Symphony Nova Scotia at 54

Music has been a significant part of life in Mi’kma’ki for many thousands of years, and classical music in particular since the founding of Halifax in 1749. Musicians of various European origins brought their instruments, musical traditions, and tastes with them, and their commitment to and joy of music-making planted the seeds for the vibrant Symphony Nova Scotia we know today. The region’s musical story is a testament to the hard work and creativity of the musicians who have shared their music so generously over the centuries, the instrument makers, composers, and music teachers who worked alongside them, and the scores of dedicated community volunteers who supported them. This book tells their stories.

Symphony Nova Scotia at 40: A Milestone of Musical History marks the fortieth anniversary of Symphony Nova Scotia and offers a fascinating cultural history that explores in three parts how the region’s musical past laid the ground for the orchestra’s future. The book features dozens of archival images, a foreword by world-renowned Cape Breton fiddler Natalie MacMaster, and an introduction by SNS Music Director Holly Mathieson. Written by long-time Symphony Nova Scotia supporters and board members Mary Lu MacDonald (an historian), Adrian Hoffman (a musician), and Jane Gordon (a sociologist), Symphony Nova Scotia at 40 is a one-of-a-kind collector’s item and a treasured keepsake for all lovers of orchestral music and Nova Scotia’s rich cultural history.