The National Arts Centre Orchestra has, from its conception, had a mandate beyond Ottawa, a mandate to serve all Canadians from coast to coast to coast. The key national stages for the NAC Orchestra have been broadcasting, recording and touring, to which has now been added a significant presence on the internet. As part of the national mandate the NAC Orchestra has always been committed to nurturing and presenting great Canadian performers. We hear from Angela Hewitt, Jon Kimura Parker and Anton Kuerti. The national mandate has also meant commissioning and playing works by Canadian composers; R Murray Shafer, Alexina Louie and Gary Kulesha are heard from, their voices and their music.