Celtic Mass for the Sea
Celtic Colours International Festival

Breton Chamber Choir • Scott Macmillan • Ingrid Henderson • Allan Henderson • Shawn MacDonald • Allie Bennett • Geoff Lee-Dadswell • Ed Woodsworth • Brian Doyle • Jude Pelley • Shamus Y. MacDonald • Barbara Sylliboy

Since its premiere over 30 years ago, Celtic Mass for the Sea has become a contemporary choral classic composed by Scott Macmillan with libretto by Jennyfer Brickenden. This unique celebration of the sea’s majesty, ferocity, and vitality—with words and music based on Celtic themes—is a powerfully-imagined work for chorus, strings, and Celtic instrumental quintet. It has been performed roughly 90 times across Canada and Europe, and twice at the prestigious Carnegie Hall. Today’s performance is the culmination of a three-day event, “Water’s Flowing Together”, exploring the ecological, cultural, and economic future of the Bras d’Or Lake. The text is primarily of Celtic origin, much of which predates the 12th century, blending pre-Christian influence (Pagan, Wiccan, and Druid) with Christian and secular sources. The music embodies much that is traditionally Celtic, interwoven throughout with Macmillan’s original themes. Scott Macmillan will conduct this hour-long presentation and we are delighted that Cape Breton Chorale’s Ryan Billington has rejuvenated the Breton Chamber Choir for this concert. Joining them will be several vocal students from the Fountain School of Fine Arts at Dalhousie University, along with Mi’kmaw speaker Barbara Sylliboy and Gaelic speaker Dr. Shamus Y. MacDonald. The lineup of musicians includes Ingrid and Allan Henderson from Scotland, Brian Doyle, Glenn Coolen, Jude Pelley, Paula Jane Francis, and a string quintet lead by Shawn MacDonald, with Allie Bennett, Stewart MacDonald, Jeff-Lee Dadswell, and Ed Woodsworth. “He Who Tramples the World Tramples on Himself”, used in the Mass, is a prophetic saying from late 400AD and attributed to St. Columba. It is therefore extra exciting that today’s performance is at St. Columba Church. Celtic Mass For the Sea was performed at Celtic Colours in 2007 and we’re looking forward to this encore production presented by Àros na Mara.