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Writer's pictureAmy O'Neill

Musical Ensembles in Nova Scotia

Looking for a place to play in 2024/25? Check out these ensembles!


Feisty Flutes flute ensemble
Feisty Flutes flute ensemble

 

(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.


 

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



 

(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



 

(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.


 

(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


More info: Laura Mercer              Facebook



 

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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