Music and Beyond is a classical music and arts festival that began in July 2010. Each year, the festival offers a variety of programming to highlight exciting connections between classical music and other art forms. One mission of Music and Beyond is to introduce and foster new audiences as they explore or experience music and the arts. All the while emphasizing and providing opportunities for young people in the community.
Who We Are
What We Do
Music and Beyond presented over 900 concerts and events in our first ten seasons and more than 3,800 “mini-concerts.” During this period, the festival has presented some of Ottawa’s, Canada’s, and the world’s most excellent musicians, artists, performers, and writers!
From the beginning, Music and Beyond has gone “beyond” in a number of ways. Our mandate is to link music with various art forms and cultural disciplines. Some of the most notable Music and Beyond collaborations include the National Gallery Soirée, Music and History at the Canadian Museum of History, and Music of the Cold War at the Diefenbunker Museum. Music and Beyond also places a high degree of importance on developing new audiences for classical music, particularly young people. Music and Beyond was named “Event of the Year” at the 2018 Ottawa Tourism Awards.
In 2020 and 2021, Music and Beyond cancelled its live festivals due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we have since released an ambitious series of over 100 videos and presented over 100 free outdoor mini-concerts.
Who We Help
An integral part of Music and Beyond’s mandate involves reaching out to young people to introduce them to both music and the arts. In addition, we strive to provide Ottawa’s finest young musicians with transformative performance opportunities. Over the last nine years, young people from local choirs, orchestras, and jazz bands have had opportunities to perform publicly with world-renowned musicians.
There is a wide range of events offered for young people each year, with the highlight being our free annual Ottawa Family Music Expo. Here, attendees can enjoy a range of interactive musical activities.
A new element to our youth initiative was launched in June of 2015 – entitled, “Music and Beyond Reaches Out”. This program offers hands-on opportunities and performances for students in both the fall and the spring, in Ottawa’s elementary and secondary schools.
Viennese Winter Ball
In addition to our annual summer festival, Music and Beyond also presents one of the most elegant cultural galas in all of Canada – the Viennese Winter Ball. In 2015, the organizing committee of the Viennese Winter Ball approached Music and Beyond to take on this iconic annual event. Each February, the Ball raises funds for a range of activities that link young people to music. The Ball showcases Austrian music, dance, food and visual art – a perfect Music and Beyond event!
In March 2021, Music and Beyond presented a virtual Viennese Winter Ball, which was seen by approximately 60,000 viewers. The Viennese Winter Ball was once again presented virtually on February 26, 2022.
Awards
Music and Beyond has been recognized with numerous awards and nominations to celebrate our cultural significance in Ottawa.
In 2010, we were awarded New Company of the Year! We were also nominated for Festival of the Year in 2015.
On April 28th, 2016, the festival was presented with the 2015 Ottawa Tourism Award – Partnership of the Year, for our National Gallery Soirée evening, which was held on July 8th, 2015.
On May 3rd, 2018, Music and Beyond was awarded the 2018 Ottawa Tourism Award for Event of the Year.
Board of Directors
Valerie Douglas – President and Chair
Gary Boyd – Director
Tanis Browning-Shelp – Director
Christina Cameron – Director
Jean Cloutier – Director
Len Edwards – Director
Ron Stevenson – Director
Julian Armour – Director
