Symphony Nova Scotia appoints new resident conductor
Nineteen candidates from across the country and around the world applied for this position, and three finalists were invited to the day-long audition with the orchestra last week. "I was very impressed with the quality of the candidates," says Symphony Nova Scotia Music Director Bernhard Gueller. "We heard from young Canadian conductors working overseas, as well as some international candidates now working in Canada. It is my great pleasure to welcome home this young man of such obvious talent. Martin clearly has great potential, and his joy in working with the orchestra was infectious." Martin is currently the Associate Conductor for the National Academy Orchestra of Canada, based in Hamilton, Ontario. In addition to his busy conducting schedule with the NAO, Martin has conducted orchestras across the country and in the US, including professional orchestras, youth orchestras, and community orchestras. In June, Martin travels to Barcelona, Spain, to compete in the IX Cadaqués Orchestra International Conducting Competition. Born on Cape Breton Island to a musical family, Martin is the youngest of 12 children. His training began at the age of six with cello, violin, and piano. He has been a cellist with several orchestras, including the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra, and he is an alumnus of the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra. Martin also comes from a strong Celtic music tradition and has performed with his family at hundreds of concerts and festivals around Europe and North America. Martin holds a Master's degree in Orchestral Conducting from McGill University and a Bachelor's degree in cello from Memorial University. He has studied conducting with Alexis Hauser, Boris Brott, Gustav Meier, and Michael Jinbo at the Pierre Monteux School. "I am thrilled at the opportunity to work with Symphony Nova Scotia. Nothing could make me prouder than to return to my home province to conduct," says Martin. "I look forward to working with this wonderful and vibrant orchestra I grew up admiring and making beautiful music together throughout Nova Scotia."
About Symphony Nova Scotia Expect the Unexpected with Symphony Nova Scotia - from Baroque to Brahms to Buck 65! Each year the 37-member ensemble performs for more than 40,000 audience members (including 10,000 young music lovers) in communities across Nova Scotia. Under the inspirational leadership of Bernhard Gueller, Symphony Nova Scotia is recognized as one of the finest chamber orchestras in the country. Join the orchestra in celebrating its 25th anniversary next season! ### For more information, please contact:
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Halifax, NS — Symphony Nova Scotia is pleased to announce the appointment of Martin MacDonald as its new Resident Conductor. The Cape Breton native won the residency last Wednesday, and will officially begin August 1. He will take over the position from former Resident Conductor Dinuk Wijeratne, whose three-year contract has ended.