News Releases

  1. The NAC Orchestra Bursary Competition opens for applications

    November 30, 2023

    Close to $25,000 to be awarded to talented young musicians from across Canada   November 30, 2023 – OTTAWA (Canada) – The National Arts Centre Orchestra (NACO) continues to nurture young musical talent in Canada’s National Capital Region with its 2024 NAC Orchestra Bursary Competition, which opens to applications on Friday, December 1st, 2023.   ... Read more

  2. Canada's National Arts Centre Orchestra announces groundbreaking recording project, commissioning four Canadian composers

    November 17, 2023

    New recording cycle led by Alexander Shelley sees the NAC Orchestra premiering new works by Canadian composers alongside Richard Strauss masterpieces, November 22 and 23 at Southam Hall, broadcast live on November 23 November 17, 2023 – OTTAWA – Canada's National Arts Centre Orchestra (NACO) is thrilled to unveil a pioneering music project that promises to redefine the boundaries... Read more

  3. NAC GALA : Celebrating Arts Education in Canada Over the Past 25 years

    November 1, 2023

    The NAC Gala in support of the National Youth and Education Trust has raised over $15 million through the years. November 1, 2023 – OTTAWA, Canada — This evening, on the occasion of its 2023 Gala featuring world-renowned soprano Renée Fleming, the National Arts Centre (NAC) and its orchestra, led by Music Director Alexander Shelley,... Read more

  4. Alexander Shelley and Canada's National Arts Centre Orchestra conclude critically acclaimed album series with fall festival and final release

    August 25, 2023

    Clara, Robert, Johannes: Romance and Counterpoint unites performances by Angela Hewitt, Stewart Goodyear, Yosuke Kawasaki and the NAC Orchestra of Clara’s Romances for violin and piano Op. 22 and rarely heard solo piano works alongside the fourth symphonies of Robert Schumann and Brahms. AUGUST 25, 2023 – OTTAWA – Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra and its Music... Read more

  5. The NAC celebrates 25 years of the annual Gala with soprano Renée Fleming and the NAC Orchestra

    August 24, 2023

    The 2023 edition is a musical and celebratory tribute to philanthropists Janice and Earle O’Born.   OTTAWA, Canada, August 24, 2023 — World-renowned soprano Renée Fleming will headline the 25th NAC Gala on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, in Southam Hall. For the first time since 2013, she will share the stage with... Read more

  6. NAC Orchestra presents free Canada Day Concert with Alexander Shelley, Iskwē, Alex Hetherington, and YAO.

    June 20, 2023

    The Canada Day Concert will take place at Southam Hall on July 1st at 2:30pm. Admission is free. Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated Canada Day Concert, a showcase of exceptional musical talent by Canadian artists and composers. On July 1st, music director Alexander Shelley will lead the Orchestra in concert with singer-songwriter... Read more

  7. Your Stories, Your Stage: The National Arts Centre Unveils its 2023-2024 Season

    May 11, 2023

    YOUR STORIES, YOUR STAGE: THE NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE UNVEILS ITS 2023-2024 SEASON Time to mark your calendars—a wide variety of music, dance and theatre will fill up any wish lists of live performances MAY 11, 2023 – OTTAWA, CANADA – The NAC’s artistic leaders have created a line-up packed with a blend of powerful new works and treasured classics for the 2023-2024 season,... Read more

  8. The National Arts Centre Orchestra collaborates with Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity to present Mozart's epic Don Giovanni

    April 25, 2023

    After a pause of more than four years, opera returns to the National Arts Centre on Thursday, June 15, and Saturday, June 17. April 25, 2023 – OTTAWA – In collaboration with the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, the National Arts Centre (NAC) is proud to present the music of Mozart’s epic opera, Don Giovanni. Overflowing with comedy, tragedy, drama, and the supernatural, Don... Read more

  9. More than $21,000 awarded to young musicians at the 2023 NAC Orchestra Bursary Competition

    April 24, 2023

    Seventeen-year-old Franco-Ontarian violinist Justin Saulnier wins the Grand Prize April 24, 2023 – OTTAWA – On Sunday, April 23, a talented group of music students aged 16 to 26, with ties to the National Capital Region, competed for a chance to win prizes worth more than $21,000 in the 40th annual National Arts Centre Orchestra Bursary Competition. This year’s... Read more

  10. National Arts Centre Mourns the Loss of Jocelyn Morlock

    March 28, 2023

    Canada’s National Arts Centre is mourning the loss of Jocelyn Morlock, a remarkably gifted Canadian composer and a bright light for contemporary music in Canada. Her work was celebrated by many, including the National Arts Centre Orchestra, who commissioned her JUNO Award-winning work My Name is Amanda Todd as part of the landmark multimedia commission Life Reflected. My Name is Amanda... Read more