Live in Concert

In April 2011, The Barra MacNeils joined Symphony Nova Scotia for two foot-stomping nights of live East Coast music at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium in Halifax. Originally from Cape Breton’s Sydney Mines, the six MacNeil siblings are widely regarded as one of the greatest live concert acts in the Celtic world. Their 25-year career has resulted in more than a dozen recordings, as well as numerous tours across Canada, the US, the UK, and Europe. Conducted by Symphony Nova Scotia’s Resident Conductor (and fellow Cape Bretoner) Martin MacDonald, both concerts featured highlights from the Barras’ 25-year career. Tunes run the gamut from new songs to traditional reels and jigs – all featuring the Barras’ signature step-dancing, vocal harmonies, and multi-instrumental chops. This will be the Barras’ fifteenth recording, and Symphony Nova Scotia’s first commercially released album since 2006. About the Barra MacNeils Widely regarded as one of the greatest live concert acts in the Celtic world, the family group is deeply rooted in Celtic music, culture, dance, language and history. Their numerous critically acclaimed recordings have included their own original songs as well as tried and true standards, both instrumental and vocal.The Barra MacNeils live concert experience brings so much more to the stage than most live acts ever can. Multiple lead vocalists, beautiful sibling harmonies, and top drawer instrumental prowess on a wide variety of acoustic, stringed, percussion and wind instruments blended with dancing, storytelling, Gaelic songs and a journey through an ancient culture; it is family entertainment at its highest level. About Symphony Nova Scotia -- Symphony Nova Scotia is Nova Scotia’s orchestra. Each year more than 50,000 audience members (including 16,000 young music lovers) join us in communities across Nova Scotia for performances of the music they love. Under the inspirational leadership of Music Director Bernhard Gueller, Symphony Nova Scotia is recognized as one of the finest orchestras in the country.