The Nova Scotia Mass Choir is a Canadian

choral A choir ( ; also known as a chorale or chorus) is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform. Choirs may perform music from the classical music repertoire, which ...

ensemble based in Halifax,

Nova Scotia Nova Scotia ( ; ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is one of the three Maritime provinces and one of the four Atlantic provinces. Nova Scotia is Latin for "New Scotland". Most of the population are native Eng ...

. The choir performs mainly black

gospel music Gospel music is a traditional genre of Christian music, and a cornerstone of Christian media. The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of gospel music varies according to culture and social context. Gospel music is com ...

, and focuses on spreading the message of racial harmony.

History

The Nova Scotia Mass Choir was founded in 1992. In 1993 they performed in Washington, D.C., at a concert in memory of

Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr. (born Michael King Jr.; January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American Baptist minister and activist, one of the most prominent leaders in the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968 ...

"Past, present, future combine as Nova Scotia Mass Choir kicks off 25th year"
. ''Local Xpress'', Jan 13, 2017 by: Andrea Nemetz In 1995 the choir performed with Oliver Jones in Halifax. That year they released an album on the Jongleur label. By 1998 the choir had 63 members. The Nova Scotia Mass Choir has performed locally, nationally and internationally, and has won two

East Coast Music Award The East Coast Music Association is a non-profit association that hosts an annual awards ceremony based in Atlantic Canada for music appreciation on the East Coast of Canada. Its mission is to develop, advance and celebrate East Coast Canadian mus ...

s."Choir leader helps keep King’s dream alive at tribute"
''Chronicle Herald'', By ANDREA NEMETZ January 17, 2013 The choir reaches audiences that would not normally be exposed to the genre of black

, and showcases the cultural contributions of African Nova Scotians. The choir's repertoire features compositions by well-known local composers and musical directors as well as choir members themselves. The group also performs arrangements of traditional gospel and folk music. Several times a year, the Mass Choir gives benefit concerts in support of racial harmony and to assist various charitable causes, and performs an annual concert to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr.

References

External links

Nova Scotia Mass Choir official website

Nova Scotia Mass Choir on Facebook
{{Authority control 1992 establishments in Nova Scotia Musical groups established in 1992 Musical groups from Halifax, Nova Scotia Canadian Christian musical groups Canadian choirs