Since 1960 the Kiwanis Music Festival of London, a registered charity, has been celebrating educating through music by providing an opportunity for artistic expression and personal growth in an encouraging and supporting environment through the annual Music Festival. Youth up to 28 years may perform in solos, duets, trios and small and large ensembles and receive constructive feedback from adjudicators who are known across various Music Festivals. In the competitive stream the Festival awards scholarships up to $35,000 annually. These funds come from donations including estate bequests. School-based music programs are also eligible for financial awards that can support those programs. In addition, there are multiple non-competitive classes for all ages including adult and community group-based classes, and classes for people with varying abilities. Finally, many are recommended to participate in the Ontario Provincial Music Festival and do quite well.
For over 50 years, The Rose Bowl has been the highest award in the Festival. Many of the winners have excelled in professional music careers as soloists, ensemble performers, music teachers at all levels of instruction, composers and music administrators. Some have won international competitions, Juno awards and given concerts on major world stages.
The Kiwanis Music Festival of London has been an integral part of making London the first city in Canada to be named a UNESCO “City of Music.”