BY NADINE ARMSTRONG

The Hants Journal

NovaNewsNow.com

The phrase “Peace on Earth, goodwill toward men” represented perfectly this year's Four Seasons Orchestra Christmas Extravaganza Dec. 8 at The Fountain Centre, Kings-Edgehill School.

Seasonal pieces such as “Winter Wonderland” and “Christmas at the Movies” mixed well with less-traditional arrangements like the “Duke Ellington Medley”, but all combined gloriously with the venue’s acoustics.

Orchestra member Lindsay Coldwell stepped up to perform a lovely flute solo, “Dance of the Blessed Spirits”. The orchestra, comprised of players from a broad range of ages and backgrounds, were in perfect harmony that evening. Special guests the Annapolis Valley Honour Choir, directed by Bill Perrot, rounded out the second half of the event with classics such as “Ave Maria” and chimed well with the choir for “Do you Hear What I Hear”.

A special Royal Salute arranged by Orchestra Conductor Roger Taylor welcomed the Honorable Mayann Francis, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia. Francis attended that evening to present the Roger Taylor Medal for Musical Accomplishment to this year's recipient, Ronald R. MacKay.

Francis spoke from the heart that evening, recalling her late mother's favourite Christmas tune, “O Holy Night”. Francis said whenever she hears that song her mother feels close at hand once again.

“Music is the soundtrack to our lives,” she said. She spoke also of the importance of music in the community and encouraged the audience and players to continue to promote the arts.

“Let's keep the joy in our heart for the love of music and talent,” she said. “Music is what takes us away from the atrocities in life.”

Gracious acceptance

Although Francis has never mastered an instrument, she carries high praise for those that have. “I’m envious of Roger Taylor and what it says about his accomplishments to have this award named after him.”

MacKay was gracious in accepting the award. As a young man, he was a member of the Windsor Community Band and recalled the difficulties of those days. “Transportation was at a minimum, but I would hitchhike to Windsor every Sunday to be part of it.”

MacKay went on to become bandmaster, conductor, teacher, hornist, composer and an “inspirational mentor to thousands” in Nova Scotia. The Ontario native’s heart has been in Nova Scotia, where he raised his family and taught music at St. Francis Xavier and Dalhousie Universities. MacKay was the principal horn for the Nova Scotia Opera, the Halifax Symphonette and the Halifax and Victoria Symphony Orchestras.

Along with many other accomplishments, he taught and directed bands at the Cobequid Educational Center in Truro through the 1970s and is presently the conductor of the Scotia Brass, the Halifax Concert Band and a performing member of the Sackville Concert Band. As well, he still finds time to be a consultant for Buckly's Music in Halifax.

McKay has over 70 publications to his name, including the Annapolis Royal Suite, which was commissioned for the 400th anniversary of Annapolis/Port Royal and, for her christening and launch in Avondale's Newport Landing, the Avon Spirit March.

The Roger Taylor Medal for Musical Accomplishment is awarded each year to “recognize outstanding contributions made in furthering the knowledge, appreciation, advancement and enjoyment of music in its many facets in Nova Scotia.” MacKay fit the bill perfectly. In Francis's own words to him and the evening’s performers, “Bravo.”