What is the National Festival?
The National Music Festival is held by Federation of Canadian Music Festivals (FCMF) in July.
The dates and details for 2026 are:
July 9-10 – Ensemble Stream and Composition Stream – Virtual
July 14-16 – Non-Competitive Education Stream – Virtual
July 21-24 – Developing Artist Stream – Virtual
July 25-29 – Emerging Artist Stream – Live, at Mount Allison University, Sackville, NB
More information can be found at www.fcmf.org
How do I enter the National Festival?
Competitors at the National Festival are recommended by adjudicators at either Local or Provincial Festival level (depending on the stream)
Each affiliated festival can recommend 2 performers per “Stream” to enter for each of the following disciplines:
- Vocal
- Musical Theatre
- Piano
- Strings
- Brass
- Woodwind
- Percussion
- Instrumental Ensemble
- Choral
- Composition
What are the “Streams”?
Solo Streams:
NCES (Non-Competitive Education Stream)
- Eligible performers must be aged 18 and under (14 and under for Vocal and Musical Theatre), performing at a level equivalent to RCM level 4-7.
- Performers are recommended directly from the local festival.
- Competition is virtual, and recordings must be submitted by 30 June, 2026.
- Performers receive written comments, plus an online workshop with the adjudicator, taking place on 14-16 July 2026.
- Fees are $125. Sometimes local festivals are able to help with these.
Developing Artists Stream
- Eligible performers must be aged 18 and under and performing at a level equivalent to RCM level 8-10.
- Performers are recommended by adjudicators at the provincial festival.
- Competition is virtual, and recordings must be submitted by 30 June, 2026.
- Performers receive written comments, plus an online workshop with the adjudicator, taking place 21-24 July, 2026.
- Fees are $200. Sometimes provincial and/or local festivals are able to help with these.
Emerging Artists Stream
- Eligible performers must be aged 30 and under and performing at an advanced level.
- Performers are recommended by adjudicators at the provincial festival.
- Fees are $250. Sometimes provincial and/or local festivals are able to help with these.
- The live competition will take place at Mount Allison University, NB, 25-29 July, 2026.
Recorded Ensemble Streams:
- Competition is virtual, and recordings must be submitted by 30 June, 2026.
- There are Choral and Instrumental streams.
- Ensembles receive written comments plus:
- Chamber Ensemble – workshop taking place 9-10 July 2026.
- Choir, Band, and Orchestra – Conductor Roundtable taking place 9-10 July 2026.
- Fees are:
- Choir/Band/Orchestra- $150
- Chamber: Jr $125, Int $150, Adv $175
Composition Streams:
- Performers receive written comments, plus an workshop taking place 9-10 July 2026.
- Fees are $125. Sometimes provincial and/or local festivals are able to help with these.
- Streams are Solo/Duet and Ensemble at Advanced, Intermediate, and Junior levels.
Want to know more?
Please see the National Festival Website for more details.