Upcoming Performances
The Stage at St. Andrew's presents a variety of performances throughout the year, includes this year's Rising Tide concert series, the Halifax Gay Men's Chorus, Symphony Nova Scotia, and much more!
We invite you to join us in bringing community to musicians.
10
July
2025
Mysteries of Light
7:30pm
Matthias McIntire, violin and viola
India Gailey, cello
Peter-Anthony Togni, piano and organ
Jeff Reilly, bass clarinet
We've reached the height of summer.
In spite of the attempts of oligarchs and dictators to throw us off, in spite of deeply unsettling global power plays, in spite of strange weather everywhere... summer has actually arrived in Halifax.
This is the time of the longest days of the year, so come help celebrate this glorious time of light as Blackwood and India Gailey, along with their very special guest Matthias McIntire present a suite of brand new pieces dedicated to the return of light.
Morning light, magical starlight, hot dusty afternoon light, candlelight. We’ll be channeling it all and the music will completely envelope you.
$20.00 or PWYC cash or e-transfer at the door
Peter-Anthony Togni and Jeff Reilly in the duo Blackwood have 4 Juno nominations between them and have made 8 albums together. They toured the world with the trio Sanctuary, recorded concertos for bass clarinet and choir on the German label ECM, string orchestra concertos on Warner Classics and award winning full length works for solo bass clarinet and vocal quartet on the Montreal based label ATMA Classique.
Based in Kjipuktuk (Halifax, NS), India is an award-winning and Juno nominated cellist, composer, improviser, and interdisciplinary collaborator. She performs in many artistic realms as a soloist, chamber musician, studio artist, and member of the environmental quartet New Hermitage. In 2022, she released her second solo album to you through (Redshift Records), wrote music for Symphony Nova Scotia, and was named one of “30 hot Canadian classical musicians under 30” by CBC. Her solo album Problematica, was released February 2024 and her Juno nominated album Butterfly Lightning Shakes the Earth, featuring her own work for solo cello and orchestra was released in October of 2024.
Canadian composer, performer, and educator Matthias McIntire has followed a unique path through music-making and his compositions reflect his eclectic background in performance (violin, viola, voice, and electronics), Western classical and new music, as well as jazz, fiddle, free improvisation, field recording, foley art, and electronic music.
22
July
2025
Pride Week Concert!
7:30pm
Join us for "We're Here! We're Queer!": a great evening of choral music with the Halifax Gay Men's Chorus, Quoir, Women Next Door, and Polaris (Choirs for Change). The four choirs are coming together for a special Pride Week concert! Tickets are "pay what you can". Join us at The Stage at St. Andrew's for a night of music and Pride celebration!
As an affirming church, Saint Andrew's United Church is a proud partner for this event.
27
September
2025
CelloFellos: Global Grooves
7:30pm
Canadian cellist Bryan Cheng, our 2025/26 Musician-in-Residence, and German cellist Leonard Disselhorst bring their exciting "Global Grooves" program to Halifax to open our 37th season. This performance blends jazz, tango, folk, and classical genres, showcasing the cello’s remarkable range and this duo’s chemistry. The program includes Béla Bartók’s spirited "Romanian Folk Dances," Bobby McFerrin and Herbie Hancock’s "Turtle Shoes," and a vibrant "Medley sur des thèmes roumains." Astor Piazzolla’s "Histoire du tango," Duke Ellington’s beloved "Single Petal of a Rose" and "Such Sweet Thunder," Tigran Hamasyan and Howard Shore’s "Toichi’s Mountains," and the explosive "Csardas III" by Milena Dolinova and Krystof Maratka sit alongside three evocative original works from Disselhorst. Drawing on their dazzling global legacy—from Bryan’s sold-out Carnegie Hall debut and collaborations with top symphonies like the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin to Leonard’s acclaimed performances with Sir Simon Rattle and honours at the Concours de Genève—their CelloFellos duo brilliantly fuses tradition with innovation in this captivating celebration of worldwide rhythms.
18
October
2025
Quatuor Cobalt: Reflections of Time
7:30pm
Quatuor Cobalt presents a luminous program that bridges musical eras with vibrant originality. This spirited ensemble, lauded for its bold creativity, showcases works by trailblazing women composers in this program, each piece enriched with unique depth and character. Maddalena Laura Lombardini Sirmen’s elegant "Quartet No. 2 in B-flat Major" weaves graceful melodies and classical poise, reflecting her 18th-century virtuosity as a violinist and composer. Alicia Terzian’s evocative "Tres Piezas" conjures a vivid emotional landscape, blending modernist textures with haunting lyricism that captures her Argentine heritage. Pulitzer Prize-winner Caroline Shaw’s contemporary masterpieces, "Plan & Elevation" and "Entr’acte," dazzle with inventive structures. Fanny Hensel Mendelssohn’s radiant "String Quartet in E-flat Major" brims with Romantic expressiveness, its lush harmonies and bold contrasts showcasing her undercelebrated genius. Each piece shines with the distinct voice of its composer, brought to life through the quartet’s meticulous artistry and dynamic synergy. Hailed as a "revelation" by France Musique, Quatuor Cobalt has captivated audiences at venues like London’s Wigmore Hall and the Philharmonie de Paris, earning accolades for their award-winning debut at the Tremplin Competition in Paris. With fresh energy and historical insight, they honour these significant works, illuminating the lasting impact of women's artistry across centuries in a compelling modern context.
1
November
2025
Kevin Zhu: Paganini’s "24 Caprices for Solo Violin"
7:30pm
Violinist Kevin Zhu, an artist of boundless curiosity, presents his daring interpretation of Niccolò Paganini’s exhilarating "24 Caprices for Solo Violin." This electrifying performance unveils the violin’s full spectrum of virtuosity and emotion, each caprice a masterful blend of technical brilliance and expressive depth, meticulously crafted to captivate and astonish. With a keen ear for nuance and a fearless command of his instrument, Kevin Zhu transforms these iconic works into a vivid dialogue between past and present. Winner of the prestigious Paganini International Violin Competition, the violinist's profound connection to this repertoire is undeniable. Known for infusing each performance with imaginative phrasing and dynamic intensity, Zhu invites audience members into an intimate exploration of Paganini’s musical genius. Honed under the guidance of Itzhak Perlman at The Juilliard School, Zhu's artistry shines through in recitals at the Konzerthaus Berlin, London’s Royal Festival Hall, and Beijing’s Forbidden City Concert Hall, fusing spontaneity and soul into a breathtaking celebration of the violin’s limitless possibilities.
15
November
2025
Illia Ovcharenko
7:30pm
Ukrainian pianist Illia Ovcharenko, one of the world’s most celebrated young artists, electrified our Halifax audience with his stunning performance two years ago, and now he returns to share his artistry once again. Winner of the prestigious Honens International Piano Competition, Illia's breathtaking technique and emotional depth transcend the traditional boundaries of classical performance. He has captivated audiences at venues including Carnegie Hall and the Konzerthaus Berlin, and with orchestras like the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. His richly expressive program features five lyrical and rarely heard works by Sergei Bortkiewicz, including the poetic "Etude" and "Lied Ohne Worte" from “4 Klavierstücke,” and the nocturne-like "Diana" from “3 Pieces.” Also included are Frédéric Chopin’s sparkling “3 Waltzes,” his introspective “Nocturne in E minor,” and the dramatic brilliance of his “Scherzo No. 2 in B-flat minor.” Franz Liszt’s virtuosic solo piano transcription of Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 7 in A major” brings orchestral grandeur to the program through the hands of a single artist. With a passion for romantic repertoire and an innate ability to connect with listeners, Illia’s second Halifax performance offers an intimate and transformative musical experience.
6
December
2025
Trio Uchida-Crozman-Chiu
7:30pm
Join us for an evening of profound emotion and stunning artistry as violinist Robert Uchida, cellist Cameron Crozman, and pianist Philip Chiu come together for a program that spans diverse musical landscapes. These three musicians—each a multiple prize winner and a Halifax audience favourite—bring to life Sergei Rachmaninoff’s "Trio élégiaque No. 1 in G minor," a work of haunting beauty and expressive depth, alongside Olivier Messiaen’s transcendent "Louange à l’Éternité de Jésus" and "Louange à l’immortalité de Jésus," both of which offer meditative reflections on eternity and immortality. Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu’s "Between Tides" adds atmospheric textures, evoking the natural world with its evocative sounds. The program also features Maurice Ravel’s "Piano Trio in A Minor," a masterpiece blending French elegance with emotional depth and harmonic innovation. With the virtuosic talents of Uchida, Crozman, and Chiu, this performance promises to be a compelling exploration of both timeless and contemporary works.