A journey that began in Brandon University’s (BU’s) Lorne Watson Recital Hall will conclude on the very same stage as pianist Linda Ruan returns this week for the final stop on her Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition winner’s tour.
Ruan’s performance, part of the BU School of Music’s pro series, will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 25, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Ruan won the 2025 E-Gré competition in April, earning a $6,000 cash award and a fall tour. The Brandon performance will be her ninth of the tour, which began in October and has also included concerts in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador.
“One of the delights of the competition and the ensuing tour is the opportunity to see incredible young musicians grow in their artistry,” said Dr. Leanne Zacharias, Acting Dean of Music at BU. “Linda wowed the judges during her performance here in April, and her return engagement this month is sure to be even more spectacular.”
The E-Gré competition has been contested annually at BU since 1976, rotating between voice, strings and piano, in a showcase of emerging artists and Canadian composers. The 2026 competition will feature voice, with the finals to take place from April 17 to 19 at the School of Music.
“The Eckhardt-Gramatté Conservatory of Music is a place where students can flourish through music,” said Conservatory Director Dianna Neufeld. “The musicians who join us for the E-Gré competition wow us with their talent and their dedication, and Linda’s concert promises to be another inspiring experience.”
Tickets for the November 25 concert at the Lorne Watson Recital Hall, inside the Queen Elizabeth II Music Building, cost $20 for general admission and are available at the door. Brandon University students and Conservatory of Music students can attend for free.
The School of Music gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the Canada Council for the Arts and the Manitoba Arts Council.
Please note that seating in the Lorne Watson Recital Hall is limited and that programs are subject to change. For an up-to-date listing of pro series and student performances, please visit Events.BrandonU.ca/Events/Category/Music.
Please contact the School of Music at Music@BrandonU.ca with any accessibility considerations.
