From Bach to Poe: Music and Beyond Celebrates 15 Years of Cross-Disciplinary Art

Ottawa’s concert halls, churches and heritage sites have come alive with music, poetry and performance as the Music and Beyond Festival celebrates its 15th anniversary. Running from July 4 to 17, the festival presents a wide-ranging program that moves between classical music, jazz, literature and family events.

“I’m incredibly proud to see Music and Beyond celebrating our 15th anniversary,” says Julian Armour, Artistic and Executive Director. “It is wonderful to present a festival that is virtually unique in the world, one that links music to a wide range of other art forms and cultural disciplines.”

The 2025 season offers everything from chamber recitals and solo performances to outdoor events and late-night cabaret. Concerts take place at venues across the city, including the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church and Tabaret Hall.

“Music and Beyond is designed to appeal to different audiences,” says Varya Asmalouskaya, the festival’s artist liaison. “There are programs for children and families, concerts for traditional classical music audiences, and events that connect music with literature and other art forms.”

One of the opening events was Music at Cumberland Heritage Museum on July 5. Families explored the historic site, visited farm animals, enjoyed a picnic and listened to live performances inside heritage buildings.

On July 6, the spotlight turned to young local performers. Thirteen Strings and Winners of the Ottawa Piano Festival 2025 brought together emerging soloists with the professional ensemble Thirteen Strings.

“This program is an opportunity for young musicians to gain experience performing with a chamber orchestra,” says Asmalouskaya. “It also encourages younger audiences to engage with live music.”

The following day, Matthew Larkin and Ellen McAteer presented a Young People’s Concert. The program includes familiar songs like “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “Goodnight Moon” and “My Favourite Things.”

Audience participation continues to be a core part of the festival. On July 12, Come and Sing invites members of the public to join a mass choir. Five conductors each lead a selection, and scores are provided.

“Come and Sing is open to anyone who wants to take part,” says Asmalouskaya. “It has always been one of the most popular events with the community. The experience of being a part of hundreds of voices joining together is really magical.”

For those seeking a different mood, the Poe Cabaret on July 14 offers an atmospheric evening. Edgar Allan Poe’s poems are read aloud with musical accompaniment. The event begins at 10 p.m., with drinks available on site.

The festival closes on July 16 with Festival by Request. The audience selects the works performed. Leading up to the event, attendees are invited to vote for the pieces they most want to hear. The final program is created based on the most popular selections.

“This format gives audiences more involvement in the programming,” says Asmalouskaya. “People are often surprised by what ends up on the program. It reflects what the public is really interested in hearing.”

The evening brings together some of the festival’s most in-demand artists and performers, with repertoire spanning popular classical works, lesser-known gems and sometimes unexpected choices.

“There’s always a sense of discovery,” she adds. “You might come for something familiar, but leave having heard something completely new.”

Festival by Request serves as a kind of summing up: a closing night that reflects the diversity, accessibility and community spirit that defines Music and Beyond.

Tickets are available for individual events, as well as multi-concert passes and the all-access Diamond Pass. Purchases can be made online or at the Dominion-Chalmers Centre box office.

Armour reflects, “It is a great honour to work with some of the greatest artists of our time including Christopher Plummer, Branford Marsalis, Kathleen Battle and even PDQ Bach.”

For the full schedule and ticket information, visit musicandbeyond.ca.