Canadian Music Competition Scholarships

Win up to $1,000 through annual regional and national music competitions for your interpretations of Canadian compositions.

Published by G Paul · last checked September 26, 2026

Total value

$1,000

Level

K-12, Undergraduate

Open to

Across Canada

Apply on the official site ↗

What you will need

For Cabana Scholarship applicants: perform a best interpretation of a Canadian composition
For Boran Zaza Scholarship applicants: perform a best interpretation of a Canadian composition by a female composer

About this award

You can win $1,000 through the Cabana Scholarship for the best interpretation of a Canadian composition, or $500 through the Boran Zaza Scholarship for the best interpretation of a Canadian composition by a female composer. As these are prizes and scholarships, this money is yours to keep and you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are a musician performing Canadian works and competing at a regional or national level. You register through your local Canadian Music Competition (CMC) Chapter, and each Chapter sets its own registration deadline, fee and required repertoire. The 2026 National Final was scheduled for the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal between July 2 and 10, 2026; check your Chapter for the next edition. At the National Audition, the results and the jury's comments are announced at the end of the session. A jury chosen with the approval of the CMC national office picks the national finalists for each Chapter. At the National Final, five judges score each candidate, and a first place needs a minimum score of 90%. If you are 13 or older and receive a bursary of $500 or more, you are responsible for the taxes on it and must give your social insurance number for a T4A (or Relevé 1 in Quebec). You pay your own travel and accommodation, and each participant or ensemble selected for the National Final pays an additional $200 fee. These are competition prizes awarded each year, not renewable scholarships.

Who qualifies

You must be entered in the Canadian Music Competition, which is open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, and you compete in the region where you live or study. The age categories at the National Final are 7 to 10, 11 to 14, 15 to 18 and 19 to 25 (up to 29 for voice). To qualify for the Cabana Scholarship, you must provide the best interpretation of a Canadian composition. To qualify for the Boran Zaza Scholarship, you must provide the best interpretation of a Canadian composition written by a female composer.

This is what the award's official page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm on the award's official page before you apply.

Canadian citizen or permanent resident
Open to K-12 or undergraduate students
Studying Music

How to apply

Read the award's official page
Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.
Check this year's deadline
We don't have a confirmed date for this round. The award's official page will have it.

Tips for applying

RepertoireAvoid choosing a piece solely based on difficulty. Instead, select a Canadian composition that allows you to show a unique and emotive interpretation. Research composers from across Canada to find a piece that stands out.
SupportAvoid practicing in isolation until the audition. Instead, seek feedback from a teacher or mentor who understands the competition's standards. Record your sessions to critique your own timing and tone.
StrategyAvoid ignoring the specific requirements for the Boran Zaza Scholarship. Instead, ensure your choice of a female Canadian composer is well-documented and intentional. Double-check the composer's biography to confirm they meet the criteria.
RealismAvoid assuming that technical perfection alone wins the prize. Instead, focus on the "interpretation" aspect mentioned in the award descriptions. Remember that judges look for musicality and storytelling as much as accuracy.

Questions students ask

How do I apply?

Use the Apply on the official site button on this page: it opens the official application page in a new tab.

When is the deadline?

We don't have a confirmed deadline for this one. Check the award's official page for this year's date.

Can international students apply?

No. You need to be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

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FundMyCourse.ca · checked Sep 26, 2026