Over the years, we have grown to become one of Atlantic Canada's largest presenters of chamber music. Everything about the organization — our history, our people, how to support us, and how to reach us — is on this page.
Scotia Festival of Music was founded in 1980 by Christopher Wilcox with Robert Marcellus as Artistic Director. Over the years, we have grown to become one of Atlantic Canada's largest presenters of chamber music.
The four people who run the festival.
Managing and Artistic Director
Australian-born pianist who has appeared as a soloist for Toronto's Soundstreams, the Winnipeg New Music Festival, Symphony Nova Scotia, and New York’s MATA Festival. Holds a doctorate in piano performance from SUNY Stony Brook.
General Manager
First worked for the festival in 1988, fell in love with arts administration, and has been full time since graduating from Dalhousie in 1990. Plans the festival, oversees the Music Room's chamber series, and runs the car raffles.
Technical Director
Award-winning filmmaker, musician and classically-trained pianist. Handles administration, logistics and behind-the-scenes tech, including the Music Room's livestreaming. His short film Duet was broadcast nationally on CBC.
Director of Communications and Development
Combines her love of music with her expertise in communication — social media, publicity, public relations, the box office, and the festival's fundraising. A graduate of Dalhousie (B.Mus '15) and l'Université de Montréal (M.Mus '18).
Founder · Managing and Artistic Director, 1980–2020
Chris Wilcox was the magic behind the Scotia Festival of Music and the Music Room for more than 40 years. His passion for the music and the people involved is legend in Halifax and beyond. He started the Scotia Festival of Music in 1980 with Robert Marcellus as Artistic Director, and was a natural leader for chamber music in Halifax.
President
Glen Dexter
Vice President
Edmond Chiasson
Treasurer
Marian Binkley
Secretary
Deborah Carver
Members-at-large
Brittany Cann · Darrel Pink · John Wanczycki
You can play your part.
Scotia Festival of Music is a registered non-profit organization, and relies on the generosity of our patrons and supporters to help us continue our mission to provide chamber music at its best to our local communities, and educational opportunities to aspiring musicians.
Through grants, donations, and our lottery draws and auctions, we're able to finance the initiatives that have made us an integral part of the fabric of the Nova Scotia arts community for over 40 years.
Making a donation
By donating today, you can help directly support our programming and operations. You will receive an official tax receipt for your donation.
Or phone us at 902-429-9467 with a credit card.
CRA Registered Charity Number: 11914 3071 RR0001
You could win an original Maud Lewis painting, or $25,000 cash!
Our Scotia Festival souvenir program is read by over 2,000 patrons each year, with high visibility placement possibilities on every page.
Young artists come to Halifax from all over the world for our Young Artist Program and need a place to stay for their two weeks. Plus, you receive free concert tickets!
The Scotia Festival of Music Foundation is an endowment fund providing reliable revenue for the organization. Your gift or bequest, of any size, will have a long-lasting impact.
For information or inquiries about any part of our organization including Scotia Festival, The Music Room or the Chamber Players Series.
Send us a message and we'll respond as soon as possible.
The festival can't happen without audiences like you. Your support brings world-class classical music to Halifax and trains the next generation of artists.