Fictional Music Film

Tom Richards has created a beautiful 20-minute film version of Fictional Music, his multi-storey installation piece that we performed in April at the Halifax Central Library!

Christmas Eve at Bethany United Church

I was delighted to be back at Bethany United for their Christmas Eve service, playing a solo prelude and couple of pieces with the choir. Thanks to music director Shawn Whynot for inviting me to play!

Wassail!

This year I returned for the fifth time to play with the Manning Chapel Choir as part of their holiday concert, Wassail! The choir was directed as always by John Scott and this year featured soloists soprano Nicole Jordan, cellist Catherine Little, and percussionist Ken Shorley, along with the usual ensemble of myself, Charlie, and Jude.

Inner Space Trio Concert

Last week, the Traffic Light Trio was reunited for a house concert through Inner Space Concerts. Jack Chen, Sue Sayle, and I played three works for flute, viola, and harp: Elizabeth Poston's Trio, Sofia Gubaidulina's Garden of Joy and Sorrow, and André Jolivet's Petite Suite.

First Baptist Lessons and Carols

Last weekend, First Baptist Church held its annual Carols by Candlelight service. This year, the choir performed selections from Conrad Susa's "Carols and Lullabies", accompanied by harp and directed by Lynette Wahlstrom. 

Many Worlds

 This brand new band, Many Worlds, had its debut show last week at Radstorm!

Sheet Music Store

This week I launched a new sheet music store on Etsy! Following the Huron Harp Festival, I received a few specific requests for sheet music, so I have made those pieces available here: www.ellengiblingharp.etsy.com

So far, only Duine Air Call and Garden River are for sale, but I'll continue to add arrangements as requests come in. The arrangements are for solo harp, written just as I would play them in performance. However, I'm working on some more pedagogical material... stay tuned!

photo by Jamie Kronick

Fauré Requiem

This weekend, Capella Regalis Choirs presented a very beautiful free concert of the Fauré Requiem at All Saints Cathedral, conducted by Nick Halley. Photo by Vitaminbea.

Bombadils and Magpies

The Bombadils shared a bill at the Carleton last week with a lovely band from the UK - The Magpies! This has been an exciting time for the Bombadils, as they just won Americana/Bluegrass Recording of the year from Music Nova Scotia and have been nominated in three categories at the Canadian Folk Music Awards: Vocal Group of the Year, Ensemble of the Year, and Single of the Year (for Tell Me I'm Not Dreaming). 

Elizabeth Fry Society Gala

I recently was introduced to the work of the Elizabeth Fry Society through playing at their fundraising gala. I was very impressed by the scope of the programs they run, and the amazing team of staff with lived experience who are doing important work on the ground! Check out their website to learn more about them and donate if you are able. Thanks to Seymour Snaps for this photograph!

Folk Music Ontario

In October, I joined the Bombadils for a whirlwind showcase at Folk Music Ontario. The conference took place this year in London!

False Knight Gaza Fundraiser

About a decade ago, I recorded my first solo album "The False Knight & Other Tunes". It is a collection of music I was playing in the Montreal metro system as a busker and includes tunes from Ireland, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Scotland, the Hebrides, Asturia, England, and Quebec. 

I never released it beyond selling it while busking and at concerts! I've just now made it available on bandcamp: digital copies and limited physical copies.

100% of the proceeds from these album sales will go the Humanitarian Coalition, a group of 12 aid organizations pooling resources to help with crises internationally, and now in particular with the humanitarian catastrophe faced by Palestinians in Gaza. Until November 12th, the federal government is matching donations to the coalition, so contributions have twice the impact. I will cover all postage, payment, and bandcamp fees.

I’m very grateful for everyone out there right now organizing for peace and human rights, for the release of hostages, and calling for an immediate ceasefire as the bare minimum. http://ceasefirenow.ca/about

Thank you to everyone who has already contributed to this fundraiser!

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

New Hermitage and Carbon Arc combined forces again this year for the 4th annual Halloween Silent Film! This year's film was The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920).

The Bay Runs Far Up

Jude Pelley wrote a brand new chamber music piece for bouzouki, harp, nyckelharpa, flute, organ, and percussion which we premiered at Manning Chapel last week!

Huron Harp Festival

This month, I had the opportunity to travel to Goderich Ontario for the Huron Harp Festival! The Festival offers two days of workshops and two evening concerts. I was delighted to lead some workshops and perform alongside some amazing fellow faculty members. Many thanks to all the participants, organizers, and the incredible team of volunteers for a fabulous weekend!

Rambler's Residency

This fall, New Hermitage has a residency at Rambler's! On the first Friday of every month, we play with a different musical collaborator. The first show featured Aquakultre, and we'll have Blue Lobelia with us this coming Friday. Later this fall, we're looking forward to Special Costello on November 3rd!

New Hermitage September Tour

New Hermitage returned last week from a whirlwind road trip to Peterborough, Kingston, and Guelph. We were delighted to be performing at Jethro's Bar, (h)EAR, and the Guelph Jazz Festival!

Hayley Ryerson Natural Elements Quartet

Last week, Hayley Ryerson presented another intimate Music Room concert of her Natural Elements compositions - this time for quartet of fiddle, harp, double bass, and drums!

Bombadils August Tour

The Bombadils went on tour in August in Ontario and PEI - Parry Sound, Bobcaygeon, Perth, Toronto, Whitby, and Mont-Carmel!

Swift Return July/August Tour

Swift Return just wrapped up a tour of Nova Scotia, travelling through Sandy Cove, Canning, Arichat, Antigonish, Riverport, and Halifax. Thank you to everyone who supported this tour - our hosts, venues, audiences, friends, and the many people who helped us along the way!

New Hermitage June Tour

The New Hermitage tour through Ontario, the Yukon, and Alberta was delightful! Thank you to Canada Council for the tour support! 

Edmonton Jazz Festival at the Yardbird Suite

The view from the Dome, Dawson City, Yukon

Backstage at KIAC in Dawson City

The red tour van!

Creative Music Workshop 2023

Much gratitude to the faculty and fellow students of CMW 2023 for a wonderful experience, and to 1313 Music Association and the Halifax Jazz Festival for making it happen!

This is a short ferry terminal improvisation with some students on our way home one day last week, featuring Lynette on piano and Martha's filmmaking:

New Hermitage + Joyful Joyful + Michael C. Duguay Recording

In June, New Hermitage, Joyful Joyful, Michael C. Duguay and many other guest musicians spent a week at St. George's Round Church in Halifax, recording an album. The album is being produced by Michael and was recorded by Jake Nicoll using the amazing mobile recording unit, the Phonoautomat.

photo by Jamie Kronick

Bleep in the Dark

On Tuesday, New Hermitage played at Bleep in the Dark at Radstorm, with i.O (Victoria) and Moss Harvest (Nova Scotia)!