Call for Scores – Percussion Duo
Deadline: September 1st, 2026 @11:59pm
Concert: Late-November 2026 (date/time/location TBA)
Vancouver Pro Musica is pleased to invite all BC composers to submit new works for our 2026 Fall Percussion Concert with performers Greg Samek and Niki Hung. Selected works composed for percussion duo will be presented in concert in November 2026. Composers will receive professionally recorded video/audio recordings.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Greg Samek
Greg Samek is a percussionist and music educator based in Vancouver, BC. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Windsor (2006) and a Master of Music in Performance from the University of Toronto (2008), and attended several Banff Centre residencies between 2012 and 2015.
From 2008 to 2017, Greg toured internationally with Scrap Arts Music, a percussion quintet performing on handmade instruments. That work took him across the US, Europe, Asia, and Latin America, and included a performance at the 2010 Winter Olympics closing ceremony in Vancouver
Since 2015 Greg has been based in Vancouver at 240 Northern studios maintaining an active performance and teaching career. Greg has had the pleasure of working with students across a range of settings including World of Music and Arts, School of Rock, Mastery School of Music, Baobao Arts Center, Salina Cheng Music Academy, Sarah McLachlan School of Music and Douglas College
Niki Hung
Niki Hung is an active percussionist and dedicated educator based in Vancouver. She holds a Master of Music in Performance (Distinction) from the Royal College of Music in London, where she studied with Daniella Ganeva, Sam Walton, and Grahame King. Niki also received her Bachelor of Arts in Music from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, studying under Sophia Woo, percussionist of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra.
A passionate performer, Niki has performed and collaborated with orchestras and ensembles including the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Hong Kong Festival Orchestra, Hong Kong Strings, Turning Point Ensemble, Music on Main, Vancouver Pro Musica, Vancouver Bach Choir, Toolbox Percussion, and the Yarilo Contemporary Music Society. Her solo appearances include a marimba concerto with the Royal College of Music Wind Orchestra and featured percussion solos with the Chung Chi Wind Orchestra. She has also participated in major international percussion festivals and academies, such as the Katarzyna Myćka Marimba Academy and the Beta Percussion International Institute. Enthusiastic about contemporary music, Niki has premiered numerous new works, including compositions by Dr. Kai-Young Chan and Dr. Hau-Man Lo. She was also a winner of the Royal College of Music Percussion Competition and a recipient of the RCM Competition Scholarship.
ITINERARY:
- Score Submission Deadline:
Tuesday, September 1st, 2026 - Notification of Results:
Friday, September 11th, 2026 - Rehearsal Date(s):
There will be a joint rehearsal/reading session prior to the concert that all selected composers will be encouraged to attend - Concert:
Late-November
Specific Date/Time/Location TBA
APPLICATIONS:
Please review the following guidelines and requirements carefully.
Candidates must:
- Be residents of British Columbia
- Attend all events in the itinerary
- Provide all required performance materials (scores & parts*) in good time for rehearsals prior to the final concert
Submitted works:
- Have been composed within the past 3 years
- Have not had a previous professional performance (pieces that have been performed in school settings will still be considered)
- Have a maximum 10 minutes in length (pieces 7-9 mins preferred)
- Be scored for 1-2 percussionists (preference will be given to pieces scored for 2 percussionists; pieces for more than 2 percussionists will not be considered)
- For works that include lyrics/text: Acceptable texts for works include those written by the composer or those in the public domain. Text written by others is also acceptable on the condition that the composer obtains written permission from the author or publisher
* For works with text, please consult with percussionists Greg & Niki prior to submitting; VPM can provide contact info upon request - Include 2 copies of the score: one copy anonymous for the jury adjudication of submissions
(Please read How to Prepare an Anonymized Score PDF) - Although notated scores are preferred, graphic scores are possible.
*Please note that pieces that include electronics will not be considered
Available Instruments:
- Jazz style Drumset (see insert for proper notation/instruments)
- 5 octave marimba (C2-C7)
- Xylophone (sounding F4-C8)
- Bells (sounding G6-C9)
- 2 Timpani (F2-C3 & Bb2-F3)
- Small Concert BD
- Concert Snare Drum
- Military/Field Snare Drum
- 4 sizes of toms (“12, 13″, 14″, 16”)
- 2 small Roto-Toms (10″ & 8″)
- Bongos (hi and low)
- 5 Gongs of various sizes (3 gongs sound particular pitches, C#3, F#3, and F3)
- Suspended cymbals (12″ Splash, 16″ crash, 19″ China, 20″ sizzle, 22″ heavy ride)
- Two 6″ Triangles
- Various Maracas/shakers
- 4 different sizes of woodblocks
- 4 different sizes of cowbells
- Darbuka
For notation guidelines, please see the attached material. Master Drum Key, Guide to Drums & Percussion Notation, Percussion Staff Notation. If any questions remain, please contact percussionist Greg Samek at: [email protected]
How to Submit:
- Apply using the submission form below
- The Application fee is $25
- If you require accommodation, please contact the VPM administration at [email protected] prior to submitting your score
- Fee payments can be made via Paypal or cheque by mail
- Please make cheques payable to:
Vancouver Pro Musica Society
PO Box 78077 RPO Grandview
Vancouver, BC V5N 5W1
All composers who submit applications:
- Automatically become members in good standing of Vancouver Pro Musica
- Are exempt from membership dues for one year
- Receive one ticket to the concert
JURY:
All submitted works will be adjudicated by an anonymous jury
RECORDING:
Composers whose works are presented will receive an archive recording of their work for non-commercial purposes
SUBMISSION FORM: