Expect the unexpected with Symphony Nova Scotia at the Open Waters Festival! Conducted by Karl Hirzer, this new music concert features works by incredible composers. Don’t miss this extraordinary concert of new music! Stay tuned for more details.

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Open Waters Festival

St. Andrew's United Church

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.

Vivaldi Meets the Middle East

With worldwide record sales of over 100 million, 25 gold and platinum albums, and their 2017 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Journey is one of the most celebrated bands in the world. Symphony Nova Scotia teams up with Jeans ‘n Classics for a show-stopping, spine-tingling salute to Journey’s greatest hits like Any Way You Want It, Open Arms, Who’s Cryin’ Now, Separate Ways (Worlds Apart), and Don’t Stop Believin’ – the “biggest song of all time” (Forbes).

The Music of Journey

Dalhousie University

Experience the joy and the genius of Mozart! First, hear the dramatic, timeless Overture from Don Giovanni. Then, Halifax’s own JUNO Award-winning pianist Philip Chiu returns for another showstopping performance, this time introducing rising star Halifax pianist Devin Huang. These two dynamic soloists team up for a spectacular, once-in-a-lifetime performance of Mozart’s Concerto for Two Pianos, featuring not one but two Yamaha CFX grand pianos onstage for the first time in Symphony Nova Scotia’s history. Finally, hear Mozart’s vibrant “Prague” Symphony, brimming with warmth, colour, and emotion.

Magnificent Mozart

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The Artelize Podcast and Kasper Holten - Pedefining Opera for the modern world

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Beethoven’s Violin Concerto is a mighty mammoth of the violin repertoire, renowned for its sheer scale and serene, spacious elegance. Symphony Nova Scotia proudly presents this monumental work together with virtuoso violinist Blake Pouliot – one of Canada’s most in demand young violinists and “a player who is clearly going to be a major force in the violin world” (Whole Note). Don’t miss the show stopping performance of this exhilarating orchestral triumph alongside Sibelius’ dreamy, enchanting Pelléas and Mélisande – an emotional exploration of forbidden love, deep turmoil, and the power of fate and destiny.

Beethoven’s Violin Concerto

Get ready for a spectacular performing arts event presented by IMDb, the world's most popular and authoritative source for movie, TV, and celebrity content. This unforgettable night will take place on February 14, 2026, at 8:00 PM in the renowned Rebecca Cohn Auditorium in Halifax, CA. This is your chance to immerse yourself in a world-class performance, curated by the experts in entertainment. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to experience the magic of performing arts in a whole new light. Secure your tickets now at https://tickets.artscentre.dal.ca/online and prepare for a memorable Valentine's Day with IMDb!

Darcy & Jer: Average At Best Tour

More than 80 musicians take the stage as Symphony Nova Scotia joins forces with the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra! Together, the NSYO, alongside their professional mentors from the Symphony, are proud to present an exhilarating performance of Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique. This massive, bombastic orchestral phenomenon features two tubas and two sets of timpanis, and it tells the tale of the composer’s struggle with unrequited love. Don’t miss this huge collaboration at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, with $23 tickets for everyone!

Two Orchestras Play Berlioz

All of your favourite Star Wars themes like the Imperial March and Duel of the Fates, alongside your most beloved Star Trek music from The Original Series, The Next Generation, and more!

Star Wars vs. Star Trek

It’s one of the most hauntingly beautiful works ever composed for the violin, adored the world over for its sparkling, romantic solos and expressive melodies. Symphony Nova Scotia’s very own Concertmaster Renaud Lapierre performs Bruch’s rich, immense, and passionate Violin Concerto on his prized 19th-century Parisian Vuillaume violin.* This monumental showpiece is paired with Mendelssohn’s moody, atmospheric “Scottish” Symphony, dedicated to Queen Victoria and inspired by the rugged northern vistas of the Scottish Highlands and Edinburgh’s ruined medieval splendours. *Graciously provided by Canimex Inc. from Drummondville, Québec.

Mendelssohn’s Scottish & Bruch’s Violin

Hear classic Beatles songs like Hey Jude, A Hard Day’s Night, Help, Penny Lane, Let It Be, and more!

The Beatles: Long & Winding Road

Join us in celebrating the courage, strength, and challenge that comes with arriving in a new place. We begin with a musical tribute to the Mi’kmaw people – recognizing that we are all newcomers to this land – and then we highlight what newcomers have brought to Nova Scotian shores, including music from Acadian, African, Chinese, Gaelic, and many more cultures!

FREE Family Series: Newcomers!

Halifax Central Library

Praised as “technically flawless and impeccably musical” (International Piano), 23-year-old Ukrainian pianist Illia Ovcharenko has taken the piano world by storm with his technical genius, winning the prestigious Honens International Piano Competition in 2022. Now, he makes his Symphony Nova Scotia debut performing Shostakovich’s bright, virtuosic Piano Concerto – considered a crowning achievement of his orchestral works – spotlighting our very own Curtis Dietz. Plus, our orchestra performs Ashdla’ from Raven Chacon – a Diné (or Navajo) composer and the 2022 Pulitzer Prize in Music winner – and a chamber orchestra version of Mahler’s mighty, miraculous “Titan” Symphony for the first time in almost a decade.

Mahler’s Titan Symphony

Hear iconic music from Disney’s century-long history, including The Lion King, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Mulan, Hercules, Mary Poppins, Toy Story, Frozen, and more!

Disney Pride in Concert

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear Jeremy Dutcher – JUNO and two-time Polaris Prize winner, Two-Spirit song carrier, composer, activist, ethnomusicologist, and member of Tobique First Nation – live in concert with the acclaimed National Arts Centre Orchestra, conducted by their dynamic Music Director Alexander Shelley. This electric collaboration takes over the Rebecca Cohn for one night only!

Jeremy Dutcher & the National Arts Centre Orchestra

Heather Rankin is an East Coast musical icon, famed for her soaring voice, heartfelt songwriting, and international career as part of the record-breaking Cape Breton supergroup The Rankins. Now, after our sold-out collaborations in 2019 and 2023, Symphony Nova Scotia reunites with Heather for a rich symphonic feast of favourites, including new orchestral arrangements from her award-winning solo career, plus some of The Rankin Family’s greatest hits!

Heather Rankin

Dvořák’s Cello Concerto is one of the most beloved and powerful works for cello ever written. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience this beautiful concerto performed by “Canada’s next big cello star” (CBC) Cameron Crozman, who exudes “technical perfection with a personal style that leaves us wanting to hear more” (Classica Magazine). Plus, we perform a dynamic piece from popular Canadian composer John Estacio and Dvořák’s dramatic, adventurous, and joyful Symphony No. 8 – a radiant work that’s an audience favourite around the world.

Dvořák’s Cello Concerto

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”. Finally, experience Weinzweig’s Round Dance, a short and invigorating work for orchestra with a “Canadian folk flavour”. Come join the young musicians of the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra for this delightful season finale performance!

NSYO: A Joyous Trilogy

With a string of impressive awards (including the ECMA’s Group of the Year in 2025), gold and platinum singles, sold-out international appearances, and over 100-million streams to their credit, Halifax’s own Neon Dreams are alt-pop pioneers, drawing inspiration from diverse pop, rock, folk, electronic, dance, hip-hop, and reggae influences. Known for their high-energy performances and multi-instrumental prowess, they join conductor Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser (himself a huge fan of the group) for their orchestral debut with Symphony Nova Scotia.

Events in Halifax, NS

Open Waters Festival

Symphony Nova Scotia

Vivaldi Meets the Middle ...

Symphony Nova Scotia

The Music of Journey

Symphony Nova Scotia

Magnificent Mozart

Symphony Nova Scotia

The Artelize Podcast and ...

Artelize

The Artelize Podcast - A ...

Artelize

The Artelize Podcast: A l...

Artelize

The Artelize Podcast and ...

Artelize

Beethoven’s Violin Concer...

Symphony Nova Scotia

Darcy & Jer: Average At B...

IMDb

Two Orchestras Play Berli...

Symphony Nova Scotia

Star Wars vs. Star Trek

Symphony Nova Scotia

Mendelssohn’s Scottish & ...

Symphony Nova Scotia

The Beatles: Long & Windi...

Symphony Nova Scotia

FREE Family Series: Newco...

Symphony Nova Scotia

Mahler’s Titan Symphony

Symphony Nova Scotia

Disney Pride in Concert

Symphony Nova Scotia

Jeremy Dutcher & the Nati...

Symphony Nova Scotia

Heather Rankin

Symphony Nova Scotia

Dvořák’s Cello Concerto

Symphony Nova Scotia

NSYO: A Joyous Trilogy

Symphony Nova Scotia

Neon Dreams

Symphony Nova Scotia