News Releases

  1. NAC ORCHESTRA TAPPED FOR MOMENTOUS TRUE NORTH: THE CANADIAN SONGBOOK PROJECT Orchestra Chosen for 10-Orchestra Album to Celebrate Canada’s 150th Birthday

    June 9, 2016

    OTTAWA, ON - Eleanor McCain is about to make history. In an unparalleled and ambitious move to celebrate the country’s 150th birthday with her upcoming True North: The Canadian Songbook, the three-time East Coast Music Association Award nominee has been traveling across Canada from St. John’s, NL to Victoria, BC to record with 10 orchestras for inclusion on her 33-song recording... Read more

  2. ALEXANDER SHELLEY AND THE NAC ORCHESTRA PERFORM MUSIC FROM WAGNER’S TRANSCENDENT TRISTAN UND ISOLDE IN FINAL PERFORMANCES OF 2015-16 SEASON

    May 25, 2016

    May 25, 2016 – OTTAWA (Canada) – On June 2-3, don’t miss the final performances of the 2015-16 season, as Music Director Alexander Shelley and the National Arts Centre Orchestra perform music from Wagner’s transcendent Tristan und Isolde with Henk de Vlieger’s symphonic work entitled An Orchestral Passion.  Colin Currie, one of the world’s finest... Read more

  3. Purse valued at more than $20,000 awarded to Young musicians at the 2016 National Arts Centre Orchestra Bursary Competition

    May 22, 2016

    OTTAWA, May 22, 2016 — On May 22, at 2:00 p.m. Music students aged 16-24, from the National Capital Region competed for a chance to win prizes worth more than $20,000 in the 26th annual  National Arts Centre Orchestra’s 2016 Bursary Competition. This year’s winners are: 2016 NAC Orchestra Bursary ($7,000) – Bryan Cheng, cello (age 18) Crabtree Foundation Award... Read more

  4. Norway House students to perform their own song of reconciliation with National Arts Centre Music Director Alexander Shelley at CMHR

    May 18, 2016

    Media advisory / photo opportunity Winnipeg – May 18, 2016 – Talented young musicians from Norway House in northern Manitoba will perform an original song they wrote about the tragic legacy of Indian Residential Schools during an event on May 24 organized by the National Arts Centre (NAC) and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR). One of five Indigenous youth groups in Canada... Read more

  5. PANEL ON THE MOST AMBITIOUS ORCHESTRAL PIECE EVER PRODUCED BY THE NAC ORCHESTRA — LIFE REFLECTED

    May 16, 2016

    The lives of four remarkable Canadian women are profiled in the work to be premiered on May 19 OTTAWA – Renowned CBC News Network Host Heather Hiscox, will lead a fascinating panel discussion about the four remarkable Canadian women who are the subjects of –Life Reflected—a groundbreaking world premiere on May 19, that celebrates the lives of four Canadian women — author... Read more

  6. ALEXANDER SHELLEY TO BRING THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF MUSIC TO STUDENTS IN OTTAWA’S WEST END

    May 13, 2016

    OTTAWA — On May 20, hundreds of students from 10 west end schools will have the opportunity to perform with Music Director Alexander Shelley and members of NAC Orchestra in a concert called Life Reflected in Ottawa’s West End at Woodroffe High school from 1p.m. to 2 p.m. Who:  Alexander Shelley, Music Director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Members of the National Arts... Read more

  7. NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE’S INSTITUTE FOR ORCHESTRAL STUDIES AND RBC TEAM-UP TO HELP YOUNG MUSICIANS ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS

    May 12, 2016

    OTTAWA — The NAC’s Institute for Orchestral Studies (IOS) and RBC Royal Bank are teaming-up to offer highly skilled young musicians increased learning and performance opportunities. “The NAC is pleased to welcome RBC as Presenting Supporter of the NAC Orchestra’s Institute for Orchestral Studies. This leadership support will help us to continue to give young musicians an... Read more

  8. 10,000 YOUNG MUSICIANS FROM ACROSS CANADA TO PARTICIPATE IN MUSICFEST CANADA’S 44TH ANNIVERSARY

    May 10, 2016

    OTTAWA – More than 10,000 of the country’s most outstanding young musicians from every corner of Canada are on their way to Ottawa for the 44th annual MusicFest Canada, North America's largest festival dedicated to developing musical talent.    The MusicFest Nationals will bring together Canada's finest young musicians aged 12-19 in 300 ensembles who will... Read more

  9. The NAC Announces Diana Krall as 2016 Gala Artist Tickets go on sale May 16 for the 20th annual NAC Gala in support of youth arts!

    May 2, 2016

    The NAC is pleased to announce five-time Grammy®  winning jazz pianist and vocalist extraordinaire Diana Krall, as the sensational 2016 NAC Gala artist. Krall, in collaboration with Music Director Alexander Shelley and the National Arts Centre Orchestra will give a unique concert of the best jazz and contemporary repertoire heard today.  Tickets for the 20th Annual Gala will go on... Read more

  10. National Arts Centre and Coalition for Music Education Celebrate Music Monday on May 2nd Concert at Woodroffe High School features 400-voice choir and special guests.

    April 26, 2016

    The National Arts Centre in partnership with the Coalition for Music Education in Canada will celebrate Music Monday with a live showcase concert with students from 10 local schools and community choirs at Woodroffe High School. Roughly 400 youth will join hundreds of thousands of children singing across the country in celebration of music education at 12:30 p.m. on May 2nd, 2016. The concert... Read more