Organizational History

In early 1936, Sir Ernest MacMillan of Toronto, travelled to Saint John to meet with people about organizing a competitive festival in Saint John. In July of that same year, Maud Cowan Cormier, Mrs. J. Gordon Likely, Louise Knight and other officers of the Ladies’ Morning Musical Club met with Sir Hugh Roberton of Glasgow, Scotland. Sir Hugh was an internationally-known composer, choir director and festival adjudicator. Subsequently, there were meetings with Professor Harold Hamer of Mount Allison College and with Rotary, Kiwanis, and Gyro Clubs. On November 12, 1936, a meeting was held to form a festival organization, originally called “Competitive Festival of Music, New Brunswick” with Dr. C.W. MacMillan as president.There were 206 entries in the first festival, which was sponsored by the Ladies’ Morning Musical Club, the Saint John Rotary Club, who donated $300, and the Saint John Gyro Club.In 1943, the festival became The New Brunswick Competitive Festival of Music, the name which has continued to the present day.From its beginnings in 1937, with 206 entries, the New Brunswick Competitive Festival of Music has continued to expand year by year. Currently, the Festival sees 1,000 entries annually representing over 2,500 students from throughout the Greater Saint John area and the entire province. The Festival provides scholarships and awards totaling in excess of $30,000. In 2016, the New Brunswick Competitive Festival of Music celebrated its 80th Anniversary.

Mission Statement

The mission of the New Brunswick Competitive Music Festival is to operate an annual amateur competitive music festival which encourages young people to explore various forms and styles of music.

We hope to promote excellence in music, enjoyment of the performing arts and an atmosphere where our youth can learn the benefits of fun and healthy competition. The festival also supports the development of performing arts in our region by providing performance opportunities and awards to emerging musicians.

The NBCFM strives to meet its’ mission by the hard work of our dedicated volunteers. Funding of the festival comes from donations, endowments and admission fees collected at the venues.