It began as a dream over 20 years ago and still lives on today!   

Festival Nelson was launched in 1986.thanks to the vision and passion of former School District music co-ordinator Helene McGall. Her dream was to create a non-competitive music festival that would provide a positive educational experience for music students.

The festival's initial success was due in part to a solid line up of impressive adjudicators and musical guest performers, a tradition that has continued throughout the years.

 Festival Nelson has received glowing reviews from thousands of music teachers, adjudicators and students throughout the Pacific Northwest. This is because of the non-competitive format, the quality instruction received from the adjudicators, the workshops and clinics and, of course, the evening concerts.