For the first ten years, the Festival adopted a unique mandate to highlight works of living Canadian composers in the larger context of music of all times. Each composer was present for the duration of the festival, and was therefore able to forge meaningful relationships with audience and musicians alike. The festival hosted some of Canada’s most celebrated composers: Jacques Hétu, Malcolm Forsyth, Chan Ka Nin, Andrew MacDonald, Alexina Louie, John Burge, Steven Gellman, Ana Sokolovic, and Marjan Mozetich. As a result, audiences have also received considerable exposure to the world of Canadian chamber music and its repertoire.

The festival was founded in 2004 by Canadian pianist and educator Stéphane Lemelin who served as the festival’s Artistic DIrector until 2017. In 2018 the direction of the festival was assumed by the New Orford String Quartet–violinists Andrew Wan and Jonathan Crow, violist Eric Nowlin (later replaced by violist Sharon Wei), and cellist Brian Manker. Rising from the fame and tradition of their famous predecessor the Orford String Quartet, these four like-minded musician–all principal players in the Montreal, Toronto and Detroit symphony orchestras–came together in 2009 to revolutionize the concept of string quartet playing in Canada. Rather than committing to a year-round touring schedule, the members of the quartet meet for residencies in various centres for short periods of time with the aim of providing a fresh perspective on the interpretation of standard string quartet repertoire.  Winners of a Juno award in 2017, the NOSQ are also dedicated to promoting Canadian works, both new commissions and neglected repertoire from the previous century. Now in their second decade, they remain committed to these ideals as they continue to enthrall audiences everywhere.