Musical Ensembles in Nova Scotia
- Amy O'Neill
- Jul 17, 2024
- 4 min read
Looking for a place to play in 2024/25? Check out these ensembles!
(South Shore)
Auditions: none
Age: 10 +
Fees: $60/4 week term
Start date: new term starts every ~ 2 months
Community flute group open to all ages and experience levels. Music is arranged to be approachable to a wide range of players, who can choose to play in either the beginner or intermediate ensembles. More information can be found on the O'Neill Flute Studio website or by emailing novascotiaflute@gmail.com.
Nova Scotia Junior Wind Ensemble (NSJWE) (Province-wide)
Auditions: via video March-April 2025 for following September Age: grade 6 - high school
Fees: $175 + $20 for uniform (some bursaries available)
Musicians will be accepted based on the application and a reference from your school band teacher. Teacher must be a member of the Nova Scotia Band Association.
Auditions are required for students wishing to be section leaders. Playing requirements:
Short solo piece
(Province-wide)
Auditions: via video by May 2025 for following September
Age: mostly grade 10 and up, special exceptions may be made for dedicated students
Fees: $350 (some bursaries and family rates available)
Audition playing requirements: posted on the website when auditions are open. Generally a selection of scales, a short selection from a solo piece of your choice and a short required excerpt.
(Halifax)
Auditions: via video, deadline May 31st
Age: 12 - 26
Fees: $375 plus $25 audition fee (some bursaries available)
Start date: August/September 2024
Audition playing requirements: listed here (scales, RCM level 8 solo, orchestral excerpts)
(Halifax)
Growing out of the HRCE music programs, the regional arts programs are designed to provide extra challenges to students who want to be more involved in music.
Auditions: contact Nathan Beeler for dates
Age: mainly high school, younger dedicated students also accepted
Rehearsals: Thursdays 4:30-6:30 at the Music Centre (Oxford School, Halifax)
Audition playing requirements: contact Nathan Beeler
(St. Margaret's Bay)
Ages: students in grade 7-12 from HRCE schools
Levels: up to grade 10 band repertoire
Rehearsals: Thursdays 6:30-8:00 at Five Bridges Junior High School
More info, contact Ken MacKay
(Dartmouth)
Growing out of the HRCE music programs, the regional arts programs are designed to provide extra challenges to students who want to be more involved in music.
(Dartmouth)
Auditions: none
Ages: open to all students enrolled in HRCE school bands
(Dartmouth)
Auditions: in person in Dartmouth in June
Age: high school
Audition playing requirements: sight-reading, scales and solo piece, details are listed here and here
(Dartmouth)
Rehearsals: Thursday evenings, Dartmouth Music Bldg, 35 Major St.
Dates: September to June
(Dartmouth)
Ages: over 50, no experience necessary
Rehearsals: various levels of ensembles and various times, September to June
Location: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
More info: Paul Barrett or Facebook
(Province wide)
Dates TBA
Glace Bay HS (Cape Breton), New Glasgow Academy (New Glasgow), Inglis Street School (Halifax), Long & McQuade Main St (Dartmouth), Horton High School (Annapolis Valley)
If you are in your first year of band, talk to your music teacher about coming to the Beginner Honour Band. The music will be Grade 1 (easy) band level and each attendee will also attend an individual instrumental clinic during the day.
Looking for scholarships to help you as you learn? There are some in the community available to students of all ages, and many to help if you're going on to study music at university. Check out our list here!
(Halifax)
Ages: high school through adult
Fees: $50 student, $150 adult
Rehearsals: Monday 7-9:30pm in Halifax
Check here for current vacancies or email John Rowe john.rowe@chebuctosymphony.ca.
(Halifax)
Ages: high school - adult
Rehearsals: Halifax
Dates: September - June
Nova Scotia Women's Wind Ensemble
(Halifax)
Auditions: none
Ages: high school to adult
Rehearsals: Tuesdays 6:30pm- 8:30pm , September to June
Location: Halifax West High School, Halifax
More info: communications@halifaxconcertband.ca or Facebook
(Lower Sackville)
Ages: junior high - adult
Fees: $0
Rehearsals: 9AM Band: 9:00-10:15am every Saturday, Concert Band: Saturday mornings
Location: Sackville Heights Community Centre, 45 Connolly Rd, Lower Sackville, NS
Season: September to June
More info: sackvilleband@gmail.com, info@sackvilleband.com or Facebook
(Bridgewater)
Ages: all
Fees: $0
Rehearsals: Wednesdays 7:00-9:30pm at The Bridgewater Firehall, 2nd Floor, 81 Dominion Street
Dates: runs year-round
Contact Wendell Eisener 902-521-2484
(Liverpool)
Ages: All ages and skill levels welcome.
Rehearsals: Tuesdays 7-9pm, year round
Location: Milton Community Hall in Milton (near Liverpool).
For more information: Rod MacGillivray at 902- 541- 0957 or on Facebook
(Stellarton)
Rehearsals: Sundays 6:00-7:30pm, September to June
Location: Westville Recreation Building, Stellerton, Nova Scotia
Director: Ken Henderson
(Truro)
Rehearsals: Tuesdays 7:30-9pm, September to June
Location: Colchester-East Hants Public Library, 754 Prince Street, Truro NS
More info: Ken Henderson
(Truro)
Rehearsals: Truro, NS
Scottish tunes in an orchestral setting.
More info: info@caledonianorchestra.com
(Annapolis Royal)
Rehearsals Thursdays 7:00-9:00pm at Annapolis Royal Academy Building, 143 Ritchie Street
More info on Facebook
(Greenwich)
Ages: all
Fees: $100.00 per term
Rehearsals: Mondays 7:15 to 9:15pm, September to May
Location: Bishops Hall in Greenwich, NS
More info: Sarah Shears or Rusty Neal
(Valley)
Ages: Adult
Location: Northeast Kings Education Centre, Valley, Nova Scotia
A teaching band for adults who want to learn/get back into playing a concert band instrument.
More info: Facebook
The Bedford Leisure Orchestra
(Bedford, NS)
More info: Bob Bauer
(Yarmouth)
Ages: all
Rehearsals: Tuesdays 7:00-9:00pm, September to June
Location: Yarmouth High School, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
More info: Megan Snow
Yarmouth Orchestra
(Yarmouth)
Ages: all
Rehearsals: Tuesdays 7:00-9:00pm, September to June
Location: Yarmouth High School, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
More info: Mark Palmer
(Sydney)
Rehearsals: Wednesday 6:30-8:30pm
Location: Victoria Park Armouries, Sydney NS
Season: year round
Do you have a Nova Scotian ensemble that is open to student musicians? Email your details to novascotiaflute@gmail.com.
All information is up to date at the time of publishing, but confirm details with individual ensemble directors.
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