National Arts Centre Orchestra

The National Arts Centre Orchestra is Canada's national orchestra, founded in 1969 as the resident ensemble of the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. Alexander Shelley has been its music director since 2015, with John Storgards taking over from the 2026-27 season and Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser serving as principal youth conductor. Modest in size by symphonic standards, it is known for its classical and chamber-orchestra repertoire, for extensive commissioning of Canadian composers, and for a national mandate that takes it on tour across Canada and abroad. The orchestra plays its main season in Southam Hall.