The KW Kiwanis Music Festival is a service project of the Kiwanis Club that was established in 1948 and has been running ever since as the largest annual music education event in the region. Each year, approximately 1500-2000 public school and private music students perform in solo and group classes. The aim of this two-week event is to support and inspire our youth in their musical ambitions and skill development. The festival offers classes in a wide range of instruments and musical styles and offers both competitive and non-competitive opportunities to music students. The festival also welcomes music students of all ages, with classes for families, adults, and community ensembles.

Festival classes are a learning opportunity for students to develop their musical skills beyond their regular lessons. Every participant receives valuable feedback from an adjudicator who is a professional musician and educator to help them on their journey. And in addition to the class workshops participants are eligible to receive Ribbons, Financial Awards and Trophies. Each year the festival distributes $8000 - $20000 to deserving students, with awards ranging from $25 to $500.

Each year, the KWKMF selects about 150 participants to represent Kitchener-Waterloo at the Ontario Music Festivals Provincial Competition. The festival culminates in a gala Finale Concert which features an impressively diverse musical program performed by some of the top festival participants. The concert also celebrates student achievements with Awards & Trophy presentations.

The KWKMF is supported by volunteers from the community to help run the classes…and we are always looking for new team members! The festival also relies on the generosity of local businesses, arts organizations, and private donors to support our scholarship fund and festival operations. A new initiative starting in 2022 is the Kiwanis Music Education Fund - a burasary program to provide music lessons and instruments to students who show both promise and a financial need.