More than 8,000 young musicians from cross the country will descend on the capital next week to participate in the 47th annual MusicFest Canada.
Billed as North America’s largest festival dedicated to developing musical talent, the event will feature young performers aged nine to 19 in some 300 different ensembles.
The event will take place from May 13-18 at the National Arts Centre, the Bronson Centre, Knox Presbyterian Church, First Baptist Church and the University of Ottawa. For more detailed schedule information, please visit musicfest.ca.
Students from the elementary to high school get invited to these Nationals after winning competitions at a regional level in the following forms: concert band, orchestra, choral, vocal jazz or instrumental jazz categories.
MusicFest Canada and its sponsors will hand out up to $100,000 in scholarships and awards at the festival, including two NAC Awards at $1,000 each for the best brass and string musicians and another $1,000 from the Friends of the NAC Orchestra for the outstanding woodwind player of the festival.
The event has been held in Ottawa before several times, the last time was in 2016. Ottawa also hosted MusicFest’s 40th anniversary event in 2012.
Many adjudicated concerts are open to the public including:
Concert Bands, Orchestras: May 13-18 at the National Arts Centre Babs Asper Theatre
Instrumental Jazz, Jazz Combos: May 13-17 at the Bronson Centre (211 Bronson Ave.)
Choirs, Contemporary/Vocal Jazz: May 15-17 at Knox Presbyterian Church (120 Lisgar St.)
Jazz Combo Mini Concerts: May 13-16 at the NAC Glass and Thorsteinson Staircase
In a media release, MusicFest Canada’s objectives were outlined. The organiztion wants:
• To provide an opportunity for students and educators from across Canada and elsewhere to meet, demonstrate and share musical achievements and creativity.
• To “evaluate and reflect on musical achievement and creativity in a constructive and educationally focused way.”
• To encourage the study and performance of music written and arranged by Canadians.
• To complement and enhance teaching, learning and growing.
• To foster and promote a lifelong interest in music.
MusicFest Canada is held in a different Canadian city each year.
Over a very intense six days, the young musicians will be involved in a performances, at showcase concerts, clinics, cabarets and workshops.
Here are the Ottawa area schools taking part:
