Ottawa New Music Festival 2026

Friday, November 6 @ 7pm: SHHH!! Ensemble & Squid in Chains

Kicking off this year's edition, ONMF Artistic Directors SHHH!! Ensemble launch their third album of Canadian piano-percussion duo music, Starry Night. The new record flows through a dreamscape of beautiful and unexpected sounds. Music written especially for SHHH!! reflects on the night sky, distilling celestial motion into human scale, and exploring how dreams process emotions, memories, and even our own self-conception. SHHH!! Ensemble will perform a selection of works from their new album and guests will have the chance to purchase an early-bird copy of the record.

Next, the all-star Vancouver-based trio Squid in Chains, featuring the combined talents of François Houle (basset clarinet and electronics), Douglas Schmidt (bandoneon and saxophone), and John Oliver (synthesizers, samplers, sound processing) take the stage. Each musician has had a distinguished career in music performance and creation, and the group brings together a wealth of individual musical and life experiences. Squid in Chains' eclectic improvised music presents a dialogue between electronic and acoustic sound, creating rich, ever-evolving sonic landscapes.

Saturday, November 7 @ 10am: Art Crush Discovery Zone

Art Crush Discovery Zone is a hands-on 2.5-hour event for ages 6 and up, bringing children, teens, and adults together to explore music, sound, and performance in a relaxed, creative setting.

Throughout the Alma Duncan Salon guests can move between different stations featuring string and percussion instruments, with musician facilitators there to help people try things out, experiment with sound, and get a closer look at how the instruments work. No musical experience is needed! The experience will be like a musical petting zoo; a chance to get up close to the instruments, discover their sounds, and try them for yourself.

Midway through the event, violinist Marc Djokic will give a special solo performance, offering a chance to gather, listen, and experience the violin up close before the Discovery Zone continues.

Saturday, November 7 @ 7pm: Young Artist Showcase & Rachel Fenlon performs 'Sing Nature Alive From My Insides'

The evening opens with a short set of performances by young Ottawa pianists performing contemporary Canadian works.

Next, Sing Nature Alive from My Insides is a 40 minute composition for self-accompanied soprano, piano, and live electronics, featuring live video projections. A multi-faceted and innovative project, bringing together Matthias McIntire’s contemporary approach to composing, Rachel Fenlon’s unique self-accompanied work, and a dynamic visual film world created by Jamie McMillan in response to the music. The poetry weaves a story in a dream-nightmare sequence. The live electronics are sourced sounds of nature, ocean waves, birds, waterfalls, as well as the live processing of Rachel’s voice.