Scott Macmillan’s passion for creating music propels him forward driven by his need to create. Scott 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. Currently, Scott is composing Woodland Revival his dedication to the forests. In 2019, he premiered his guitar concerto 12 & Change with Symphony Nova Scotia.
His music has taken Scott to many places, such as Carnegie Hall in New York, 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 in the British Isles, Germany, the U.S., and has crossed Canada many times to conduct orchestras, perform, make television and radio shows, and soundtracks for films.
The 2014 recipient of Nova Scotia’s top Artist Prize, the Portia White Prize, Scott is a musical treasure who has played 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 1990s, and the Nova Scotia Mass Choir.
It’s connections with people that feed Scott, 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,” he enthuses.
That ethic inspires audiences and musicians to love Scott’s works such as Suite Silver Dart, MacKinnon’s Brook Suite, Within Sight of Shore, and Aiseag-the ferryboat. In 2015, he collaborated with Alan Syliboy in a Tribute to the Mi’kmaw poet Rita Joe.
Inspired by his desire to learn, 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 at Dalhousie University.
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