Supporting Youth Through Music

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Supporting Youth Through Music

One of the flagship projects of the OM’s educational mission, the OMNI Competition offers young musicians aged 7 to 17 from across Canada the opportunity to showcase their talent through meaningful artistic experiences, from online sharing to the stage of the Maison symphonique, in an environment that is both supportive and stimulating. 

It is in this spirit that the Famille Le Blanc Foundation is renewing and expanding its commitment to the OMNI Competition for the coming years, recognizing it as an essential lever for the development and flourishing of the next generation of musicians. 

  1. Éli Turmel, bass trombone (Montreal, QC)

    2024 François Schubert Grand Prize
    A $5,000 scholarship awarded to the grand prize winner in the 15–17 age group

  2. Brandon Bing, piano (Blainville, QC)

    2024 Hydro-Québec Grand Prix
    A $2,000 prize awarded to the grand prize winner in the 12–14 age group

  3. Sacha Jorba-Wu, violin (Calgary, AB)

    2024 Yannick Nézet-Séguin Grand Prix
    A $2,000 scholarship awarded to the grand prize winner in the 7–11 age group

With education of young people through the arts (and sports) as our core mission, it was obvious for us to develop a partnership with an orchestra, as we already had partnerships in dance, theatre, and visual arts.

The master classes, Tutti, and the OMNI Competition of the OM align perfectly with our mission: to encourage excellence and enrich the lives of young people by enabling them to experience extraordinary opportunities and to thrive.

Suzanne Leblanc, Executive Director, Famille Le Blanc Foundation

For the Foundation, supporting an orchestra such as the OM, recognized both in Quebec and internationally, helps share our cultural identity and shine a light on local talent.

Culture is the imprint of our society on the world. We are privileged in Quebec to have institutions like the OM that stand out around the globe.

Suzanne Leblanc, Executive Director, Famille Le Blanc Foundation

An Accessible Springboard for All

The OMNI Competition stands out for its accessibility and its ability to welcome young musicians of all backgrounds. The participatory stream offers an inclusive, pressure-free space to share one’s passion, while the competitive stream allows those who wish to go further and experience a more in-depth artistic journey. 

To participate, each young musician submits a short video of their performance. All performances are then posted on the OM’s YouTube channel, giving participants excellent visibility and allowing the public to discover emerging talent from the very first stage of the competition. 

A Highly Anticipated 2026 Edition

Performances from the 2026 edition of the OMNI Competition will be presented online on April 24 and 25, 2026, on the OM’s YouTube channel. The public will be able to discover the talent of the young participants and vote for their favorite, as a People’s Choice Award will be presented in each instrument category. Finalists in the competitive stream will then have the opportunity to perform before an audience at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal during the Final on May 30 and 31, 2026. Some laureates will be selected to take part in the OM Prelude at the Maison symphonique de Montréal on June 14, during the awards ceremony, an unforgettable milestone in their journey. 

The OM thanks the Famille Le Blanc Foundation, principal ambassador of the OMNI Competition. 

The Orchestra also wishes to thank Mr. François Schubert, patron of the OMNI Competition, for his support in making this initiative possible. 

OMNI Competition Presenter

OMNI Competition partners

Education Partner

OMNI Competition Lead Ambassador