MusicWorks Ensemble Festival Aotearoa (MEFA) – Aotearoa’s Premier National School Ensemble Festival

Held in Wellington, MEFA is New Zealand’s premier national school ensemble festival, celebrating both traditional and jazz/blues styles. Our mission is to foster a vibrant, educational, and community-driven environment where students can thrive through music. With world-class concerts, mentorship, and performances, MEFA provides an unparalleled opportunity for students to perform, learn, and grow. There is no other festival like it in New Zealand.

Unlike traditional festivals that focus primarily on competition, MEFA is designed around a mentorship-driven framework, offering students engaging workshops and unique learning experiences. We collaborate with some of New Zealand’s top educators and musicians, including the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO), Royal New Zealand Air Force Band, leading universities, and MENZA. With over 60 tailored workshops, students develop not only their individual instrumental and vocal skills but also gain exposure to areas they may not typically explore in school—such as improvisation, conducting, and mixed-ensemble collaboration, enhancing both their musical and social development.

For schools that wish to compete, MEFA’s adjudicated performances provide an opportunity to strive for excellence across a range of ensembles—from choral groups and orchestras to concert bands and jazz ensembles. Each performance is followed by a specialized workshop with a top mentor, ensuring students receive constructive guidance to refine their skills.

Evening concerts showcase performances by some of New Zealand’s finest musicians, including members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Big Band and the NZSO. These concerts offer students access to world-class performances, with select opportunities for student participation—an invaluable experience that further enhances their development as musicians.

MEFA’s education-first approach makes it accessible for ensembles of all levels, from beginner groups to New Zealand’s top school ensembles. Each year, we take pride in providing young musicians with a supportive and inspiring space to perform, learn, and be part of a true festival experience.

Click here to find out more and register your school.