Alkali Collective launches its sixth concert season with FORM: a program of vivid texture, detail, and transformation. Featuring guest percussionist Nathan Petitpas and a world premiere by Paolo Griffin, plus works by Nova Pon and Gabriella Smith.

Tickets: $25/adults, $20/students, $15/ages 12 and under.
Live-Stream Tickets: $15/household.

Tickets available online and at the door.

“Why hurry over beautiful things? Why not linger and enjoy them?” So pondered Clara Schumann, remembered as one of the finest pianists of all time.

In “Wonder Women!”, pianist and humorist Sarah Hagen delves into the remarkable stories and piano music of female composers from the classical repertoire. This recital will highlight piano works by 18th and 19th century composers, including Clara Schumann, Cécile Chaminade, Agathe Backer Grøndahl, and others. Included will be stunningly gorgeous music by Marianna Martines, who lived in the same circles as Haydn and Mozart, and often joined Mozart in piano duets at the musical soirées she and her sister held in their Viennese home.

Presented by Scotia Festival of Music, The Music Room Chamber Players Series brings 21 delightfully varied chamber and classical music concerts to Halifax from September to May, showcasing a wide range of local and visiting performers.

Each year, to coincide with the Department of Psychiatry Research Day, the department hosts a public discussion on an important topic for researchers and the local community.

Psychedelics in Psychiatry: Innovation, Risks, and Realities

Join our guest speaker and a panel of local experts for an informative discussion and bring your questions!

With guest speaker: 
Dr. Joshua Rosenblat
Psychiatrist and Researcher, University of Toronto

Panelists:

• Dr. George Robertson, Professor of Psychiatry & Pharmacology, Dalhousie University (moderator)

• Dr. Joshua Rosenblat, Psychiatrist and Researcher, University of Toronto

• Dr. Abraham Nunes, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry & Computer Science, Dalhousie University; Psychiatrist, Nova Scotia Health Central Zone

• Dr. Ahmed Saleh, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University; Head of Psychiatry, Nova Scotia Health Western Zone

FREE and open to the public. No registration required.

Space is limited and is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Halifax is so fortunate to have the Conservatory! Once again, we are thrilled to bring you a delightfully varied program featuring some of the remarkable musicians on the MCPA’s Music Faculty.

ON THE PROGRAM

Robert Schumann: Violin Sonata in A minor, Op. 105

Frédéric Chopin: Prelude in D minor, Op. 28 No. 24

Francis Poulenc: Sonata for Trumpet, Horn and Trombone

Vivian Fung: Bird Song, for Violin and Piano

Paul Hindemith: Sonata for Trumpet and Piano

Gillian Smith, violin
Matt Richard, trumpet
Rod MacGillivray, trombone
Mary Lee, horn
Maximilian Fleischman, piano
Cindy Thong, piano

Presented by Scotia Festival of Music, The Music Room Chamber Players Series brings 21 delightfully varied chamber and classical music concerts to Halifax from September to May, showcasing a wide range of local and visiting performers.

Discover the artistry of Symphony Nova Scotia’s new generation of principal woodwind players! They have prepared an evening of passionate music from the Romantic era.

ON THE PROGRAM

Ferenc Farkas: Serenade

Theodor Blumer: Wind Quintet, Op. 52

Ludwig Thuille: Sextet in B-flat Major for Piano and Winds, Op. 6

Casey Granofsky, flute
Danielle Johannes, oboe
Timothy Yung, clarinet
Gabe Azzie, bassoon
Carys Sutherland, horn
with Simon Docking, piano

Presented by Scotia Festival of Music, The Music Room Chamber Players Series brings 21 delightfully varied chamber and classical music concerts to Halifax from September to May, showcasing a wide range of local and visiting performers.

Join Lauren Sullivan for an evening of music on the Music Room's 9-foot Steinway. Featuring the timeless brilliance of George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, this exclusive performance will journey through a range of styles.

The evening opens with the ethereal artistry of harpist Kate Gref Leger, setting the stage for Act I—a journey through classical masterpieces and jazz-infused rhythms. After a brief intermission, Act II brings bold contemporary works and an inspired mix of vocal selections, drawing on the beauty of maritime traditions and the vibrance of pop.

With a Decca recording contract, tours across Europe and North America, and over 65 million views on her online platforms, UK guitarist Alexandra Whittingham is an exciting and innovative musician. Please don’t miss the Halifax debut of this superb artist!

ON THE PROGRAM

Heitor Villa-Lobos: Five Preludes

Edith Piaf: La Vie en Rose and La Foule

Napoléon Coste: Fantaisie Dramatique: “Le Départ”, Op. 31

Ernest Shand: Three Pieces

Traditional: Four Celtic Pieces

Alexandra Whittingham, guitar

Presented by Scotia Festival of Music, The Music Room Chamber Players Series brings 21 delightfully varied chamber and classical music concerts to Halifax from September to May, showcasing a wide range of local and visiting performers.

Join us for an unforgettable evening of rich storytelling with original country and folk music by Alexander Anderson and Brynn Currie, two local musicians, brought together in support of Feed Nova Scotia with half of the proceeds going directly to this local charity.

British-born, and based in Montreal, Rosie Shaw is both a professional violist with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, and a solo violinist in chamber music and recitals. On a bet from a friend, she won her first viola audition, and has since sat in every chair of the MSO viola section. As a lucky member of that wonderful orchestra, she has played on the stages of magnificent concert halls all over the planet, with incredible soloists and conductors. A longing to have more technically intricate and personal pieces to play, especially for the viola, helped to fuel her interest in composing. Once the genie was invited, the pencil wouldn't stop, and now her first album of violin and viola works , "Rosie Unriveted" is in production and up for release in 2026. 

Canadian/ British, award-winning pianist Jennifer King, leads a busy life as a performer, recording artist, educator and host/pianist/curator for the Sensory Accessible Concerts Series (now in Season 4) for Cecilia Concerts. Her latest album from 2022, O Mistress Moon: Canadian Edition (Leaf Music) won an ECMA for Best Classical Album 2023, and is a follow up to her debut album of 2018, O Mistress Moon also nominated with East Coast Music Association and Music Nova Scotia. Her EP of Doolittle: minute etudes (live) was nominated for Classical Composition of the Year for ECMA’s 2021. With a busy musical career spanning three decades, she has established herself as a sought-after performer and recording artist in Canada with features on CBC Radio 2, ici-musique and further afield. Jennifer is preparing to launch her next solo album, Souvenance on 24 April of 2025. 

Her recordings can be found on all streaming platforms and www.jenniferkingpiano.com

$25 or $15 for students (Cash at the door) Donations will be given to Bide Awhile Animal Shelter.

Frédéric Chopin made the Nocturne his own, with 21 masterpieces in the genre. They result from his unique discoveries in piano technique, but would not have been possible without the influence of the bel canto operatic singing he heard during his years in Paris. Here is an unprecedented chance to hear all 21 of Chopin's Nocturnes in two evenings, performed by seven Nova Scotia pianists.

Peter Allen, Philip Chiu, Simon Docking, Heidi Fewster, Jennifer King, Megan Thibeault, and Alex Yang, piano

Frédéric Chopin made the Nocturne his own, with 21 masterpieces in the genre. They result from his unique discoveries in piano technique, but would not have been possible without the influence of the bel canto operatic singing he heard during his years in Paris. Here is an unprecedented chance to hear all 21 of Chopin's Nocturnes in two evenings, performed by seven Nova Scotia pianists.

Peter Allen, Philip Chiu, Simon Docking, Heidi Fewster, Jennifer King, Megan Thibeault, and Alex Yang, piano

Celebrate Rachmaninov’s Birthday with Soul Strings Music!

Step into the world of Sergey Rachmaninov as we honor his life and legacy with an inspiring evening of music.

The program features chamber, piano, and vocal works performed by:
Alsu Kamalieva (Violin)
Anna Shabalina (Cello)
Ria Kim (Piano)

Whether you are a longtime admirer of Rachmaninov or discovering his music for the first time, this concert promises to leave you moved and uplifted. Welcome spring with music that resonates across time. Seating is limited, so book your tickets now!

Meghan Lindsay has performed regularly with Opera Atelier, Pacific Opera Victoria, and Tafelmusik, and appeared in venues such as Amsterdam's Concertgebouw, Toronto's Koerner Hall, and the Royal Opera at the Palace of Versailles. With pianist Carson Becke, she will bring a gorgeous program to the Music Room, including Carson's arrangement of Strauss's beloved Four Last Songs.

On the Program

RICHARD STRAUSS: Four Last Songs (arr. Carson Becke)

FERNANDO OBRADORS: Canciones Clásicas Españolas

CECILIA LIVINGSTON: Penelope

Meghan Lindsay, soprano, Carson Becke, piano

Music for winds and piano with an emphasis on movement and dance! From a charming work by Saint-Saëns, through a mediation on the work of Langston Hughes (with visits to Harlem jazz clubs and Paris cabarets) to the irresistible action of Connesson's ode to techno. Add to this some Messiaen birdsong and a multimedia piece for clarinet and video, and there will be plenty of action.

On the Program

CAMILLE SAINT-SAËNS: Tarantella

OLIVIER MESSIAEN: Le merle noir

VALERIE COLEMAN: Portraits of Langston

MATTHEW KNIGHTS: Abstraction

GUILLAUME CONNESSON: Techno-Parade

Jack Chen, flute; Eileen Walsh, clarinet; Simon Docking, piano

Enjoy an evening of contemporary chamber music featuring the selected composers from Alkali Collective’s 2024/25 Call for Scores – Alexander Bridger, Hope Salmonson & Shanti Sivarulrasa – alongside works by Jennifer Butler, Liberté-Anne Lymberiou and more!

Tickets: $25/adult, $20/student, $15/ages 12 and under.
Live-Stream Tickets: $15/household.

The hallmark of Haydn's last string quartet is the sense of sublime conversation, wit, and timing, with all four "characters" in the drama taking part in the fascinating twists and turns. Twenty years later, Beethoven turned to the string quartet in his last years, creating a kind of spiritual diary that still rates as one of the most profound artistic statements in any form.

On the Program

JOSEF HAYDN: String Quartet in F Major, Op. 77, No. 2

L. VAN BEETHOVEN: String Quartet in A minor, Op. 132

Renaud Lapierre and Leonardo Perez, violins; Elizabeth Upson Perez, viola; Hilary Brown, cello

A long-time friend and supporter of Scotia Festival, Dr. Carl Abbott passed away in February 2024. For many years, Carl and family hosted their close friend and Scotia Festival favourite, cellist Blair Lofgren. Tonight, Blair comes to Halifax to celebrate Carl's life with some of his favourite music.

On the Program

L. VAN BEETHOVEN: Variations on Bei Männern from Mozart's "The Magic Flute"

EDVARD GRIEG: Cello Sonata in A minor

Lieder by Schubert, Schumann

Blair Lofgren, cello; Philip Chiu, piano; Simon Docking, piano

Rarely heard together on their own, the cello and double bass are a perfect match as chamber music partners. In the hands of Symphony Nova Scotia members Aiden Russell and Jemma Jones, you will hear just how these instruments' soulful voices can shine!

On the Program

GIOACHINO ROSSINI: Duetto for Cello and Double Bass

JEAN-BAPTISTE BARRIÈRE: Sonata in G Major

LUIGI BOCCHERINI: Cello Sonata in E Flat, G. 10

DOMENICO DRAGONETTI: Duo in B Flat Major

FRANZ KEYPER: Rondo for Double Bass and Cello in G Major

Come join us at The Music Room for an evening of music that explores resilience, transformation, and the power of human connection. The concert features Robert Uchida, Concertmaster of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, alongside the incomparable cellist Cameron Crozman and JUNO Award-winning pianist Philip Chiu. You will hear works by Rebecca Clarke, Mel Bonis, as well as Irish Folk Tunes from Frank Martin and Dvořák's legendary Dumky Trio, each piece reflecting themes of renewal and the shared experiences that unite us.

This event proudly supports the Elizabeth Fry Society of Mainland Nova Scotia, an organization dedicated to empowering women and gender-diverse individuals who have been disproportionately affected by the justice system. Through advocacy, support services, and community engagement, the Society works to break the cycle of incarceration, offering resources for healing and reintegration. All proceeds from the concert will help further the Society’s mission of justice and equality. This evening not only celebrates transformative music but stands as a powerful reminder of the collective effort needed to create a more just and inclusive society.

A very special thanks to our co-presenting sponsor: Scotia Festival of Music.

Tickets are $50 and be purchased via Eventbrite.