HALIFAX, NS – This summer, Symphony Nova Scotia proudly presents its first-ever summer season, featuring 13 FREE concerts and events in public venues throughout Halifax from July 17 to 31.
The festivities will feature Symphony Nova Scotia musicians giving live performances at venues like the Alderney Landing Theatre, the Keshen Goodman Public Library, and the Halifax Central Library’s O’Regan Hall.
Highlights include the RDV 2017 Tall Ships Regatta Celebration on the waterfront with Natalie MacMaster, full-orchestra performances celebrating Nova Scotia with singer Reeny Smith and Mi’kmaq drummer Trevor Gould in Halifax and Dartmouth, and a charming afternoon Tea Dance with Halifax Pride at the Halifax Citadel.
The full-orchestra concerts will be conducted by Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, Symphony Nova Scotia’s Artist in Residence and Community Ambassador.
“We’re delighted to present our first-ever lineup of free summer performances throughout our community,” says Daniel.
“These concerts will be great summer fun for the whole family, and a chance to come together and celebrate some of Nova Scotia’s incredible music. We’re very grateful to the Province of Nova Scotia for helping to make this week possible, as well as our partners at Pier 21, Halifax Pride, and Waterfront Development.”
Concerts are free of charge for all ages, and seating is first-come, first-served.
The complete summer concert lineup includes:
CELEBRATE NOVA SCOTIA!
Wed. July 19, 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm • Pier 21, Rowe Hall, Halifax
Sat. July 22, 11:00 am and 12:30 pm • Alderney Landing Theatre, Dartmouth
Tue. July 25, 11:00 am and 12:30 pm • Halifax Central Library O’Regan Hall, Halifax
Wed. July 26, 11:00 am and 12:30 pm • Halifax Central Library O’Regan Hall, Halifax
Celebrate Nova Scotia’s vibrant musical landscape in this lively, fun, and free concert experience for the whole family! Featuring Symphony Nova Scotia, singer Reeny Smith, and drummer Trevor Gould, this full-orchestra event brings together Mi’kmaq chants and drumming, African Nova Scotian songs, Acadian fiddling, and new symphonic music – plus traditional favourites like Stan Rogers’ The Bluenose and Farewell to Nova Scotia. Don’t miss this symphonic celebration of the rich, colourful, and powerful music of our beloved home by the sea.
Symphony Nova Scotia gratefully acknowledges the support of the Province of Nova Scotia.
SCHUBERT’S UNFINISHED TROUT
Mon. July 17, 12:00 pm • Keshen Goodman Public Library, Halifax
Come join us and hear the tale of how composer Franz Schubert came to be fascinated by a trout. Like all great stories, it is partly truth, and partly lies. To help illustrate our story, the Gatto Dolce Duo will play you some great music. Like all great music, it will be partly truth, and partly lies…
HALIFAX PRIDE TEA DANCE
Sun. July 23, 1:00 pm • Garrison Grounds, Halifax Citadel
Symphony Nova Scotia and Halifax Pride present a charming afternoon Tea Dance of splendid waltzes for waltzing, bouncy polkas for polking, and light classics for listening! Then stick around for a change in tempo as we continue to boogie to disco tunes. Free for all ages.
THE LIBRARY PLAYERS GO FOR BAROQUE!
Mon. July 24, 12:00 pm • Woodlawn Public Library, Dartmouth
Join Symphony Nova Scotia musicians Max Kasper, Yi Lee, and Anita Gao Lee for an informative and fun look at some of your favourite Baroque composers. Come and hear beautiful trio sonatas by Corelli, Bach, Handel, Telemann, and more. Plus, to aid your enjoyment of the music, Max will also share entertaining stories about the composers’ lives. (We might even talk a bit about what the heck a “trio sonata” is!)
RDV 2017 TALL SHIPS REGATTA CELEBRATION
Sat. July 29, 8:00 pm • Salter Street Block, Halifax Waterfront
Celebrate the Tall Ships with Cape Breton’s Grammy-winning, world-famous, multiple-gold-album superstar! The one and only Natalie MacMaster joins forces with Symphony Nova Scotia for one of the must-see free events of the summer – a foot-stomping, crowd-pleasing performance of down-home jigs, reels, and strathspeys that’ll have the whole family step-dancing in the street. Plus, Symphony Nova Scotia and the Elmer Iseler Singers perform a lush symphonic tribute to Canada 150, featuring some of the nation’s best-loved and most popular songs – topped off by a surprise grand finale with cannons and fireworks!
THE NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA LIVE – CURRENTLY SOLD OUT!
Mon. July 31, 7:30 pm • Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, Halifax
In celebration of Canada’s 150th, the National Youth Orchestra of Canada returns to Halifax for the first time in over a decade as a part of their Edges of Canada tour! Hear 92 of the best young musicians in the country perform live alongside indigenous Canadian artists in this thrilling, inspirational concert experience. Featuring Strauss’ spectacular Death and Transfiguration, Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, and The Unsilent Project – a brand-new, youth-oriented response to Truth and Reconciliation.
For more information about Symphony Nova Scotia’s summer season, visit www.symphonynovascotia.ca.
ABOUT SYMPHONY NOVA SCOTIA
Symphony Nova Scotia is Nova Scotia’s orchestra. With a home base in Halifax and performances across the province, Symphony Nova Scotia reaches more than 50,000 Nova Scotians of all ages each year with a diverse mix of concerts, free community programs, and educational outreach. Under the thoughtful and dynamic leadership of Music Director Bernhard Gueller, it is the largest employer in Nova Scotia’s cultural community, and has won many awards, including five East Coast Music Awards for classical music. Visit symphonynovascotia.ca to learn more, listen online, or get tickets today!
