• Annapolis Big Band

    Congratulations to the Annapolis Big Band for another great night in Paradise! Playing under the moon and stars on August 9th for approximately 1,200 people!

    Hear and see some of the playing at The Garden Shutterbug on You Tube. See a PDF copy of the program.

  • Annapolis Community Bandfest 2008

    A great weekend of fun and music making thanks to the great work done by the Annapolis Basin Community Band!

    See photos from the Annapolis Community Bandfest 2008. You can see videos of concert selections at The Garden Shutterbug on You Tube.

  • Ron Remembered

    Ron Remembered Concert Band

    As David Pos said in an open letter to organizer Paul Barrett through the NS Music Educators' mail list: "The musicians played with such respect, and honoured Ron with great performances of his many compositions and arrangements."

    Please see the Ron Remembered page for photographs and a link to a PDF copy of the program.

    Thanks to Jeff Babineau for the use of his photographs from Ron Remembered.

  • NSBA Student Recognition Award Luncheon

    NSBA Luncheon photo The annual Award Luncheon took place on Friday, June 13th at the Holiday Inn Select in Halifax.

    Awards were presented by President Mark Hopkins and Band Directors in attendance. Guest speaker Ardith Haley had the room moving and thinking.

    For more information...


  • Ron McKay 'Music for Life' Award Presented to Scotia Brass

    NSBA President Mark Hopkins presented the first annual Ron MacKay 'Music for Life' Award at the Halifax Concert Band spring concert on Tuesday, June 3. The Award was presented to the Scotia Brass, an ensemble formerly led by Ron MacKay.

    The presentation took place in Halifax at St. Agnes Church's Monsignor Leo Day Auditorium. Jim Forde, a member of Scotia Brass and a long-time colleague and friend of Ron MacKay, who was sitting in on tuba with the Halifax Concert Band, accepted the award. Scotia Brass, under the leadership of Nathan Beeler, will use the funds to assist in an upcoming recording project.

    The Scotia Brass recording will include many of Ron's favourite selections and his own compositions and arrangements for brass ensemble. Proceeds from the sales of discs, after costs, will be directed back into the Ron MacKay 'Music for Life' Award fund. This project has a circular vision and the NSBA looks forward to the launch and distribution of this disc during the 2008-2009 concert season.

    A memorial page to our friend Ron MacKay.

    Information on donations in memory of Ron and the Ron MacKay 'Music for Life' Award.

Our Mission

NSBA's mission is to support and promote the development of bands throughout the province of Nova Scotia through communication, coordination, program development, advocacy and lobbying at the provincial level.

Coming Events

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Our Colleagues



Instrument Care Pamphlet


Here is a PDF copy of the CBA Instrument Care Pamphlet.