Partner Focus: Symphony Nova Scotia

During our milestone year celebrating 75 years of believing in Nova Scotian talent, we take the opportunity to appreciate the organizations that work with us to provide opportunities to many of our scholarship recipients: 

Over several decades, Symphony Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Talent Trust have exemplified a symbiotic advocacy for culture, that continues to inspire intergenerational commitment and positive responses to change. Both organizations have shared in the responsibilities of nurturing meaningful artistic and community engagement.

Talent Trust recipients Jane Archibald, Barbara Hannigan, Denise Djokic, Heemin Choi, Suzanne Rigden, Breagh MacKinnon, Lukas Pearse, Karen Myatt and Suzi LeBlanc were full of potential and in search of guidance, training and recognition. It was at this crucial point that the Talent Trust Scholarship Program provided support and encouragement, like it did for over 1,000 aspiring artists of all disciplines, for the past 75 years.

Once matured into their artistry, Symphony Nova Scotia has welcomed many of these deserving artists to collaborate on stage in special concerts or as its members. Musicians like First Violinist and Assistant Concertmaster Jennifer Jones; Principal Hornist David Parker; Cellist Hilary Brown; and percussionist, teacher, and Education and Community Outreach Coordinator D’Arcy Gray all had their early beginnings with some Talent Trust help.

We’re thrilled to mark our 75th anniversary by celebrating with sister organizations like Symphony Nova Scotia, and the remarkable people who form this community.

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Soprano Jane Archibald Sings with Symphony Nova Scotia on May 4 & 5, 2019.

Jane Archibald joins the Symphony Nova Scotia and its 80-voice chorus for an exquisite, emotional aria in Mozart’s dazzling, divinely beautiful Great Mass in C Minor.

May 4, 2019 at 7:30 pm

& May 5, 2019 at 2:00 pm 

Rebecca Cohn Auditorium 

6101 University Ave, Halifax

Jane Archibald’s career trajectory has taken her from Canada to San Francisco to the Vienna State Opera and major opera houses on both continents.

After beginning her professional opera career in her native Canada, Jane was an Adler Fellow and Merola participant with the San Francisco Opera. She then moved to the Vienna State Opera as a member of the ensemble, debuting many coloratura roles.

The 2017/18 saw Jane performing frequently with the Canadian Opera Company as their first-ever Artist-in Residence, singing the roles of Zdenka in Arabella, Konstanze in Die Entführung aus dem Serail and the title role in The Nightingale and other Short Fables. She also performed Carmina Burana with the Orquesta Nacional d’Espana in Madrid and Armida in Rinaldo, on tour with the English Concert.

The 2018/19 season will find Jane performing le Feu/ la Princesse/ le Rossignol in L'enfant et les sortilèges at the BBC Proms and Lucerne Festival under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle, her role debut as Mathilde in Theater an der Wien’s production of William Tell, as Cunégonde in Candide with both the London Symphony Orchestra and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, and as the title role in Oper Frankfurt’s Daphne. She will also give numerous concert performances including in Bach’s St. Matthew Passion with Orchestre National de Lyon; Mozart’s Great Mass in C minor with Symphony Nova Scotia, and Britten’s Les Illuminations and Grieg’s Peer Gynt with the Oregon Symphony.

Her many concert highlights include Mozart’s Exsultate Jubilate with Lorin Mazel and the Orchestra of La Scala, Brahms’ Requiem with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra and Michael Tilson-Thomas, Messiaen’s Poèmes pour Mi with Christian Thielemann and the Berlin Philharmonic and Mozart arias with the Camerata Salzburg and Louis Langrée.

Jane has featured on multiple recordings and DVDs. Her first solo CD, a programme of Haydn coloratura arias, was released on the ATMA Classique label and won a JUNO Award for Classical Album of the Year. A newly released recording of Die Entführung aus dem Serail (June 2016) with conductor Jéremie Rhorer, is receiving rave reviews, as is her recording of Messiaen's Poèmes pour Mi with Ludovic Morlot and the Seattle Symphony.

Full biography can be found on https://imgartists.com/roster/jane-archibald/

Holiday Favourite The Nutcracker Returns with Talent Trust Dance Scholarship Recipients in the Cast

Scene from The Nutcracker. This year's holiday favourite runs December 7-16 at the Rebecca Cohn in Halifax.

Holiday favourite The Nutcracker returns to the stage in Halifax December 7-16, with a number of Talent Trust dance scholarship recipients in the cast: Anais Grant Church, Ellery Jackson, Vivian Macnab, Alexis Milligan, Maggie Oates-Johnson, and Mollie Oates-Johnson.

Leica Hardy, who has taught many Talent Trust scholarship recipients through the Leica Hardy School of Dance, celebrates her 28th year as the director/choreographer.

Symphony Nova Scotia, in partnership with Halifax Dance and Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia, presents the magical tale, which features larger-than-life puppets, spirited dancing, and the beloved music of Tchaikovsky.

Details
Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, Halifax
December 7-16, 2018

Tickets
$15 and up (student/child)
$30 and up (adult)

Showtimes vary, with evening and afternoon performances. For more information and tickets, visit the Symphony Nova Scotia website.

Karen Myatt is the Feature Performer at Atlantic Fashion Week 2018

Karen Myatt is the feature performer
at this year's Atlantic Fashion Week

Karen Myatt will be the feature performer at Atlantic Fashion Week 2018, which takes place in Halifax on October 18 - 20. She’ll be returning for her second straight year, performing with acclaimed pianist Holly Arsenault.

Karen received Talent Trust scholarships to assist with her studies in voice. She attended the Randolph Academy in Toronto, and is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City.

Karen has established a career with a very full schedule since then. Her summer has been particularly busy, debuting with Symphony Nova Scotia in the fabulous Thorgy and the Thorchestra! and most recently performing on Neptune Theatre’s Studio stage in her two-night, sold-out show Blues Deluxe.

She’ll follow her Atlantic Fashion Week performances with Jazz Noir at the Halifax Distilling Co. on October 26.

From Karen: “They bring the style, and we bring the swing. A nice mix of classic and contemporary jazz standards will complement the soirées and the amazing array of designs on display.”

Atlantic Fashion Week marks its 12th year in 2018. The three-day event supports emerging and established fashion designers of both the Atlantic region and nationally known Canadian designers. 

Showcases are at 350 Horseshoe Lake Drive in Halifax. Visit the Atlantic Fashion Week website for details.

To learn more about Karen and to catch up with her concert schedule, visit her website: karenmyatt.net.

Port Cities Debuts with Symphony Nova Scotia in 2018 Halifax Pop Explosion

Tickets are going fast for this one — Breagh Mackinnon, with Port Cities bandmates Carleton Stone, Dylan Guthro, will perform in their first-ever concert with Symphony Nova Scotia on October 19 and 20. The show is part of the 2018 Halifax Pop Explosion. 

The Rebecca Cohn Auditorium in Halifax is the perfect setting for Port Cities' atmospheric, intimate sound, which will feature brand-new orchestral arrangements, conducted by Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser. 

Breagh received the Talent Trust Chico Berardi Special Award for Excellence in 2013. She was a nominee for the Nova Scotia Music Best New Artist award as well as an East Coast Music Association (ECMA) Rising Star award that same year.

Port Cities has received five Nova Scotia Music Awards, a SOCAN #1 Award (for their song “Back to the Bottom”), and hit #1 on CBC and Spotify music charts. The band is also multiple ECMA award nominees.

Ticket Information

October 19, 2018 at 7:30 pm

Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, Halifax

October 20, 2018 at 7:30 pm

Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, Halifax

To purchase in person

Dalhousie Arts Centre (Rebecca Cohn Auditorium Box Office)

6101 University Avenue, Halifax NS

Monday-Friday, 12 pm to 6 pm, and one hour before each concert

By phone (service charge applied)

1 800.874.1669, or locally at 902.494.3820.

Monday-Friday, 12 pm to 6 pm, and one hour before each concert

For more information on the concert and tickets visit the Symphony Nova Scotia website.

Karen Myatt in Thorgy’s Thorchestra! with Symphony Nova Scotia

Photo by Michèle Parent of Chèle Photo Couture

Karen Myatt is a busy woman. She's about to make her Symphony Nova Scotia debut as guest vocalist for the highly-anticipated Thorgy and the Thorchestra!

The show, part of Halifax Pride 2018, is described as a "thrilling, thoughtful, and hilariously theatrical show featuring the fabulous Thorgy Thor, famed worldwide from the hit show RuPaul’s Drag Race." 

Performances are Friday, July 27 and Saturday, July 28, 7:30 p.m. at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium in Halifax. 

For tickets, call the Symphony box office at 902.494.3820, visit 6101 University Avenue, or you can purchase tickets online.

Karen received Talent Trust scholarships in 2003 and 2004. She studied at the Randolph Academy in Toronto and is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City.

Her appearance with Thorgy and the Thorchestra! follows a recent pair of soirées at the Halifax Distilling Co., with a third show in that series on August 17, plus an upcoming concert on Friday, July 20 at Sandy Cove's Zion United Church, which is part of the Cove Summer Music Series.

For more information on Karen's music and upcoming concerts, visit karenmyatt.net.

Suzanne Rigden, soprano performs in Mozart's Messiah on December 21 and December 22, 2017 with Symphony NS in Halifax

Suzanne Rigden will perform

suzannerigden.com

in Mozart's Messiah on 

December 21, 2017 and
December 22, 2017
at 7:30 p.m.
Rebecca Cohn Auditorium in Halifax

This evening will feature:

Bernhard Gueller, conductor
Suzanne Rigden, sopranoLauren Segal, mezzo-soprano
Owen McCausland, tenor
Brett Polegato, baritone
The Symphony Nova Scotia Chorus, with the Halifax Camerata Singers under the artistic direction of Jeff Joudrey

From Symphony NS' website:

For the first time in over 15 years, Symphony Nova Scotia presents Mozart’s magnificent Messiah! Once a staple of Christmas concerts worldwide, Mozart’s 1789 arrangement of Handel’s great oratorio is now rarely performed – but it remains a rich, dramatic, and nuanced interpretation that showcases both composers’ incredible genius. With added woodwinds, horns, and trombones, and a variety of new classical colours and flourishes, Mozart’s Messiah is a grand, fascinating masterpiece, and a chance to discover this beloved holiday favourite all over again.

More about Suzanne Rigden can be found at https://www.suzannerigden.com/

For tickets go to: https://symphonynovascotia.ca/concerts-and-tickets/concerts/rebecca-cohn-auditorium/mozarts-messiah/

Denise Djokic performs with Symphony NS on Thursday, October 26, 2017 in Halifax

Cellist Denise Djokic is back in 

Denisedjokic.com

Halifax to join Symphony Nova Scotia. She will perform Shostokavich's Cello Concerto No.1.

Thursday, October 26, 2017 at 7:30 pm 

Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, Halifax

From Symphony Nova Scotia's newsletter:

Her spectacular career has included a performance at the Grammy Awards, a top-15 spot on Billboard’s classical charts, and rave reviews for her “arrestingly beautiful tone colour” (The Strad) and “hugely impressive technique” (BBC Music).

Here's what Denise had to say about the concert:

“I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to perform the Shostakovich Concerto No. 1 with Symphony Nova Scotia! I've grown with this concerto since my childhood, and it will be very special to play it with Symphony Nova Scotia for the first time. It is a deeply moving and passionate work that I feel fortunate to share with both an orchestra and audience that are so close to me."

Get your tickets for this concert today! Call 902.494.3820 or click here

More about Denise can be found at her website: http://denisedjokic.com/

Reeny Smith performs with Symphony Nova Scotia July 19 - July 26, 2017 at various locations.

Reeny Smith will perform with Symphony Nova Scotia

Photo: Reeny Smith website

Wednesday, July 19, 12:30 and 2:00 pm
Pier 21, Rowe Hall, Halifax

Saturday, July 22, 11:00 am and 12:30 pm
Alderney Landing Theatre, Dartmouth

Tuesday, July 25, 11:00 am and 12:30 pm
Wednesday, July 26, 11:00 am and 12:30 pm
Halifax Central Library O’Regan Hall, Halifax

From the Symphony Nova Scotia website: 

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 dancing, 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.

You can find more information about Reeny Smith at http://www.iamreeny.com/

Hannah Mae Cruddas will dance in Sleeping Beauty with Ballet Joergen

Hannah Mae Cruddas

Hannah Mae Cruddas
Screen Shot from Symphony NS website

(2007 NSTT Lieutenant Governor's Award) will be performing with Ballet Jörgen in Sleeping Beauty on 
April 8 and April 9 
at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium. 

To purchase tickets go to Symphony NS website or to learn more at Ballet Jörgen's website.

Jana Miller, soprano debuts with Symphony Nova Scotia

Jana Miller, 2009/2011 NSTT Portia White Award

Congratulations to Jana Miller for her debut with Symphony Nova Scotia and Vivien Shotwell, former NSTT scholarship recipient.

Händel's Messhia

Friday, December 19, 7:30 pm

Saturday, December 20, 7:30 pm

Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, Halifax

Featuring: 
Jordan de Souza, conductor
Jana Miller, soprano 
Vivien Shotwell, alto
Colin Ainsworth, tenor

Jon-Paul Décosse, bass

The Symphony Nova Scotia Chorus
with core choir the Halifax Camerata Singers

For more information please go to www.symphonynovascotia.ca

Jean Archibald, soprano performs in Halifax on May 1st and May 4th

Thursday, May 1, 2014, 7:30 p.m.

Jane Archibald

Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, Halifax

Featuring:
Jane Archibald, soprano (NSTT scholarship recipient)

Bernhard Gueller, conductor

Mozart: Symphony no. 25 • Concert arias
Tchaikovsky: Mozartiana (Suite no. 4)
Strauss: “Grossmächtige Prinzessin” from Ariadne auf Naxos

Since her beginnings in Truro, Nova Scotia, Jane Archibald has emerged as one of the most in-demand sopranos of our time. Her stratospheric rise to fame and “brilliant vocal pyrotechnics” have enthralled both critics and audiences alike (The Globe and Mail). Now, Jane returns home for two very special performances with Symphony Nova Scotia. In this first festival concert, Jane will sing several of Mozart’s virtuoso concert arias, alongside “Grössmachtige Prinzessin” from Strauss’ beloved Ariadne auf Naxos. Our expanded orchestra also performs Tchaikovsky’s stunning “Mozartiana” and Mozart’s Symphony no. 25.

Tickets: $30-57 (HST included). Or, buy a ticket package to save up to 30% and receive special benefits and rewards.