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In June of 1988, Scott Macmillan was commissioned through CBC radio producer Markandrew Cardiff and by the CBC Commission Office to create a "Celtic Mass for the Sea". The instrumentation was to be similar to an earlier project Scott had worked on, "The OCTET". This time there would be the addition of Irish bagpipes, (Uileann pipes), celtic harp, a sixty voice choir, string orchestra and a text that would reflect a Celtic perspective of the sea and, at the same time, address our responsibility to our environment. The text was researched, edited and adapted for the Mass layout by Jennyfer Brickenden.

Since ancient times, mankind has sought prayer, meditation, incantations, sacrificial rites, blessings, omens, proverbs, etc. to define and gather strength for both praise and hope. In the "Celtic Mass for the Sea", a text was compiled based on pre-Christian (pagan, wicca, druid), Christian and secular writings of Celtic origin, much of which dates back to before the 12th century. Up to the 12th century, Celtic Christianity was very pagan in its roots and in its application. Its foundation had been built around the superstitions and cultural heritage that had prevailed long before St. Patrick and St. Columba.

The music bases its themes on traditional Celtic rowing songs, sea-rapture songs, labour songs, funeral chants, pipe and fiddle tunes, as well as many original themes by Scott Macmillan.

During our research we were fortunate to locate highly respected Gaelic scholar Sister Margaret MacDonell, at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, NS. She in turn directed us to two resources which opened the floodgate to a seemingly endless flow of material. These two resources were Carmina Gadelica and Songs of the Hebrides Vol. 1.

Carmina Gadelica was first published in 1900. The collection of five volumes were orally collected by Alexander Garmichael who proceeded to edit and translate it into English from Gaelic. These volumes contain incantations and hymns from the Highlands and islands of Scotland. The volumers also include illustrative notes on words, rites, and customs that were dying and obsolete.

Songs of the Hebrides Vol. 1 was collected and arranged for voice and piano by Marjory Kennedy Fraser in 1909. She comments about her publication:

"The airs in this collection were gathered, most of them, among the most natural, genuine and uncorrupted people I have ever met, the dwellers in the lonely islands of the Outer Hebrides".
She dedicates her collection to the women of the Hebrides as an attempt to preserve and restore some of their songs. To Marjory Kennedy Fraser's credit, many of the airs in her collection are among the popular gaelic melodies we use today.

It should be noted that in the "Gaidhealtachds", (the Gaelic speaking regions), the culture is primarily non written or oral tradition. Alexander Carmichael explains in the introduction of the Carmina Gadelica:
"Gaelic oral literature was widely diffused, greatly abundant, and excellent in quality - in the opinion of scholars, unsurpassed by anything similar in the ancient classics of Greece or Rome. Many causes contributed towards the attainments: the crofting system, the social customs, and the evening 'ceilidh'. In a crofting community, the people work in union during the day and discuss in the house in the night. This meeting called a 'ceilidh' is a literary entertainment where stories and tales, poems and ballads, are rehearsed and recited and songs are sung, conundrums put, proverbs are quoted and many other literary matters are related and discussed."

There is a vast wealth of material that has been collected and published on Celtic lore. As we have been drawn in by the lyrical magic of these ancient verses we are humbled. In our endeavour to use these verses to enhance and motivate the audience towards a greater respect of our environment, it is apparent that the "Celtic Mass for the Sea" represents only the tip of the iceberg of these ancient lines and melodies that have so much relevance in our lives today.

ANNOUNCING
THE ULTIMATE CELTIC-CLASSICAL CROSSOVER!

CELTIC MASS for the SEA
By Canadian composer SCOTT MACMILLAN

This highly accessible contemporary work is a crossover between Celtic, Classical and Choral traditions. It uses voices blended with a string orchestra and traditional instruments such as Uileann pipes, Irish flute, guitars, mandolin and fiddle. Composed by Halifax-based Canadian composer Scott Macmillan to a libretto by Jennyfer Brickenden, The Mass is based on ancient Celtic sealore, incantations and chants. "Celtic Mass for the Sea" celebrates the reverence of ancient people for the sea's majesty, ferocity and vitality, and is a relevant message of hope for the oceans in these times of eco-destruction. 

This work will delight radio programmers, choral and symphony conductors looking for something new (especially in "Canadian Content") and anyone interested in the current Celtic revival.

Scott Macmillan has interwoven his own original themes into traditionally Celtic styles, including rowing songs, funeral chants, sea-rapture songs, pipe and fiddle tunes, and labour songs. The Mass' text is based on the Celtic oral traditions, from pre-12 century pagan, Wiccan and Druid sources on. Among the sources used by librettist Jennyfer Brickenden were the "Carmina Gadelica", collected by Alexander Carmichael in the mid-1800s, "Songs of the Hebrides", Marjorie Kennedy Fraser, 1909, and "From the Farthest Hebrides", collected by Donald Fergusson in 1912.

SCOTT MACMILLAN was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1955. He studied composition and arranging at Humber College in Toronto, then returned to Halifax to pursue his musical career. His original compositions have taken him from the Montreal Jazz Festival to frequent appearances with Symphony Nova Scotia. He has been influenced by the rich Maritimes culture, which includes Scots, Acadian and Black cultures. "Celtic Mass for the Sea" is the third recording of his compositions.

THE MASS IS AVAILABLE ON CD AND CASSETTE:
INQUIRIES FOR PERFORMANCE RIGHTS AND PARTS should be made to:

SCOJEN MUSIC PRODUCTIONS LTD.
5543 Sebastian Place, Halifax, NS, Canada
B3K 2K5, Tel: (902) 455-6325

Celtic Mass for the Sea RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 5, 1993

In the summer of 1993, a group of talented artists from the Celtic, Choral and Classical communities came together to record Celtic Mass for the Sea. The piece is a contemporty celebration based on ancient Celtic sealore, incantations and chants.

Celtic Mass for the Sea, by Halifax composer Scott Macmillan and Halifax Librettist Jennifer Brickenden, reflects their hope for the state of the Oceans in this time of increasing destruction to the Earth's most precious Ecosystems. 

In 1988, CBC Radio Producer Markandrew Cardiff and Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) commissioned Scott to compose Celtic Mass for the Sea. The score that emerged includes, Uileann pipes, Irish flute, guitars, mandolin, fiddle, string orchestra and full choir. The text was researched, adapted and edited by Jennyfer Brickenden.

This new recording features the Halifax Camerata Singers along with a 5 piece Celtic ensemble, a 13 piece string ensemble, comprised predominately from Symphony Nova Scotia, theatre actors John Dartt and Joan Gregson taking the spoken verses with soloists Lorraine Thompson, Paula Rockwell, David Loughead, Vito Dephilippo. The Halifax Camerata Singers were prepared for this recording by their Artistic Director, Jeff Joudrey. The recording session was taped live on the studio floor and was conducted by Scott Macmillan at Solar Audio in Halifax, NS, and engineered and mastered by Hayward Parrott.

The text is based on writings of Celtic origin, many of which predate the 12th century; consequently it blends pre-Christian influence (pagan, Wiccan and Druid) with Christian and secular sources. The musical themes embody much that is traditionally Celtic, including rowing songs, funeral chants, sea-rapture songs, pipe and fiddle tunes, and labout songs. Interwoven with this material, Halifax composer, conductor, guitarist Scott Macmillan has created many of his own original themes.

Celtic Mass for the Sea text and music were derived from three primary sources: the "Carmina Gadalica", collected by Alexander Carmichael, mid 1800's; "Songs of the Hebrides", Major Kennedy Fraser, 1909; and "From the Farthest Hebrides", collected by Donald Ferguson, 1912. 

Scott Macmillan was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1955. He studied composition and arranging at Humber College, Toronto, from 1978 to 1980, then returned to Halifax to pursue his musical career. He is a member of the Canadian Music Centre. His original music has taken him from the Montreal Jazz Festival to frequent appearances with Symphony Nova Scotia. 

His unique talents have allowed him to move freely among the diverse cultures in Nova Scotia: He collaborated with the late Dr. Helen Creighton; he has worked extensively with the Acadians and the Blacks in the province; and has immersed himself in the traditions of Celtic music. Since the summer of 1992 Scott has been active recording with Atlantica Music and Celtic Mass for the Sea marks his third recording project with them. The others are Songs of the Cape with the Octct and Guitar Souls Live with David MacIsaac.

THIS RECORDING WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY:
Dept. of Communications and the CAN/NS CO-OP Agreement on Cultural Development: FACTOR; Scojen Music Productions Ltd., 5543 Sebastian Place, HFX. NS, B3K 2K5, (902)455-6325; Atlantica Music (902)422-7000 or FAX (902)422-2929; Marquis Classics, 144 Front Street West, Toronto, Canada, M5J 2L7, FAX (416)595-5487.


CELTIC MASS FOR THE SEA

Composer: Scott Macmillan, Librettist: Jennyfer Brickenden
Conductor: Scott Macmillan

Soloists: Soprano: Lorraine Thompson Tenor:David Loughead
Contralto: Paula Rockwell Baritone: Vito Cephilippo
Spoken verse: Jaon Gregson John Dartt

Halifax Camerata Singers Artistic Director: Jeff Joudrey

Celtic Ensemble (5) Fiddle: Janet Munson; Mandolin: Louis Benoit;
Celtic Harp: Cheryl Reid O'Hagan: Uileann Pipes/Irish Flute: Jon Goodman; First Guitar: Andrew Russell; Second Guitar:Scott Macmillan

String Orchestra (13) First Violin: George Maxmann, Philippe Djokic, Anne Rapson, Jennifer Jones; Second Violin: Christopher Wilkinson, Nancy Kershaw, Karen Langille;
Viola: Chantal Boivin, Yvonne DeRoller, Susan Sayle; Cello: Shimon Walt, Norman Adams; Bass:Max Kasper

Executive Producer: Jennyfer Brickenden
Producer: Scott Macmillan
Associate Producer: Steve Naylor
Recorded: Solar Audio & Recording, Halifax, NS
Engineer: Hayward Parrott
2nd Engineer:Micheal Nichols
Mixed: SOLAR Audio, Halifax, NS
Edited and Mastered: Hayward Parrott
Colour Photography: Gilbert van Ryckevorsel
Black and white Photography: Albert Lee
Cover Design: Lou Cable Design 

Since ancient times humankind has lifted its voice in prayer. Through meditation, incantations, sacrificial rites, blessings, omens and proverbs the peoples of the earth have gathered strength and hope by praising the indefinable wisdom of the universe.

Celtic Christianity was grafted onto the superstitions of the culture that prevailed long before St. Patrick and St. Columba. It was therefore pagan in its roots and until the 12th century, in its application. "Celtic Mass for the Sea" rekindles an ancient lore of the ocean. The text, which is based on writings of Celtic origin, many of which predate the 12th century, consequently blends pre-Christian influence (pagan, Wiccan and Druid) with Christian and secular sources. The Musical themes embody much that is traditionally Celtic, including rowing songs, funeral chants, sea-rapture songs, pipe and fiddle tunes, and labour songs. Interwoven with this material, Halifax, composer, conductor and guitarist Scott Macmillan has created many of his own original themes.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) commissioned Scott to compose "Celtic Mass for the Sea" in 1988. The score that emerged included Uileann pipes, Irish flute, guitars, mandolin, fiddle, string orchestra and full choir. The text was researched, adapted and edited by Jennyfer Brickenden. The world première of "Celtic Mass for the Sea" was on February 15, 1991, when Scott conducted the strings of Symphony Nova Scotia, the Halifax Camerata Singers, the Cantabile Singers of Truro and a Celtic ensemble. The performance was recorded by CBC and broadcast live to air on Arts National. It was rebroadcast on Thanksgiving Day, October 12,1992.

"Celtic Mass for the Sea" celebrates the reverence of the ancient peoples for the sea's majesty, ferocity and vitality. More than at any other time in human history we need to learn from this long ago vision. Our oceans are depleted, our planet in crisis; it is Scott and Jennyfer's belief that only through empowerment of the human spirit will we find the collective will to make the sacrifices that will restore balance and harmony to our global home. 

Scott Macmillan was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1955. He studied composition and arranging at Humber College, Toronto, from 1978 to 1980, then returned to Halifax to pursue his musical career. He is a member of the Canadian Music Centre. His original music has taken him from the Montreal Jazz Festival to frequent appearances with Symphony Nova Scotia. His unique talents have allowed him to move freely among the diverse cultures in Nova Scotia: he collaborated with the late Dr. Helen Creighton; he has worked extensively with the Acadians and the Blacks in the Province; and has immersed himself in the traditions of Celtic music. Since the summer of 1992 Scott has been active recording with Atlantica Music and "Celtic Mass for the Sea" marks his third recording project with them. The others are the Octet "Songs of the Cape", and Guitar Souls "Live".

Jennyfer Brickenden was also born in Halifax, in 1956 and spent her childhood traveling the globe with her family. In the 1970's she studied Environmental Planning at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. While there Jennyfer compiled a one hour long student documentary on the Bahamian Blues/Folk legend, Joseph Spence and spent time in Cornwall England with the authors and editors of "The Ecologist" magazine. Making her home in Toronto from 1978 to 1980 she was member of the Orpheus Choir under Lloyd Bradshaw and was involved with their record release of a "Concert of Carols", after which she returned to Halifax. Jennyfer and Scott are co-owners of Scojen Music Productions and she has acted as executive producer for Scott's recordings with Atlantica Music.

Jeff Joudrey, born in Nova Scotia(?) in 1954, has a degree in organ performance from McGill University in Montreal and in 1984 apprenticed with Wayne Riddell, the Conductor of the Tudor Singers of Montreal. Jeff is the founder and Artistic Director of the highly respected Halifax Camerata Singers and also directs the Cantabile Singers and the First Baptist Girl's Choir, both of Truro. A member of the Nova Scotia Choral Federation, Jeff has served as Assistant Master Conductor at the Institute of Choral Arts.

JEWEL BOX.
......Sounding forever mysteriously"

CELTIC MASS FOR THE SEA

Conductor: Scott Macmillan

Composer: Scott Macmillan

Librettist: Jennyfer Brickenden

Soloists
Soprano: Lorraine Thompson Tenor: David Loughead
Contralto: Paula Rockwell Baritone: Vito Dephilippo

Spoken verse
Joan Gregson John Dartt

Halifax Camarata Singers
Artistic Director; Jeff Joudrey

Celtic Ensemble and String Orchestra

Total running time: 55 Minutes

Producer: Scott Macmillan; Executive Producer: Jennyfer Brickenden;
Engineer: Hayward Parrott; Front/Back Cover: Gilbert van Ryckevorsel. 

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