Performing Groups
Yamaha Artist
Mike Herriott
Canadian trumpeter, Mike Herriott, began playing the trumpet at six years of age and won numerous regional and national awards throughout his formative years as a musician. By age eleven, he was performing for large audiences and recording for CBC radio and television.
Now a respected multi-instrumentalist in both the classical and jazz genres, Mike is much in demand as a lead trumpeter, jazz improviser, orchestral soloist, bassist, arranger and composer. He has appeared as a soloist with the Victoria Symphony, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra, JZ Big Band (Shanghai), Prime Time Big Band, the Calgary Stampede Orchestra and many other orchestras and big bands across Canada and abroad.
Mike has shared the stage with some of the world’s finest artists including Maynard Ferguson, Slide Hampton, Phil Nimmons, Maria Schneider, Bob Newhart, Jay Leno, Michael Buble, The Temptations, Johnny Mathis, The Moody Blues, Tommy Banks, Hugh Fraser, Chucho Valdes, Kenny Wheeler, Rob McConnell, Ian McDougall, and the late Sir Yehudi Menuhin. Another career highlight was serving as featured soloist in concert with Allen Vizzutti, Jens Lindemann, Andea Tofanelli, and Doc Severinsen during the 2008 International Trumpet Guild Conference.
He has played on film soundtracks, jingles, and TV themes and is proud to be heard as lead trumpet during the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1994 Commonwealth Games and the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics (2010 EMMY AWARD, Best Music Direction, Dave Pierce).
Mike has recorded on numerous CD and radio sessions with artists including the Canadian Brass, Paul Brandt, Hugh Fraser, Joe Coughlin, Rob McConnell, Guido Basso, and has recorded for CBC, Universal, EMI, Sony, and Disney. He has three releases as leader and is excited about the 2010 release of the Harkness/Herriott duo CD, Flights Vol 1, on Opening Day Records, and the 2010 release of the Canadian Brass and David Braid collaboration, Spirit Dances also on Opening Day Records (Nominated Best Instrumental Album of the Year, JUNO AWARDS). 2011 will bring about three new CD releases; a solo release and two new releases from H2, all under the Opening Day label.
Groups
SCB (Sackville Community Band)
SCB is a mix of professional and amateur musicians brought together by a love of making music. They perform a challenging assortment of music from the symphonic wind repertoire along with movie scores, jazz and original compositions/arrangements by band members. "SCB... bringing talented musicians together to perform quality music... fostering music education in the community."
www.sackvillecommunityband.com
Gypsophilia
Winner of the ECMA 2010 Jazz Recording of the Year for their album Sa-ba-da-OW and nominated for a 2010 NS Music Award for Video of the Year for their music video Hietzing / Battery Life (written and directed by Scott Simpson), Gypsophilia will present a performance you won’t want to miss. "There is a definite edge to their music. [They] blur the lines between Django Reinhardt-inspired jazz on the one hand and indie music on the other - it's quite incredible... if you ever see their name you must go and see them - it's a visual delight as well." Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2
Acadia University Percussion Ensemble
Under the direction of Mark Adam, one of the foremost percussionists in Canada today, this ensemble will have you jumping out of your seat. You'll be amazed at the array and blend of sounds and rhythm. Recent concerts have featured works by Anthony Genge, Omar Daniel, Laszlo Sary and Daniel Heikalo.
Camerata XARA Young Women's Choir
Camerata Xara Young Women's Choir was formed by conductor Christina Murray in February 2008 as a second choir and youth initiative of the Halifax Camerata Singers. Designed to provide a professional environment for 24 emerging singers and to push artistic boundaries, Xara's focus is primarily on new music. Part of the mandate of Camerata Xara is to draw new and younger audiences to choral concerts.
The group is breaking new ground in the choral performance practices of their region and is fast gaining national attention. The ensemble brings audiences innovative, exciting performances that draw on a strong narrative, movement, and lighting in addition to challenging choral repertoire. Since their first concert in 2008, Xara has performed to sold-out halls and has received heart-warming critical acclaim.
