Acadia University Wind Ensemble, directed by Dr. Mark Hopkins
Performance videos: https://youtu.be/WklEcnDqryA?t=399
The Acadia University Wind Ensemble has developed a reputation for exciting performances of great wind music, and is recognized as one of the finest wind bands in the Maritime region.
Since its inception in 2006, the AUWE has performed showcase performances at the Nova Scotia Music Educator’s Conference, and undertaken highly acclaimed tours of Cape Breton, mainland Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. The AUWE is providing leadership in the region by commissioning and performing new works.
The Wind Ensemble is the premiere instrumental ensemble at Acadia University, It presents performances of the finest wind repertoire from the last 500 years, prepared to a professional standard.
Acadia University Symphonic Band, directed by Dr. Tristan De Borba
Performance videos: https://youtu.be/WklEcnDqryA?t=399
The Acadia University Symphonic Band is comprised of musicians from the Acadia School of Music, various faculties across campus, and members of our greater community (when COVID protocols permit). The ensemble is directed by Dr. Tristan De Borba and performs band repertoire of all styles and time periods. In addition, students prepare and perform self-directed chamber music in small groups exploring a variety of musical styles. In 2020-2021 the group presented music by Jennifer Jolley, Nicole Piunno, and Peter Meechan. The 2021-2022 season will conclude with an environmentalism-themed final concert co-presented with the Acadia University Wind Ensemble.
More to come soon!
Jazz Ensemble, directed by Nic D’Amato
Jazz Ensemble focuses on the methods and repertoire of American jazz music. As such, it focuses on aural learning, aiming to replicate the practices that make the music what it is, utilizing written material when appropriate. It is a hyper-flexible ensemble, expanding and contracting to allow for (almost) any number of students enrolled. Every student will experience learning and playing by ear, improvising, and gaining control over their instrument within the jazz idiom.
Not recommended for 1st-year students, as it poses a significant added workload to an already full schedule. Individual exceptions can be made for those with a high level of previous experience with the music.
One past highlight for the ensemble was the 2019 performance of ECM recording artist, Michael Formanek's, suite of pieces, The Distance/Exoskeleton. This was a very demanding set of music calling for the incredibly precise ensemble playing of complex written material, alongside small and full-group improvisation, often 'free'. Mr. Formanek was able to join us for some rehearsals and it was an incredible experience for all involved. Please see related videos:
Jazz Ensemble Improvisation with Michael Formanek
Jazz Ensemble Rehearsal of Exoskeleton
Jazz Ensemble Rehearsal with Michael Formanek
Contact: nicholas.damato@acadiau.ca
Acadia University Singers, directed by Dr. Michelle Boyd
Performance videos here
The Acadia University Singers (AUS) is an auditioned chamber choir for musicians who want to work collaboratively and embrace the challenges of singing in a small ensemble. Our members are singers who strive for musical excellence – and also, who love to perform and to share and communicate with their audiences. As a choir, we enjoy performing music of different styles, always with the goal of engaging deeply and connecting with that music.
Acadia University Singers 2025-26
The AUS in concert, December 2023
Acadia students of all disciplines who have previous choir experience are invited to audition for the AUS. Our singers come from different musical backgrounds, but we all share strong musicianship and ensembleship skills, along with an equally strong work ethic and commitment to being part of a collective.
The voicing (SATB, SSAA, or TTBB) of the AUS varies from year to year, depending on audition results. Singers of all voice types who are experienced choral singers and who read music fluently are welcome to audition.
The AUS prepares a full concert program each semester as well as participates in recitals at the School of Music. We have also been featured performers at the Acadia Performing Arts Series annual Tom Regan Memorial Concert.
We often explore thematic programming, and our concerts sometimes feature narrative elements alongside music. We strive to learn a diverse range of range of repertoire, but do give priority to newer music by Canadian composers, music by female-identifying composers, and music by composers from underrepresented backgrounds.
The AUS first came together as a project choir in 2018 to participate in Dr. Michelle Boyd’s research project on Canadian choral settings of the poem, “In Flanders Fields”. Some of our first performances are featured on the digital lecture she made for the Society of American Music’s Digital Lectures Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZujHheZkag.
When the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown put a pause on that project, the AUS pivoted to a new research project on virtual choir methodology called “Isolated Bodies, United Voices: Virtual Choir in the Age of Covid-19”: https://youtu.be/kRkt0L0fVeQ.
With the return to live performance the AUS continued to sing together and the choir became a School of Music curricular ensemble in the fall of 2023.
A major highlight for the AUS occurred in the spring of 2024 when choir members participated in the Singing IN Flanders Fields project. The AUS embarked on an incredible 10-day tour to the UK, France, and Belgium, where we performed concerts, visited the gravesites of Acadia’s WWI soldiers, sang at Vimy Ridge, participated in the Menin Gate Last Post Ceremony, and – literally – sang in Flanders Fields, where John McCrae himself wrote his now-famous poem over a century ago.
The AUS at Vimy Ridge (April 29, 2024) Concert in Arras, France (April 29, 2024) Menin Gate Last Post Ceremony (May 1, 2024)
Singing at Vimy Ridge (April 29, 2024) Visiting Beaumont-Hamel National Historic Site (April 28, 2024) Concert in Ypres, Belgium (May 2, 2024)
Other AUS highlights include:
· Recording “Singkap Siaga” (2021) and participating in a workshop with the composer, Dr. Tracy Wong in the fall of 2022.
· Performing “Yôtin” (2020) and participating in a virtual workshop with the composer, Sherryl Sewepagaham in the winter of 2023.
· Performing Pergolesi’s “Stabat Mater” (1736) and Marie-Claire Saindon’s “Méditations de la Vierge Marie” (2016) with the Blue Engine String Quartet in the winter of 2024.
· Performing Sarah Quartel’s “Snow Angel” (2002) and Katerina Gimon’s “The Frost Myth” with cellist Connor Cornick (Acadia alum) in the fall of 2024.
· Performing “Snewíyalh tl’a Stakw – Teachings of the Water” (2022) with special guest poet shalan joudry and participating in a workshop with the composer, Dr. T. Patrick Carrabré in the winter of 2025.
· Performing Benjamin Britten’s “A Ceremony of Carols” (1942) with harpist Dr. Deanne van Rooyen in the fall of 2025.
The Acadia University Singers first performance at the Tom Regan Memorial Concert (photo credit: Evan Tanner), January 2020
AUS Videos
The Singing IN Flanders Fields Project
“Moonset” (Don MacDonald; poetry by Pauline E. Johnson) – winter 2023
“Singkap Siaga” (Tracy Wong) – fall 2022
“Song for a Winter’s Night” (Gordon Lightfoot; arr. Robin Salkeld) – virtual choir recording, fall 2020
Acadia University String Ensemble, directed by Dr. Tristan De Borba
Performance video: https://youtu.be/hoyYMtXqyr4
The Acadia University Symphonic Band is comprised of musicians from the Acadia School of Music, various faculties across campus, and members of our greater community (when COVID protocols permit). The ensemble performs string orchestra repertoire of all styles and time periods directed by Dr. Tristan De Borba. In addition, students prepare and perform self-directed chamber music in small groups exploring a variety of musical styles. In the 2020-2021, our repertoire ranged from Janácek’s Suite for String to various Celtic tunes by Fred Morrison. A highlight of this upcoming 2021-2022 season is a performance of Steve Danyew Elegy for the End of Nature- a new composition addressing the effect of climate change and calling for renewed environmental stewardship.
