Christmas Eve at Bethany United

On Christmas Eve, I was back for a third year of playing preludes and accompanying carols at Bethany United Church's lovely traditional evening service. The service featured the church choir, and Shawn Whynot on organ and piano.

Christmas Cantata

I had the pleasure of working this year with the Wolfville Baptist Church Choir, led by Heather Price. We performed Glad Tidings of Great Joy, a cantata by Robert Hebble for choir, organ, and harp. We were joined by Dorothy King, narrator, and four dancers.

Make We Merrie Both Alle and Somme

I was back at West Dublin Hall last evening for a medieval Christmas celebration concert with Jude Pelley, Charlie Wilson, and Lindsey Meagher. There were boughs, candles, costumes, and mulled wine for the occasion.

Lucid CD Release

This week, my bandmate India Gailey is performing CD release shows to celebrate her debut solo album, Lucid. There are still two more chances to see the show: Antigonish on Dec 16, and Halifax on Dec 18. I play and sing with her on the first track, A Gaijin (Foreigner) Walks Between Towering Chords Hundreds of Years Old, a new composition by Lucas Oickle. For more information about India, check out her new website: indiayeshe.com

Sam Wilson is performing with India at these shows, having also released a new and very beautiful EP: Into A Heart. 

Student Recital

This year's December student recital was held in the concert hall at the Conservatory, with seven students performing. It was wonderful to see the students share the results of their hard work with each other, and to see the pieces come to life in performance. I can't wait to continue working with these excellent people again after the break!  

Thanks to Jacqueline for the photo

Wassail

This past weekend was a reprise of last year's popular Wassail concert with Pennybrook and the Manning Chapel Choir, conducted by John Scott. This year, we went on a small tour, performing in Wolfville on Saturday and in Lunenburg on Sunday. The fabulous Kirsty Money was also added to the band on nyckelharpa. 

Wolfville, photo: Katy Hopkins

Lunenburg, photo: John Scott

Let Peace Be All Around

Music Therapists Erin Montgomery and Darrel Cameron have created a beautiful relaxation recording for patients and families at the Nova Scotia Health Authority. Erin and Darrel are so skilled, generous, and thoughtful, and the work they do brings much needed joy and comfort at some of the most difficult times. The album is titled "Let Peace Be All Around" and is available for free download for anyone at the following link: store.cdbaby.com/cd/erinmontgomery2

About this project:

Music Therapy is an integral aspect of the care offered to patients on the palliative care unit at the Victoria General Hospital, and for residents living at the Veterans Memorial Building. In these settings, music therapy interventions routinely assist patients and residents to reduce their anxiety, pain perception, to induce a relaxation response, and provide comfort and increased quality of life. 

The goal for this project was to make a recording that feels as if the musicians were present in the room, at the bedside. The songs were chosen because of the inherent beauty of their melodies and lyrics that offer comfort and hope. We set them in acoustic arrangements similar to what a music therapy intervention might sound like. 

Certified Music Therapists Erin Montgomery, Darrel Cameron and Johanne Gallant produced this recording to be a resource for patients and families at the Nova Scotia Health Authority. Musicians Gina Burgess (violin), Ellen Gibling (harp) and Linda Schroeder (flute) have been volunteering on the palliative care unit for many years, and they have graciously lent their talents to this project as well.

Advent Show 2017

Last night was the opening for this year's Advent Show, at the Spatz Theatre! The show continues with performances tonight, Saturday afternoon, and Saturday evening. The cast is bigger than ever this year, featuring 20 local singers, dancers, and instrumentalists. Click here for more info: adventshow.com/

Photos by
 Timothy Richard