February 12, 2024

The Board of the Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition wishes to acknowledge and state we are aware of the ongoing national and provincial discussions concerning Ferdinand Eckhardt. The Board remains steadfast in these discussions as they are critical to our community of composers, performers, artists, and listeners at a time when we aim to seek truthful responses and reconciliation of historic harms. The Board has begun examining and will subsequently review and respond to this information. Based on our longstanding relationship, we seek to work in alignment with Brandon University throughout this investigation. We will keep everyone within our trusted community updated on our findings and responses regarding our process of addressing this issue.

The 47th Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition in STRINGS

Finals: May 10 - 12, 2024

Finals to be held at Brandon University, School of Music - Brandon, Manitoba

Official E-Gré 2023 Press Release linked here:

E-Gré 2023 Program linked here:

Make a donation.

Please consider making a donation to the competition. All donations are tax deductible and the names of donors will be featured in the competition program.

Donate

The 46th Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition (E-Gré) for the performance of Canadian and contemporary music is pleased to announce its 2023 prize winners:

1st Prize: McKenzie Warriner

2nd Prize: Katy Clark

3rd Prize: Sara Schabas

City of Brandon Prize for the Best Performance of the Commissioned Work:
Katy Clark

Finalist Prizes (in alphabetical order):
Sydney Clarke
Rebecca Gray
Claire Latosinsky

On April 22rd and 23th, 2023, six of Canada’s best emerging vocalist performed in person and live-streamed recitals for the 46th Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition (E-Gré) in Voice. The E-Gré Competition began in 1976 and is the most important annual Canadian and contemporary music competition. We were grateful this year to be able to once again hold the competition live in Brandon, MB.

All six competitors performed one final recital, and each program was required to include at least 50% Canadian music, as well as this year’s commissioned work: Breath with lyrics by Olive Senior and music by Keith Hamel.

First place winner, McKenzie Warriner, received a cash award of $6000, and will embark on a cross-Canada tour in October and November 2023. The Winner and their pianist will each receive ca. $5000 in performance fees.

Second prize winner, Katy Clark, received a cash prize of $2500 and third prize winner, Sara Schabas received the Q Country 91.5, 94.7 Star FM & Westman Communications Group Prize of $1500 cash. The City of Brandon Prize of $1000 for the Best Performance of the 2023 commissioned piece, Breath with words by Olive Senior and music by Keith Hamel, was awarded to Katy Clark. The remaining competing finalists each received a $1000 cash prize.

"It was an inspiring opportunity to connect with five other sopranos who are equally as passionate about performing new music; meeting new composers, and being able to perform the commissioned piece by Keith Hamel all made for a beautiful and exciting competition weekend. I’m looking forward to the tour, performing and connecting audiences with contemporary music.”

— McKenzie Warriner, 2023 E-Gré Winner

The Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition

The Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition for the performance of Canadian and contemporary music is a memorial to composer, pianist, and violinist S.C. (Sonia) Eckhardt-Gramatté, who spent the last twenty-one years of her life in Manitoba. It fulfills her lifelong dream of creating a means by which the music of contemporary composers could make its presence felt by young musicians on the threshold of their careers. The E-Gré National Music Competition has been held annually since 1976 at Brandon University.