Close to 300 young musical virtuosos are making their way here for the final round of the 2015 Canadian Music Competition, a national classical-music  competition for youth aged 7 to 30 years.

It’s the first time in 21 years that the national final is in Vancouver.

Open to the public free of charge, this year’s final starts today ( June 19) and runs to July 7 at the Vancouver Academy of Music.

About 72 musicians from Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island are advancing.

The National Final is one last opportunity for qualifying contestants to showcase their musical prowess before
a panel of five distinguished judges.

Winners at all three levels of the compeition will share more than $100,000 in scholarship funds.

More than 550 young musicians from all corners of the country began their 2015 CMC journey in the early
spring, competing first in the regional and provincial rounds. 

Over more than half a century, the competition has spawned some of the country's finest musicians, including big names like  Angela Hewitt, James Ehnes and Louis Lortie.

The event  culminates in a gala concert on July 4 at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, where winners will have an opportunity to perform with the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra with conductor Ken Hsieh.