Scholarship Information
Scholarships for Current Students
Eligibility Criteria
Scholarships may be awarded to current students:
- At all levels of study who demonstrate talent, effort and/or achievement;
- Whose applications include instructor recommendations;
- Whose accounts at the Victoria Conservatory of Music are in good standing.
Scholarship winners may also apply for bursaries and receive financial aid if qualified.
How to Apply
Students submit a general application for scholarship awards via an online form during the application period. They need not specify the award(s) for which they are hoping to be considered. Applicants must have spoken to their primary instructor(s) for their recommendation before submitting.
Application Deadlines
Applications are accepted from March 1 to April 30 for all instruments (except an earlier April 23 deadline for Classical Piano and Strings). Notifications will be emailed by June 1.
How to Use your Scholarship
Individuals who are awarded scholarships will receive their prize as a credit on their Victoria Conservatory of Music account which can be applied towards future registrations or any other purchases at the Conservatory.
Decision Process
Scholarships applications are reviewed by a committee consisting of the Artistic Departments Heads. Applicants are assessed for merit and fit with individual scholarship criteria. Scholarships have varying criteria, as set by the founding donor(s). Based on the recommendations of this Committee, the recommended awards are reviewed by the Finance Department. Successful award winners will be notified by email and a credit in the amount of their award placed on their customer account.
Scholarships for Postsecondary Entrance (new students)
Eligibility criteria
Postsecondary entrance scholarships may be awarded to new applicants to the Victoria Conservatory of Music/Camosun’s postsecondary programs:
- At all levels of study who demonstrate talent, effort and/or achievement
How to Apply
All new applicants to the Postsecondary diploma or certificate programs will be considered for a scholarship, no separate application is required. Notifications will be emailed to scholarship winners by March 1.
How to Use Your Scholarship
Individuals who are awarded scholarships will receive their prize as a credit on their Victoria Conservatory of Music account which can be applied towards future registrations or any other purchases at the Conservatory, which, for Camosun student scholarship recipients, can be fully or partially transferred to their Camosun College student accounts.
A T4A will be issued for all scholarships over $500 received by postsecondary students in a calendar year.
Saying Thank You
Award recipients are encouraged to send a thank you letter to the donor responsible for their scholarship and to contribute some of their time and talent to the Conservatory as volunteers. For this purpose, the student’s name may be forwarded to the Volunteer Coordinator to perform at a Conservatory or community event during the year.
Available Scholarships
| Scholarship Name | Criteria | Approximate Value* | Number of Awards** |
| Alan Macey Fund | Post-secondary students | $1,000+ | |
| Alex Nicholls Scholarship | 15-30 year-old School of Contemporary Music student(s) | $500+ | 1 |
| Arthur Ernest Leeder, Estate of Scholarship | Piano students | $3,000+ | |
| Aundrea Dawn Grieve Memorial Scholarship | Unrestricted | $500+ | 1 |
| Austin Scott Flute Scholarship | Flute student | $200 – $400 | 1 |
| Beatty Viola/Chamber Music Scholarship | Viola or Chamber Music student | $200 – $400 | 1 |
| Cardo Smalley Violin Scholarship | Violin student | $200 | 1 |
| Carl Weiselberger Scholarship | Female piano student | $200 – $400 | 1 |
| Carol Clark Jesse Piano Scholarship | Classical Piano Student | $500+ | 1 |
| Catherine Gillespie Memorial Scholarship | Unrestricted | $200 – $400 | 2 |
| Catherine Mary Hummel Katarina Scholarship | Talented, emerging composer in the post-secondary program | $500+ | 1 |
| Catherine Young Voice Prize | Voice student | $200 | 1 |
| The David and Pep Groos Award | Voice student | $750 | 1 |
| David Foster Scholarship | Piano student who excels at sightreading | $200 – $400 | 1 |
| Dr. Lesley Hartford Harp Scholarship | Student showing promising musical talent for the harp | $200-$400 | 1 |
| Dr. Robin Wood Piano Scholarship | Outstanding Piano Student | $500 – $900 | 1 |
| Garth Gislason Voice Scholarship | Voice student | $100 | 1 |
| George Giles Award | For a graduating student of superior stature who is seen to have a bright career in music | $200 – $400 | 1 |
| Grant Family Scholarship | Applied to all accepted Collegium Program students | $1,000+ | |
| Gertrude Durand Memorial Scholarship | Piano Accompaniment | $500 – $900 | 1 |
| Jamie Syer Scholarship Fund | Collegium student; nominated by peers and instructors | $200 – $400 | 1 |
| JAYMAC Fund | Collegium Entrance scholarships | $800 – $3,000 | Variable |
| John Dyck Scholarship | Unrestricted | $100 | 1 |
| John Hayes Award | Unrestricted | $135 | 1 |
| Judith Rockwell Prize | Post-secondary adult Voice student | $200 – $400 | 1 |
| Henry, Annie, & Harry Cathcart Award | Applied to all accepted Collegium Program students | $10,000+ | |
| Kay Kaminski Vancouver Island & Treatment Association Award | Voice student | $250 | 1 |
| Liam Munday Memorial Vocal Scholarship | Voice student | $225 | 1 |
| Luke’s Gift Scholarship | Non-traditional, self-taught, personally expressive student in the Chwyl Family School of Contemporary Music | $500 – $900 | 1 |
| Mai Gillespie Award | Unrestricted | $600 | 1 |
| Margaret Abbott Vocal Scholarship | Voice student | $3,000+ | |
| Margaret Baker Piano Scholarship | Pianist; preference given to those interested in accompanying | $200 – $400 | 2 |
| Margaret Goater Violin/Viola Award | Violin or Viola student | $200 – $400 | 2 |
| Margaret Hendry Award | Unrestricted | $200 – $400 | 1 |
| Marjorie Tebo Piano Scholarship | Piano student | $200 – $400 | 1 |
| Mary & Gerald Stanick Strings Scholarship | Strings student, preference to viola | $200 – $400 | 1 |
| Millicent Lavoy Piano Scholarship | Piano students | $200 – $400 | 10 |
| Mrs. Massy A. Goolden Award | Graduating post-secondary student | $200 – $400 | 1 |
| Mrs. Pui Jun Wong Memorial Scholarship | Youngest and most talented piano student | $200 – $400 | 1 |
| Nadar Holdings String Award | Strings student | $200 – $400 | 1 |
| Nathan Geminiano Memorial Scholarship | Student who embodies dedication, determination and spirit | $500 – $900 | 1 |
| Naomi Skinner Estate Collegium Scholarship | Applied to all accepted Collegium Program students | $25,000+ | |
| O. Thomas Webb Memorial Scholarship in Winds and Brass | Student showing promising musical talent for a Winds or Brass instrument to encourage and facilitate their musical growth and education. | $1,000+ | 1 |
| Prof. Stephen and Dr. Jacquelyn Peitchinis Scholarships – Collegium | Applied to all accepted Collegium Program students | $20,000+ | |
|
Prof. Stephen and Dr. Jacquelyn Peitchinis Scholarships – Collegium
|
Postsecondary students | $1,000+ | Variable |
| Prof. Stephen and Dr. Jacquelyn Peitchinis Scholarships – Theory | Theory student | $200 | 1 |
| Prof. Stephen and Dr. Jacquelyn Peitchinis Scholarships – Winds Ensemble | Wind student playing in an ensemble | $200 | 2 |
| Roberto and Mary Wood Voice Award | Voice student | $200 – $400 | 1 |
| Robin and Winifred Wood Scholarship | Student who contributes time and talent to VCM | $200 – $400 | 1 |
| Sydney Humphreys Violin Prize | Violin student | $200 – $400 | 1 |
| Vanhall Fund for the Arts | Second year post-secondary student; preference given to organists | $5,000 | 5 |
| Vanhall Fund for the Arts – Jazz | Jazz student entering second year of the post-secondary program. | $5,000 | 3 |
| Victoria Conservatory of Music General Scholarship Fund | Unrestricted | ||
| Virginia Finch-Noyes Memorial Scholarship | Applied to all accepted Collegium Program students | $500+ | |
| Victoria Music Arts Society Award | Deserving post-secondary student who has lived in the greater Victoria area for at least 2 years and is intending to pursue a career in music | $200 – $400 | 3 |
| Woods International Piano Scholarship | Post-secondary piano student | $1,500+ | 1 |
*Scholarships are generated via endowment funds; value will vary from year to year, based on financial market conditions.
**Number of awards subject to change