Symphony Nova Scotia is truly Nova Scotia’s orchestra. With a home base in Halifax and performances across the province, Symphony Nova Scotia reaches more than 50,000 Nova Scotians of all ages each year with some of the most innovative concerts and educational offerings in the country.

Though Symphony Nova Scotia had its origins with the Halifax Symphony (1897-1908, 1955-1968), the Halifax Sinfoniette (1947-1955), and the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra (1968-1984), the orchestra as we know it began in 1983 with only 13 full-time musicians.

Today, under the thoughtful and dynamic leadership of Music Director Bernhard Gueller, it is the largest employer in Nova Scotia’s cultural community, employing 37 musicians and ten administrative staff, along with over 150 contracted artistic, production and technical personnel. Its talented team has won many awards, including four East Coast Music Awards for classical music.

The orchestra has repeatedly been praised for its versatility and flexibility, performing everything from baroque to pops to jazz with equal finesse. International music veteran Howard Cable calls Symphony Nova Scotia “the most versatile orchestra in Canada,” and the Chronicle Herald says, “They can play it all: Beethoven, Shostakovich, Hatzis and Current, as well as Tommy Dorsey, Scott Macmillan, Rose Cousins, Buck 65 and Natalie MacMaster. We are, in this province, exceedingly fortunate to have them.”

Symphony Nova Scotia also places a high priority on community engagement and corporate social responsibility. Its education programs reach over 15,000 elementary, junior, and senior high school students each year – students who may not otherwise have access to symphonic music. The Symphony also conducts many accessible community programs, including pre-concert chats, performances in local public libraries, and free community concerts.

Every year, Acadia University presents and hosts an amazing variety of cultural and arts events. Included are concerts in a broad range of musical styles, classical and contemporary theatre, stimulating literary events and lectures, unique exhibitions of art, and the Acadia Performing Arts Series. Whether the artists already have an international reputation or if they are developing stars of tomorrow, they are delighted to have the community participate and share their work. There are choices here for every taste and budget. We invite you to look over the selection and mark your calendar today!

The Souris Show Hall’s rich history makes it the oldest theatre on PEI. The Hall provides a beautiful, historic space with wonderful acoustics for live music and theatre. Red seats donated from The Confederation Centre creates a rich, comfortable interior accommodating 150 guests. Souris Show Hall has been rejuvenated in the last 5 years and provides Islanders and Visitors a wonderful venue for live music and theatre.

Since 1971, the Dalhousie Arts Centre has been a key feature in Nova Scotia’s arts and culture landscape. The Dalhousie Arts Centre is home to the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, which regularly features performances by local talent as well as world-famous national and international entertainers.