The National Capital Region Music Festival (1945), widely known as the Kiwanis Music Festival, began its life as the Ottawa Music Festival in 1945. At that time, the Festival celebrated the music talents of Ottawa’s children and youth through a three-day competitive festival.

Over time the Festival grew in size and prominence. In recent years, it runs for four or five weeks every April, in churches and schools across the City, managed by a part-time staff and hundreds of volunteers, and features between two and three thousand performances annually by our many dedicated participants, including solo performers, chamber groups, and large ensembles such as bands, choirs, and orchestras.

Among the highlights of the Festival's past include our many incredible alumni, daily publication of Festival results, and our annual Trophy Nights which take place throughout April.

The Festival is a registered charity (118984251RR0001) supported by donations, sponsorships, and participant registration fees, and governed by a voluntary Board of Directors.