Scott Macmillan

Bio:

Born in Halifax, Scott Macmillan enjoys a stellar reputation in Nova Scotia and abroad for his unusual versatility working in the fields of classical, pop, jazz, blues and celtic music. He is equally at home on the podium, in the studio or behind a guitar, Scott is in great demand as a conductor, performer, composer/arranger and producer Working professionally for more than 25 years he has played an integral role in widening the audience for the music of Atlantic Canada both nationally and internationally. Acknowledged by Rita MacNeil at the 2005 ECMA Awards as an integral contributor to her success, Scott has played an equally pivotal role in the rise of the Rankin Family Band and the Nova Scotia Mass Choir. For his contributions Scott received a Doctor of Letters from Cape Breton University in 1997.

His latest creative venture, a 12-piece jazz ensemble, Scott 'n the Rocks, a creative collective providing opportunities for musical expression and exploration through composition and improvisational performances.

Throughout his career, Scott's creative passion has led to many exciting commissions, performances and opportunities to compose new works. In 2006 with Scott as Musical Director, his co-creation with Writer and Artistic Director Paul Gallant will see yearly productions of Le Grand Cercle which will be a cornerstone of a major community/cultural/tourism initiative in Cheticamp. The cast recording has been nomintated for an East Coast Music Award.

Macmillan’s choral classical Celtic cross-over work composition Celtic Mass for the Sea, which he collaborated with his wife, Jennyfer Brickenden, is much loved and much performed including Carnegie Hall, the UK and Germany. His award winning composition, MacKinnon’s Brook Suite for bagpipe and orchestra was premiered with Symphony Nova Scotia and later broadcast for National CBC TV.

An exceptional guitarist, Scott is a multiple ECMA (East Coast Music Award) winner, for his recordings with the innovative group Puirt a Baroque, Bach Meets Cape Breton and also for his own collaborative recordings The Minnie Sessions Volumes 1, 2, & 3 and the MacKinnon's Brook Suite, which he composed for Ian MacKinnon and Symphony Nova Scotia (SNS).

Macmillan has played a pivotal role in highly successful Maritime Pops Series with ..Symphony Nova Scotia’s (SNS). He was the inaugural Host Conductor and Arranger for this series. Since the mid 1980’s he has built bridges, creating relationships between the classical world of SNS and the diversity of Nova Scotia's musical and cultural communities. This most popular Maritime Pops Series has resulted in numerous sold-out performances every season. A master guitar player, Scott delights audiences by joining his guest artists on guitar from the podium.

Scott's unique innovative and creative talent to explore music's vast mosaic makes him an exhilarating and energetic musical force whose performances are always fresh.

Member Since:

December 22, 2006

Members:

The hit musical 'Le Grand Cercle' has been nominated for the 2008 East Coast Music Award CBC Galaxie Francophone Recording of the Year !! Described as the "runaway hit of the 2004 Congres Mondial Acadian" Conseil de arts du Chéticamp presents 'Le Grand Cercle' yearly. The story and songs were created by Paul Gallant in collaboration with N.S. Composer/Arranger/guitarist Scott Macmillan who Music Directs the show featuring a cast of over 100 and l'orchestra Grand Cercle of 15 from Cape Breton and around Nova Scotia. 'Le Grand Cercle' was recorded Live; July 29, 2006 Recorded Engineer; Hayward Parrot of St. Cecilia Studios Assistant Engineer; Miles Gallagher Make your plans to see 'Le Grand Cercle' July 22-26, 2009

Influences:

On April 16, 1945 the HMCS Esquimalt was the last Canadian warship sunk in World War 2. The ship was under the command of my father, Lieutenant Commander Robert Cunningham Macmillan. A warm calm spring morning it was torpedoed by German U-boat, U190, 20km from the mouth of Halifax Harbour at 5:45am that fateful day. The survivors, including my father, endured 6 hours in the frigid North Atlantic waters before rescue arrived; only 27 of the crew of 71 lived. Through the generosity of DND a journey was made on April 25, 2007 to the sight of the sinking 62 years ago. We were accompanied by survivor, Buck Taylor and a memorial was held at the location where the Esquimalt was torpedoed. Presented by Musique Royale in Co-operation with St. Cecilia Society my new composition entitled ‘Within sight of Shore’, had its World Premier Saturday April 26, 2007 at 7:30 at St. John's Church in Lunenburg, NS and repeated Sunday, April 27, 2007 at 7;30pm at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Halifax, NS and featured myself Scott Macmillan, Guitar/ Banjo, Tempest, under the direction of David Greenberg and Members of the Stadacona Band of the Maritime Forces Atlantic. My son Ian is film a doc on this story. Check out his trailer at http://www.ianmacmillan.ca/filmmaker.html .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

in August 2007 I was taken on a trip of a lifetime; I was sailed to Sable Island. This mysterious graveyard of the Atlantic sits 180 nautical miles off Nova Scotia. I have photos of my trip, check them out, This journey was R&D for a new composition I will be creating with the support of the Canada Council of the Arts, titled ‘The Currents of Sable Island’ and premiering in the summer of 2008. My wife and I along with 3 others including the executive director of the Sable Island Preservation Trust were sailed by Tom Gallant in his beautiful schooner, Avenger.

Sounds Like:

Record Label:

Scojen Music Productions Ltd.