Nova Scotia Kiwanis Music Festival

08/11/2026

Welcome, Katrina Pecknold!

The Nova Scotia Kiwanis Music Festival is pleased to announce Katrina Mills Pecknold as our new Executive Director!

Katrina brings an impressive background in music education, administration and community engagement. She has led one of Eastern Canada’s largest string education programs, serving more than 3,000 students across 45+ schools, and has extensive experience directing choirs, orchestras, festivals and large-scale performances.

We’re especially excited to have Katrina leading the Festival as we look ahead to our 92nd Festival in 2027 — continuing a proud tradition of encouraging young musicians, celebrating musical excellence and bringing our community together through music.

But we need your help!

As we prepare for 2027, we are looking for volunteers, sponsors and community partners who want to help support the next generation of Nova Scotia musicians.

Interested in getting involved? Send us a message and be part of the Festival!

Tim Rissesco, Chair
Nova Scotia Kiwanis Music Festival Board of Directors

07/10/2026

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy weekend!

07/09/2026

Hi parents and teachers - just a reminder for the 2027 Festival, please be sure to include your mailing address when you register. We are sending out letters of congratulations (including cheques) to our award winners. If we don't have your mailing address, we can't send the good news/payment to you. Many thanks!

07/08/2026

And the winners are (*drumroll please!*) - congratulations to all our young musicians, we are so happy to award you with these 2026 prizes for all your hard work!

Prizes and awards will be given based on recommendation from the adjudicators and marks attained (a minimum mark of 85 in most cases). Only residents of Nova Scotia or those studying in the province are eligible for the Rose Bowl Competitions and major prizes. Through the generosity of the community...

07/07/2026

We are getting ready to release this year's 2026 Festival Awards and Prizes recipients list, and have put some very exciting news in the mail to many of our talented musicians. Stay tuned and watch this space and our website for updates!

We thank our many donors for their support of our award program, including Debut Atlantic Piano Helen Creighton Folklore Society Early Music Society of Nova Scotia Nova Scotia Registered Music Teachers' Association Chebucto Symphony Orchestra Tuesday Night Band Kiwanis Club of Dartmouth Nova Scotia Kiwanis Music Festival Fountain School of Performing Arts, Dalhousie University and many individual donors, music schools and families - thank you!

07/03/2026

For some performers and composers, the notion of retiring at 90 has been simply out of the question, as Terry Blain explains

07/03/2026

Today is the last day to register for the Fiddle an Step Dance Competition!
We have 7 Fiddle Classes and 2 Step Dance Classes with over $4000 in prizes to be awarded! Visit www.maritimefiddlefestival.ca to register!