NAO Alumni Update: Martin MacDonald (Conductor '06-'09)

We're often asked by patrons how conductor Martin MacDonald is faring in his new post as Resident Conductor of Symphony Nova Scotia. The answer, judging from this picture (taken Jan. 29, 2010 at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium), is he's having a whole lot of fun in his new role.

L-R Scott Long, bagpipes; Ashley MacIsaac, fiddle;

and the kilted Martin MacDonald, conductor

As resident conductor, Marty has gained a bit of profile in Halifax, where he used to attend cello lessons as a child -- a six hour commute from his native Ironville, Cape Breton Island.  Check out SNS's 2009-10 billboards - right beside the Maestro is Eileen Walsh (NAO Clarinet '07) who won a job with SNS not very long after graduating from the NAO. Don't they both look lovely?

Throughout the SNS season, Marty  gives many pre-concert lectures, has conducted numerous interesting programs, including the one with Ashley MacIssac a couple of weeks ago.