Scott Macmillan’s (1955-) passion for creating music propels him forward driven by his need to create. Macmillan seeks opportunities in all aspects of music making inspiring exploration into genres from rock to blues, classical to choral, Celtic to jazz, as well as modern and avant-garde. In March of 2019 Scott premiered his concerto for Electric Guitar, ‘12 & Change’, with Symphony Nova Scotia. In October 2019 he premiered his new composition ‘Woodland Revival, reflecting on his concern of the stress on NS forests.
His music has taken Macmillan to many places, to perform his much loved ode to our world’s oceans “Celtic Mass for the Sea”, with his partner and librettist Jennyfer Brickenden. He has performed at Carnegie Hall, the British Isles, Germany, the US and criss-crossed Canada many times to conduct orchestras, perform, for television, radio and sound tracks for films.
2014 recipient of Nova Scotia’s top Artist Prize, the Portia White Prize, Macmillan is a musical treasure, playing a significant role expanding audiences for Atlantic Canadian music both nationally and internationally for over 40 years. Acknowledged by the late Rita MacNeil as an integral contributor to her success, Scott played an equally pivotal role in the rise of the Rankin Family Band, Symphony Nova Scotia’s Maritime Pops programming in the 1990’s and the Nova Scotia Mass Choir.
It’s connections with people that feed Macmillan inspiring his performances and creative talent. “It’s the thrill of creating something for people that no one else has done, but when they hear it, they feel like they have heard it before,” enthuses Macmillan. That ethic inspires audiences and musicians to love Scott’s works such as ‘Gift of Time’, ‘Suite Silver Dart’, ‘MacKinnon’s Brook Suite’, ‘Within Sight of Shore ‘Aiseag-the ferryboat’. In 2015 he collaborated with Alan Syliboy, in a Tribute to the Mi’kmaw poet Rita Joe. An animated performer, Scott lets loose composing for and performing with ‘Scott ‘n the Rocks’, and in his musically challenging Guitar Duo with Brian.
Awards, appointments, commissions and critical reviews all reflect Macmillan’s success establishing his contribution to the music of Nova Scotia and the world. He has a great personal legacy of written music, recorded music, and music presented from the grandeur of concert halls to the intimacy living rooms. Scott Macmillan’s musical legacy is lasting and timeless.
Inspired by his desire to learn and expand his own musical knowledge and how as the best students make the best teachers, Scott began mentoring a new generation of guitarists in 2008 at the Fountain School of Performing Arts, Dalhousie University.
For more info go to: https://www.scott-macmillan.ca
“Keeping station on Macmillan would tax a long distance runner. He always has something going on, juggling his triple threat career of performing, composing and conducting.”