‘What a treat’: Symphony Nova Scotia orchestra entertains shoppers at Dartmouth mall

Shoppers at MicMac Mall were treated to a free, accessible Symphony Nova Scotia concert.

Symphony Nova Scotia is kicking off its latest season by entertaining music lovers at local libraries and even a shopping mall.

The 18th annual Symphony Week opened with a string ensemble at the Bedford Public Library on Sunday.

The full orchestra then performed live in front of an audience at Mic Mac Mall on Tuesday night, featuring songs from Mozart and even “Star Trek.”

Eric Mathis, the symphony’s director of artistic administration, says it was the first time the orchestra played at the Dartmouth mall.

“And we like taking this opportunity to get to different venues that people might not expect to hear the orchestra,” he said.

Mathis added this week’s events also serve as a thank you to the community.

“We’ve got ensembles playing in libraries around the community, ‘Peter and the Wolf’ is one of the big ones that’s being featured. We’re just playing a variety of concerts all season long and this was some pre-concerts that we like to open the season with,” he said.

While Symphony Nova Scotia members currently live in the Halifax area, they are from all over the country.

“They audition to win positions in the orchestra, and this is their full-time job, so they make a living here and they play in the orchestra, and they teach, and they provide all kinds of services, and they’ve got a lot of their own musical groups as well,” said Mathis.

Dozens of people stopped their shopping to listen to the musicians and some even pulled up a chair.

“We enjoyed the music very much and appreciate their fantastic talent and how the music, when it’s alive like this, it’s like more than stereophonic, and it’s a great venue to listen to,” said one audience member.

“What a treat this was to come this evening and listen to our favourite orchestra,” said another.

Mathis said the symphony prides itself on playing a variety of different styles that hopefully appeal to everyone.

“Our Spotlight series is our main classical symphonic series. We’ve got some really exciting guest conductors coming this year and we’ve got music of Mahler and Dvořák and Mendelssohn and Beethoven,” he said.

A full list of Symphony Week events can be found online.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Jim Kvammen.

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