT RETURNS!

We’re delighted to announce the return of the VKMF Final Concert & Awards Night in May - a special evening to celebrate the brilliant performances of the festival and to honour our 2026 award winners. More details to come!