NAC orchestra Canada 150 tour

Atlantic Provinces

From April 25 to May 7, the National Arts Centre Orchestra began its Canada 150 Tour in the Atlantic provinces, beginning in St. John’s, then travelling to Moncton, Charlottetown, Eskasoni, Saint John and Halifax. The tour celebrates the 150th anniversary of Confederation through music, by engaging with audiences, young audiences and young artists. 

This is the first tour led by the NAC Orchestra’s highly acclaimed Music Director, Alexander Shelley, and will feature the internationally renowned Canadian violinist James Ehnes, a  GRAMMY® Award and 10-time JUNO Award winner.

Featured artists

In your classroom and in your community

The tour includes 80 education and community engagement activities in all four Atlantic provinces that will unite the musicians of the Orchestra with students, educators, community leaders and artists.

Learn more about our Atlantic Provinces education activities

Bringing home I Lost My Talk

This free performance for local students and members of the Eskasoni community on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, was a highlight of the NAC Orchestra Canada 150 Tour.

Featured events

St. John's, Newfoundland

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Charlottetown, P.E.I.

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Eskasoni, Nova Scotia

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Saint John, New Brunswick

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Halifax, Nova Scotia

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Education & outreach

Celebrating the artists, educators and youth who will shape our future. 

The NAC Orchestra’s Music Director, Alexander Shelley will work with community bands, youth orchestras, students and young artists. Cross-cultural engagement activities will focus on giving students the opportunity for understanding and exchange with a focus on creative expression through the arts. 

Inspiring collaborations

  • Nsyo-from-fb © Fred Cattroll St. John's, NF
    St. John's, NF

    Newfoundland Symphony Youth Orchestra

    Newfoundland Symphony Youth Orchestra

    After rehearsing with Alexander Shelley and 14 members of the NAC Orchestra, these incredible young musicians will perform a concert with James Ehnes, Sean Rice and Duane Andrews. The concert will feature the world premiere of a new composition by Duane Andrews and will be livestreamed by Memorial University.

  • Card-sistema mg 9845cc Moncton, NB
    Moncton, NB

    Sistema New Brunswick

    Sistema New Brunswick

    The NAC Orchestra will be in residence for two days with 240 students from across New Brunswick. Alexander Shelley, James Ehnes and members of the NAC Orchestra will coach three Sistema ensembles, with a final concert featuring NAC Orchestra musicians playing alongside these young emerging artists.

Music Alive Program in Atlantic Canada

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    Music Alive Program

    The NAC is launching the Music Alive Program in all four Atlantic provinces. Music Alive sends local teaching musicians to work with children in rural and remote communities, and its programming promotes musical and cultural diversity.

  • Map-youth-summit-2 Saint John, NB

    Young Artist Summit

    Moe Clark and Natalie Sappier will lead the Music Alive Program's four-day Young Artist Summit for Indigenous Performers in Saint John, NB. In partnership with the East Coast Music Association and the Canada Council for the Arts.

  • Card-map-songwritingmaje Halifax, NS

    Creative songwriting workshops

    Local hip-hop artists MAJE and Shevy Price will lead six weeks of creative songwriting and music production workshops with young people from Halifax’s African Nova Scotian community. Showcase event on May 5.

Reconciliation through the arts

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    Celebrating Indigenous artists

    Celebrating Indigenous artists

    The tour will feature events focused on reconciliation through the arts, including an Indigenous youth summit and cross-Canada performances of I Lost My Talk, based on the poem by Mi’kmaq elder Rita Joe, C.M.

  • Card-reconciliation-through-the-arts-hoop St. John's, NF
    St. John's, NF

    Reconciliation through the Arts

    Reconciliation through the Arts

    Discussion, performances, and interactive activities with hoop dancer Ally Collins of Wonderbolt Circus, drummer CJ Cleal of Lonecry Singers, members of the musical group Eastern Owl, and members of the Shallaway Youth Choir.

Engaging musical education

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    Inspire Day: Celebrating Newfoundland Teachers

    Music specialists from across the province, along with teachers from Project Grace Sistema program, and student teachers from Memorial, will have the chance to attend workshops given by Alexander Shelley and NACO musicians.

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    Masterclasses & workshops

    Violinist James Ehnes, our concertmaster Yosuke Kawasaki, composer John Estacio as well as other musicians from our orchestra will offer masterclasses to exceptional young artists.

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    Musical encounters

    The tour will include student matinees, masterclasses, workshops, coaching sessions and school performances. Acadian region: NAC Orchestra musicians will perform in-school concerts for francophone elementary students.