Upcoming Performances
The Stage at St. Andrew's presents a variety of performances throughout the year, includes this year's Rising Tide concert series, the Halifax Gay Men's Chorus, Symphony Nova Scotia, and much more!
We invite you to join us in bringing community to musicians.
18
January
2026
Symphony Nova Scotia: Vivaldi Meets the Middle East
2:00pm
Featuring
Julia Wedman, leader & violin solo
Mohammad Sahraei, tar & daf
Kirsty Money, nyckelharpa
On the program
Antonio Vivaldi: “Grosso Mogul” Violin Concerto
Francesco Geminiani: Concerto Grosso, “La Folia”
Georg Philipp Telemann:
• Overture, Les Moscovites and Les Turcs from Les Nations
• Allegro from Concerto Polonaise
Antonio Martín y Coll: Diferencias sobre la gayta and Passacalle from Flores de músic
Henry Purcell: Curtain Tune from Timon of Athens
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Rondo alla Turca (Turkish March)
Plus, traditional Persian music, Swedish polskas, original compositions from Mohammad Sahraei, and more!
Vivaldi meets the Middle East in this engaging and immersive concert experience! Discover the intersection of baroque and folk with Persian and Swedish music and instruments. Mohammad Sahraei, a multi-instrumentalist and ethnomusicologist originally from Iran, plays the tar and daf, while our very own Kirsty Money plays the nyckelharpa in this concert of Middle Eastern and European classics. Symphony Nova Scotia also premieres Vivaldi’s “Grosso Mogul” Violin Concerto – one of the most famous concertos of the Baroque era apart from The Four Seasons – and performs highlights from Telemann, Purcell, Geminiani, Mozart, and more.
24
January
2026
Cecilia Concerts:
Mark Fewer & Mathieu Gaudet
7:30pm
Pianist Mathieu Gaudet and violinist Mark Fewer come together for a captivating program that spans two centuries of musical brilliance. With a deep connection to Beethoven’s "Spring Sonata," Gaudet and Fewer infuse it with a lively vibrancy, intertwining lyrical beauty with dynamic energy. Canadian composer Chris Paul Harman’s "After Clementi" offers a bold, contemporary reimagining of classical forms, pushing boundaries and exploring new textures, and George Enescu’s "Romanian Folk Style Sonata" weaves evocative melodies and intricate harmonies, immersing listeners in the rich landscape of Eastern European folk traditions. The program also features the premier of an original composition from Mathieu Gaudet. A Juno Award-winner, Fewer brings expressive depth and fearless versatility to every performance, while Gaudet's nuanced playing adds clarity and warmth. Known for his extensive repertoire and innovative artistry, Gaudet’s performance is complemented by Fewer’s genre-defying violin mastery, with over 200 works premiered throughout his career. Together, they deliver a performance that celebrates the fusion of tradition and innovation, blending virtuosity, emotion, and creativity in a truly dynamic experience. Season Sponsor: Nice Moves / Red Door Realty.
ARTISTS: Mark Fewer, violin; Mathieu Gaudet, piano
21
February
2026
Cecilia Concerts:
Christian Paquette & Steve Cowan
7:30pm
Flutist Christian Paquette and guitarist Steve Cowan present a wonderful program that spans a wide range of musical styles, blending classical, contemporary, and folk traditions. Paquette and Cowan bring intensity and emotion to "Fish Tale" by composer Alexander Golijev, an evocative exploration of sound, and provide a captivating take on "Towards the Sea" by Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu, a serene and expansive work inspired by the natural world. Their arrangements of Claude Debussy’s "Trois pièces" offer fresh insight into the composer’s delicate textures and intricate harmonies. The program also features "Noble Folk Suite" by Nova Scotian composer Derek Charke, showcasing lively rhythms and engaging melodies. "Histoire du Tango" by Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla adds fiery passion to the performance, while Béla Bartók’s "Romanian Folk Dances" infuse the concert with vibrant folk melodies and rhythmic energy. With Paquette’s expressive flute and Cowan’s precise guitar work, this performance celebrates a dynamic fusion of artistry, innovation, and tradition. Their unique pairing of flute and guitar offers a refreshing and intimate concert experience, rich in colour and contrast.
1
March
2026
Nova Sinfonia with Dalhousie Collegium Cantorum
2:00pm
Sunday, March 1, 2026, 2:00 pm, St. Andrews United Church, Halifax. Adult: $30, Student: $15
Conductor: Gary Ewer
Guests: Dalhousie Collegium Cantorum
PROGRAM:
Johannes Brahms: A German Requiem
Nova Sinfonia performs concerts of classical, romantic, 20th-century and pops music. Founded in 1995, the symphony orchestra is comprised of professional and amateur musicians who rehearse and perform orchestral repertoire together. The orchestra strives to provide a high standard of musical performance as a complement to the musical offerings within the community.
One of the goals of Nova Sinfonia is to provide an opportunity for musicians from the Maritimes to perform as guest artists. To this end, we have engaged young musicians from the community who are at the beginning of their careers as well as performers who are well established, often bringing them home to Nova Scotia for the performance.
Dalhousie Collegium Cantorum is a new 80-100 voice auditioned choir, a collaborative venture with the Dalhousie University Music Department.
14
March
2026
Cecilia Concerts:
Charles Yang & Peter Dugan
7:30pm
The genre-defying duo of vocalist-violinist Charles Yang and pianist Peter Dugan presents a thrilling program that spans classical virtuosity, soulful resonance, and contemporary innovation. A multiple GRAMMY Award-winner and recipient of the Leonard Bernstein Award, Charles Yang blends classical and electric violin with soul-stirring vocals, having performed as a soloist with orchestras worldwide and collaborated with top recording artists. Peter Dugan, a sought-after multi-genre pianist and host of NPR’s “From the Top,” who has performed with luminaries like Itzhak Perlman and Renee Fleming, brings his dynamic artistry to this program. Both graduates of The Juilliard School, they serve as Artists-in-Residence at New York’s Kaufman Music Center and the Cali School of Music at Montclair State University. This performance fuses their classical roots with fearless improvisation, weaving a rich tapestry of sound that bridges musical worlds. Yang and Dugan’s synergy promises a dazzling celebration of creativity, offering an unforgettable night of music-making. Season Sponsor: Nice Moves / Red Door Realty.
This performance is made possible with the generous support of Christopher Hopgood.
28
March
2026
Cecilia Concerts:
IDENTITY: A Song Cycle
7:30pm
The Toronto world premiere of the song cycle IDENTITY was described by soprano Measha Brueggergosman-Lee as 'a truly astonishing happening; a feast for the eyes and ears.' In early June 2020, during the Black Lives Matter movement, Torontonian baritone Elliot Madore opened up on social media about his struggles with unabashedly expressing his identity as a biracial person. Director Joel Ivany and Madore came together to find a way to present to the Canadian arts community the universal themes behind Madore's moving Instagram post. To give voice to these complex questions of multicultural identity, they turned to JUNO Award-winning composer Dinuk Wijeratne - whose genre-defying fusion of global musical traditions has established him as Canada's leading voice in cross-cultural composition. Wijeratne's globally-infused score seamlessly blends Western classical music with an array of musical traditions, including those from South Asia and the Middle East, as well as modern Pop and Jazz idioms - creating a musical language as multifaceted as the identities it explores. With poetry by acclaimed African Nova Scotian artist Shauntay Grant, whose powerful verses navigate the intricacies of 'self', the work features performances by GRAMMY Award-winning baritone Elliot Madore, bassist Tyler Emond, percussionist Nick Halley, and Wijeratne himself on piano. IDENTITY pioneers a new soundscape for multicultural storytelling—exploring how we choose to define ourselves.
11
April
2026
Cecilia Concerts:
Charlotte Thiele, Bryan Cheng, & Silvie Cheng: Legacy
7:30pm
This program brings together German violinist Charlotte Thiele, our 2025/26 Musician-in-Residence cellist Bryan Cheng, and pianist Silvie Cheng for a performance that seamlessly blends emotion, intensity, and virtuosity. The program features Alexander Glazunov’s "Sérénade espagnole" and "Chant du ménestrel", works that bring warmth and lyrical beauty to the stage, as well as Dmitri Shostakovich’s "Piano Trio no. 2 in E minor", a piece rich with dramatic contrast. The trio also performs Lili Boulanger’s evocative "2 Morceaux pour violon et piano", alongside Astor Piazzolla’s "Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas," a vivid portrayal of the four seasons in Buenos Aires, showcasing the trio’s mastery of both classical and contemporary styles. With each work, Thiele and the Chengs offer a dynamic, multifaceted musical journey. Together, these internationally acclaimed musicians bring a deep sense of collaboration and artistry, having performed at countless prestigious venues worldwide. They have also shared their talents with renowned orchestras, bringing their chamber music expertise to larger ensembles across the globe.
19
April
2026
Symphony Nova Scotia:
Purcell's King Arthur & The Fairy Queen
2:00pm
Featuring
Lionel Meunier, leader & recorder solo; Sinéad White, soprano.
On the program
George Frideric Handel: Il delirio amoroso (The Delirium of Love)
Henry Purcell: Dances and arias from King Arthur and The Fairy Queen
Symphony Nova Scotia welcomes Lionel Meunier, internationally renowned Artistic Director of the award-winning Belgian vocal ensemble Vox Luminis. Praised for his detailed, spirited approach, Lionel is joined by Irish-born soprano Sinéad White, known for her “gorgeous and subtle vocal palette” (La Scena Musicale) and “luminous soprano” (Whole Note). Together, Lionel and Sinéad take us through a program of radiant highlights from Purcell’s beloved operas, including “Fairest Isle” from King Arthur and “If Love’s a Sweet Passion” from The Fairy Queen. Plus, in a first for our orchestra, we perform Handel’s dazzling Il delirio amoroso (The Delirium of Love), showcasing virtuoso solos for violin, cello, oboe, and recorder.
25
April
2026
Cecilia Concerts:
Isidore Quartet: Brahms - The Admirer
7:30pm
The Isidore String Quartet—winners of an Avery Fisher Career Grant and of the 14th Banff International String Quartet Competition—presents a program that explores reverence, innovation, and legacy through the lens of Johannes Brahms. Often viewed as an academic traditionalist and tortured perfectionist, German composer Brahms drew deep inspiration from the compositional mastery of Johann Sebastian Bach and Ludwig van Beethoven. In this program, his radiant “Geistliches Lied” and richly textured "Quartet in B-Flat Major" are paired with Beethoven’s "Quartet Op. 18, No. 6", a work that balances classical clarity with expressive breadth. A choral arrangement by a Bach work further underscores the lineage of musical thought that Brahms so admired. With precision and warmth, violinists Adrian Steele and Phoenix Avalon, violist Devin Moore, and cellist Joshua McClendon invite audience members into a conversation across generations—one marked by polyphonic brilliance, structural integrity, and emotional depth. Formed at The Juilliard School, the quartet has brought its prize-winning and adventurous spirit to major stages around the world.
2
May
2026
NSYO: A Joyous Trilogy
2:00pm
Featuring
Denise Grant, conductor
The Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra
On the program
Quinn Mason: A Joyous Trilogy
Missy Mazzoli: Sinfonia (for Orbiting Spheres)
John Weinzweig: Round Dance
Malcolm Forsyth: Atayoskewin Suite
Led by Denise Grant – a conductor and educator who has held positions at Memorial University, the University of Toronto, and the University of Regina – this concert features three exciting works. First, enjoy Mason’s A Joyous Trilogy, an inviting piece that’s sure to put you in a good mood. Next, hear Mazzoli’s Sinfonia (for Orbiting Spheres), which the composer describes as “music in the shape of a solar system”, and Weinzweig’s Round Dance, a short and invigorating work for orchestra with a “Canadian folk flavour”. Finally, Forsyth’s JUNO Award-winning piece Atayoskewin Suite closes out our concert. Come join the young musicians of the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra for this delightful season finale performance!
Tickets are $30 or $10 for students (HST included). Tickets for 12 and under are free with the purchase of an Adult ticket (Halifax performance only).
4
May
2026
Nova Sinfonia: Conductor Greg Burton
Soloist Brittany Cann (Sporano)
7:30pm
Concert Program:
• Mozart Symphony No. 24
• Beethoven Abscheulicher O Komm (Leonora's Aria - Fidelio)
• Mozart Non mi dir (Donna Anna's Aria - Don Giovanni)
• Mozart Porgi Amor (The Countess' Aria - Le nozze di Figaro)
• Delius Thow Pieces for Small Orchestra
• Beethoven Symphony No. 1
Nova Sinfonia performs concerts of classical, romantic, 20th-century and pops music. Founded in 1995, the symphony orchestra is comprised of professional and amateur musicians who rehearse and perform orchestral repertoire together. The orchestra strives to provide a high standard of musical performance as a complement to the musical offerings within the community.
One of the goals of Nova Sinfonia is to provide an opportunity for musicians from the Maritimes to perform as guest artists. To this end, we have engaged young musicians from the community who are at the beginning of their careers as well as performers who are well established, often bringing them home to Nova Scotia for the performance.
9
May
2026
Cecilia Concerts:
Bryan Cheng and Balourdet Quartet: heartSTRINGS!
7:30pm
For his final residency concert of the season, our 2025/26 Musician-in-Residence cellist Bryan Cheng, joins the prize-winning Balourdet Quartet—who wowed our Halifax audience just a couple of years ago—for a captivating evening of chamber music that bridges the sensuous sound world of French Impressionism and the emotional depth of the Viennese Romantic tradition. The program features Maurice Ravel’s luminous “String Quartet in F major,” a piece renowned for its shimmering textures, rhythmic vitality, and refined harmonic palette. Equally compelling is Franz Schubert’s monumental “String Quintet in C major,” widely regarded as one of the greatest achievements in the chamber music repertoire—introspective, expansive, and rich with lyrical beauty. Cheng, known for his interpretive insight and expressive range, brings added resonance to Schubert’s poignant score, while the Balourdet Quartet delivers performances marked by warmth, clarity, and a deep sense of ensemble connection. Together, these five string players offer a richly layered musical experience that balances structure with spontaneity, lightness with gravity, and precision with heart.