Norfolk Musical Arts Festival is still going strong

Chris Abbott

Editor

The Norfolk Musical Arts Festival is gearing up for its March 2-6, 2026 festival.

Registration for participants opened on the festival website (nmaf.ca) in November and it will stay open until the Monday, Jan. 12 deadline.

“The festival is open to anyone and everyone who want to perform,” said Vicky Lachine, Festival Administrator. “Whether it’s singing or playing an instrument, or drama, there are several categories that they can enter.”

Performers from Kindergarten age to seniors typically enter, she said, noting some perform in choirs. Entries come from across Norfolk County, and some from nearby centres like Brantford, Hamilton, Ancaster, Paris, Tillsonburg, and Caledonia.

“We also get school bands, both secondary and elementary, and school choirs,” said Lachine. “Most of the high schools from the school board are coming, so that is great. We get tremendous support from the local music teachers – in the schools and privately.”

Adjudicators are hired during festival week – one for each discipline – to adjudicate all competitors during the festival.

“The feedback they get from adjudicators is meant to enhance their performance, or give them some tips on what they could do better, or how they could re-express themselves in a certain way. So a lot of them take that and implement it into their performance. We often see that even during festival week – if they compete in another class later in the week, it just keeps getting better and better each time they compete."

The community is encouraged to see the festival competition throughout the week in March.

“It’s always wonderful to see a church full of audience members when you have this kind of talent in our communities. So we’re trying to get the word out in general, ‘come out and watch the local talent.’ There is no audience admission fee – it’s a freewill offering. We have a jar at the door. I know from my own past experience, you won’t be disappointed.”

The 40th annual festival award ceremony is March 10 and it always fills to capacity.

“On the night of the festival highlights, Tuesday, March 10, the winners will get their awards that night. It’s pretty exciting. It’s also a good time to recognize our volunteers and sponsors – anyone involved with the making of the festival. It’s a great way to remind people that we are still around and still going strong and we celebrate everybody that participates and is involved.”

Plans are being made to host a kickoff concert on Sunday, March 1st. Festival organizers hope to have past performers, giving the audience a chance to see ‘where they are now,’ followed by a small reception. Details are still in the works.