Sydney will be performing as a finalist in the 46th Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition 2023 in Voice, taking place at Brandon University School of Music from April 21 - 23, 2023. The six selected final vocalists are: Katy Clark (Soprano), London ON; Sydney Clarke (Soprano), Oshawa ON; Rebecca Gray (Soprano), Toronto, ON; Claire Latosinsky (Soprano), Toronto, ON; Sara Schabas (Soprano), Montréal, QC; and McKenzie Warriner (Soprano), Toronto, ON.

Commonly known as the E-Gré, this annual event focuses on the exceptional performance of contemporary music by Canada’s top emerging artists. Created in 1976 as a tribute to composer, pianist and violinist S. C. EckhardtGramatté, the competition highlights Canadian music and has commissioned 42 new works. E-Gré prizewinners include Officers of the Order of Canada Jon Kimura Parker, Ben Heppner, Louise Bessette and James Ehnes. This year, the competition is open to Canadian vocalists between the ages of 18 and 35. Hosted at Brandon University’s School of Music each spring, the E-Gré alternates between Voice (2023), Strings (2024), and Piano (2025).

Nationally recognized for its high standards, the E-Gré Competition offers its competitors excellent opportunities. This year, the first prize total value is ca. $11K, which includes a $6000 cash award and a cross-Canada recital tour which provides an additional ca. $5,000 in artist fees for the winner and ca. $5000 for the winner’s pianist. A second cash prize of $2,500 and a third cash prize of $1,500 are also awarded; the fourth, fifth and sixth finalists will receive a $1,000 prize each. In addition, the City of Brandon Prize of $1,000 honours the best performance of the annual commissioned work. The 2023 E-Gré commissioned work is Breath by composer Keith Hamel with text by Jamaican Canadian poet Olive Senior.