Making Early Music in Nova Scotia since 1978 

Early Music refers to music composed before approximately 1750. This includes composers such as Bach, Purcell, Lully and many others. 

The Early Music Society of Nova Scotia exists:
  • to open lines of communication related to early music activities within the community
  • to nurture early music making at all levels
  • to encourage performance opportunities
  • to build audiences that enjoy early music.
medieval woman painting holding a lute
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We host 'readings' where vocalists and musicians get together to play (without rehearsal), and workshops with professionals, including dance night, throughout the year and occasionally professional concerts. Many of our members are part of classes in a particular instrument and/or informal consorts which meet to play early music. 

Latest Posts

Characteristics of Early Music

played and promoted by EMSNS

  • Written by western European composers before 1750, including the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and Baroque periods
  • begins with plain (monophonic) Gregorian chant of the Middle Ages through the development of polyphony, madrigals and opera

Upcoming Events

Helios Vocal Ensemble presents “Sweet Flames”

Join Helios Vocal Ensemble for “Sweet Flames,” an afternoon of love songs spanning the Renaissance to the 20th century, from the sweet and sincere to the passionate—and even the downright […]

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15 February 2026

Recorder, Vocal and Harpsichord Lessons with Vincent Lauzer and Dorothea Ventura

We are pleased to welcome two of Canada's most celebrated early music performers and offer recorder players, vocalists and harpsichordists an opportunity to book a world class lesson with recorder […]

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22 March 2026

A Reading with Vincent Lauzer and Dorothea Ventura

The Early Music Society of Nova Scotia is excited to offer its members a Reading for instrumentalists and vocalists at St. Georges Round Church with recorder virtuoso  Vincent Lauzer (http://www.vincentlauzer.com […]

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22 March 2026
St. George’s Anglican Round Church, 2222 Brunswick Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada
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The Current Board

President: Harold Rennie

Vice President: Anita Regan

Treasurer: Margo Lindener

Secretary: Leslie Hallett

Members at large:

Karen Langille

Jay Perry

Christopher Purcell

Kate Wilkinson

Susan Barratt

Marcus Merrin