October 7, 2004
MIANS Nomination!

The Music Industry Association of Nova Scotia (MIANS) is pleased to announce nominations for the Music and Industry Awards as part of Nova Scotia Music Week/RendezVous Folk! 2004 which will take place in Halifax from November 18-21, 2004. Troy has been nominated along with JP Cormier, Susan Crowe, and others for Folk/Roots Artist/Group Recording of the Year.

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Troy MacGillivray of Lanark, Antigonish Co, Nova Scotia, was the recipient of the "Auleen Theriault Young Tradition Award for 2004" at the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival in Goderich, Ontario on August 7. Troy is the 6th person to recieve the award. Last year's winner was Celine Donnohue of Glasgow, Scotland. The award is given to an artist that shows outstanding talent and love for traditional and roots based music.

The Celtic Festival in it's 12th year celebrates the folk music, dance and craft art traditions of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and other countries including Canada. The Festival was awarded The Best Cultural Event In Ontario last year by Attractions Canada.

Troy performed at the festival and was accompanied by BBC award winning guitarist and fiddler, Anna Massie of Scotland. Also on the bill were the Barra MacNeils, Irish fiddler Liz Carrol and guitarist John Doyle, Alisdair Fraser and Tony McManus of Scotland to name a few.

The award is named in memory of one of the first Crew Chiefs of the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival and a tireless advocate for young people, Auleen Theriault.

Now twenty-four years old, Troy has two studio recordings which both received ECMA nominations in 2003 and 2004, along with a 2004 MIANS Awards nomination. In 2002, Troy graduated from St. Francis Xavier University with a Bachelor of Arts, major in Music.

Earlier in 2004, Troy successfully completed his first Canadian Tour in support of his latest CD, BOOMERANG. He will be busy this fall as part of the lineup for the Celtic Colours International Festival in Cape Breton, Solas Feis 2004 in Derry, Ireland and the Edinburgh Fiddle Festival in Scotland.

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Right from the start, this is powerful music and no mistake. Fiddler and pianist Troy MacGillivray kicks off with one of his own tunes, and follows through with a medley of strathspeys and reels from the Scottish and Irish traditions, including high-energy classics Lady Anne Montgomery and The Bonnie Lass of Fisherrow, the driven bow backed up by great Cape Breton piano. With the introductions over, Troy sticks to piano for two tracks: more strathspeys and reels, and a set of Dan R MacDonald jigs played as they should be, with guitar accompaniment this time. The title tune Boomerang ends track three in excellent style. Back to the fiddle for a march, strathspey and reel set, ending with an electrifying change of pace into Steve Cooney's Gone Skidooing and Jerry Holland's Reel For Carl: young Troy has taste as well as talent.

And so this album unfolds. The Cape Breton repertoire is put through its paces on piano and fiddle by this lad from Antigonish in the very heart of Nova Scotia, and he reveals rare brilliance in tunes which are unfamiliar to me: the Mountain Ranger hornpipe, the slow air Tweedside Lasses, Yester House Strathspey, and the aptly-named Traditional Jig to pick some of the highlights. There are several of Troy's compositions too, not out of place among tunes by William Marshall, Scott Skinner, Glenn Graham, and of course Dan R.

Boomerang is Troy MacGillivray's second abum. It shows a mature pair of hands, gifted enough to take old material and breathe new life into it, but confident enough to stay within their tradition. This CD is solid Cape Breton throughout, raw dance music built on traditional foundations and brought to life by a master: fiddle, piano and guitar played the old-fashioned way, no apologies, no pretentions. Take it or leave it. Either way, check out www.troymacgillivray.com for free samples and more information.

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Nova Scotia is rightly praised for the fiddle traditions of Cape Breton, but on the mainland around Antigonish there is also a real hotbed of fiddle music with roots deep in the Highlands of Scotland. The MacGillivrays are descended from Highland settlers who came to Canada in 1791, bringing their rich music with them.

These MacGillivrays are a pretty talented bunch! At the end of April we brought young fiddler/pianist Troy MacGillivray to the St. James Hall for a concert, and he did not disappoint. His prodigious fiddle talents and compositional skills really shone, and his latest CD, "Boomerang," also showcases his piano playing to great effect.

Kendra MacGillivray has released three CDs to date, and has a new one due out to coincide with this western tour. I remember being particularly impressed with her fiddle playing when she performed at the Vancouver Celtic Festival a few years ago. Plenty of others have been impressed, too, for she has won numerous East Coast Music Awards. Somewhere in there she's managed to receive a Bachelor of Business Management degree from St. Francis Xavier University, and was recently voted "Alumna of the Year" at that revered  institution. It will be great to hear Kendra again. Her music is heavily influenced by her late grandfather's music. Hugh A. MacDonald was a recording pioneer and a much revered figure in Nova Scotia fiddle music. "Hughie the Fiddler", as he was known, played for dances, weddings, concerts, and such for over 70 years. He was a regular guest on radio shows from the 1930s onwards, and the family home is something of a shrine for visiting fiddlers from around the world. Hughie died before these three siblings were born, but they all danced to his records and that was how Kendra made her start in music.

Sabra MacGillivray is a celebrated Highland dancer and teacher, who also plays bodhran. She is a registered massage therapist too, with her own practice in Port Hawkesbury.

The MacGillivrays represent some of the finest young talent in the country, and are touring western Canada together for the first time. It will be a scintillating evening for fans of Scottish and East Coast fiddle music.

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Nova Scotia musician Troy MacGillivray said the only place he's played in that comes close to Iqaluit was northern Scotland.

"It was almost like it," he said.

"No trees. Rocky hills. It's great."

MacGillivray, his sisters Kendra and Sabra, and singer Dave Gunning made the most of their week in the Nunavut capital.

Wednesday night the MacGillivrays led a fiddle workshop. Thursday afternoon they played for students. Friday afternoon they played for elders. Saturday night was their Nova Scotia Kitchen Party at the Cadet Hall.

The Kitchen Party featured setpieces of the MacGillivrays and their guest Dave Gunning singing, fiddling, playing piano and performing highland dancing, along with a few informal jams.

If they can fit it in, MacGillvray said he hoped to do some snowmobiling.

The trip to Iqaluit came about through many connections Nunavut musicians have with the East coast. Fiddle groups have contacts with other fiddle groups. Students from Nunavut attend Gaelic College at St. Ann's in Cape Breton every summer for music instruction, and Iqaluit musician Jimmie Inch even went to school in the MacGillivray's hometown of Antigonish, N.S.

"It's like a big clique," said MacGillivray.

Even so, he said it was a moving experience to walk into the Wednesday night workshop and hear Iqaluit fiddlers practicing songs from Nova Scotia.

"It was exciting to hear tunes from home," he said.

MacGillivray has been on the road for more than a month, cross-crossing the nation on his "Boomerang" tour. He started in Toronto, went across country to Victoria, B.C., headed back to Nova Scotia and New Brunswick then took a jaunt to Ottawa where he met up with his sisters for the trip to Iqaluit.

After the shows in Iqaluit, he wraps up the tour with a few more shows in Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland.

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Quality Canadian music is probably the most common thread between two musicians playing the Duncan Garage Showroom this week.

Nova Scotian fiddler and pianist Troy MacGillivray and guitarist Brent Chiasson grace the Garage tonight (April 28) before veteran country guitarist Tinkham and bassist Keith Picot arrive for an April 29 gig.

MacGillivray, 21, is a keeper of Gaelic musical traditions in his native Antigonish where he began step dancing at age six then focused on fiddle and piano.

He taught piano at the Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and crafts in Cape Breton at 13 then began his performing career.

MacGillivray released his first CD Musical Ties in 2001, blending contemporary and original songs with 200-year-old melodies incorporating strathspeys, jigs and reels. Now he's touring his fresh disc Boomerang
across Canada.

But jazz doesn't normally jibe with Tinkham's tunes.

The Gabriola islander's an old hand at swing, rockabilly and country tunes, having been a regular on the country-folk scene since 1980 when he was hired for Diamond Joe White's band.

Tinkham began playing and recording with Ian Tyson in 1982 and stuck with the folk icon for the next 15 years. His work with Cindy Church landed both players pews in the Juno-nominated Great Western Orchestra.

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Nova Scotia fiddler/pianist Troy MacGillivray is embarking on one of the most extensive Canadian tours ever done by a musician, let alone an independent musician.

The tour is in support of MacGillivray's latest release, Boomerang, which will take the artist from Newfoundland to B.C., up to Nunavut and every province and territory in between.

Released in June, Boomerang features piano and fiddle played in purist traditional Celtic stylings.

MacGillivray will be accompanied by Brent Chaisson on guitar and piano. The duo plays the Creekside Theatre in Lake Country May 2 and Lorenzo's Cafe, located in Ashton Creek east of Enderby, May 3.

MacGillivray has already had a busy touring year, performing at the East Coast Music Awards (ECMA) gala awards show in St. John's, Nfld., which was televised around the country on CBC TV, CBC Radio Two, CMT Canada and USA and around the world on the Internet via CBC Radio Two's online feed.

While touring Scotland, he appeared at the Celtic Connections International Festival in Glasgow, at Hootenanny's Pub in Inverness, and performed on BBC Scotland Radio.

On stage, the Antigonish native proudly continues the rich musical traditions of both sides of his family.

"The Lanark-MacGillivrays and MacDonalds have been proprietors of the Gaelic tradition in Nova Scotia for generations and were recently honoured when Hugh A. MacDonald (MacGillivray's grandfather) was inducted into the Nova Scotia Country Hall of Fame for his contribution to the Gaelic culture of the province," reads the fiddler's bio.

That family connection also extends to MacGillivray's sister, Kendra, whom he has spent the last decade performing with and arranging music for. MacGillivray's accompaniment and musical arrangement provided a foundation for two of Kendra's CDs, including her latest recording, Over the Waves, which earned two ECMAs in 2002.

MacGillivray began impressing audiences with his step dancing at age six, and by the time he turned 13, he was teaching piano at the renowned Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts in St. Ann's, Cape Breton.

His list of school credits include Grade 7 piano from the Toronto Conservatory of Music, four years in a stringed orchestra at Dr. John H. Gillis High School and a bachelor of arts with a major in music from Saint Francis Xavier University's notable jazz program.

MacGillivray and Chaisson start their performances at 7:30 p.m. 

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When musician Troy MacGillivray goes on tour he goes all the way.

"It's going to be a long time," said the fiddler and pianist from Antigonish, Nova Scotia. "By the time it ends it will cover all the provinces, from Newfoundland to B.C. and Nunavut . . . We should have some Air Miles after this.

"It's been great. It's something I've always wanted to do. It's fun, I really love being on the road and I wanted to promote the album."

MacGillivray is currently promoting his second recording, Boomerang, which received a 2004 East Coast Music Awards nomination for Instrumental Album of the Year. His debut Musical Ties received the same nomination last year. His music is a mix of MacGillivray's original material and more traditional East Coast tunes.

MacGillivray is touring with Brent Chaisson, who plays guitar and piano. The multi-instrumentalists put on a show rich in the musical traditions of both their families, including some rousing step dancing.

"I started piano when I was seven and fiddle when I was 10. I don't remember not being surrounded by fiddle music," MacGillivray said on the phone from on the highway between Kingston and Toronto. "The two of us grew up in the same boat."

MacGillivray and Chaisson perform at the All Saints Church Hall, 287 Pallisier Ave. in View Royal April 27 8 p.m.

Admission is $15. Tickets are available at A&B Sound and Lyle's Place by calling 514-7241 or at the door.

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Fiddler and pianist Troy MacGillivray is embarking on one of the most extensive Canadian tours ever done. The tour is in support of MacGillivray's latest release entitled Boom-erang. It really is a "boom-erang" tour, as it is taking the Nova Scotian performer to all three coasts of Canada - from Newfoundland to British Col-umbia and up to Nunavut.

MacGillivray will visit the Comox Valley on Thursday, April 29 with an 8 p.m. performance at Sound Advice Music Shop in Courtenay. Tickets cost $15 and are available at Sound Advice (1170 Cliffe Ave.), by phone at 334-4885 or at the door.

MacGillivray highlighted a busy year in 2003 with the release of his second album, Boomerang, which received a 2004 ECMA nomination for Instrumental Album of the Year. The album is hot on the heels of his first, Musical Ties, which received an ECMA Nomination for Instrumental Artist/Group of the Year in February 2003.

The Music Industry Association of Nova Scotia has also recognized MacGillivray this year with a nomination for Folk/Traditional Artist of the Year.

Boomerang, released in June 2003, is a demonstration of the piano and fiddle played in the purist traditional stylings. It is a roots-centred approach with the power to capture any audience. Joining MacGillivray on the album are Dave MacIsaac, Dave Gunning, Cheryl Smith and Paul Mills.

On stage, MacGillivray proudly continues the rich musical traditions of both sides of his family. The Lanark MacGillivrays and MacDonalds have been proprietors of the Gaelic tradition in Antigonish County, N.S. for generations and were recently honored when MacGillivray's grandfather, Hugh A. MacDonald, was inducted to the Nova Scotia Country Hall of Fame for his contribution to the Gaelic culture of that province.

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Fiddler and pianist Troy MacGillivray is embarking on one of the most extensive Canadian tours ever done by a musician, let alone an independent musician!

The tour is in support of MacGillivray's latest release "Boomerang" and this really is the boomerang tour as it is taking MacGillivray to all three coasts of Canada.

From Newfoundland to British Columbia and up to Nunavut, this tour is stopping in all the provinces and one territory of Canada.

It's definitely going to be an exciting time for this young musician from Antigonish, Nova Scotia! He'll be appearing Thursday, April 29 in Courtenay, at Sound Advice (1170 Cliffe Avenue) at 8 p.m.

MacGillivray highlighted a busy year in 2003 with the release of his second album, Boomerang, which received a 2004 ECMA Nomination for Instrumental Album of the Year.

The album is hot on the heels of his first album, "Musical Ties" which received an ECMA Nomination for Instrumental Artist/Group of the Year in February 2003.

Boomerang is a demonstration of the piano and fiddle played in the purist traditional stylings. It is a roots-centred approach with the power to capture any audience.

MacGillivray is joined on the album by Dave MacIsaac, Dave Gunning, Cheryl Smith and Paul Mills. The album was engineered by Mills who is known for his work with CBC, Sharon, Lois & Bram, Rita MacNeil and Stan Rogers.

On stage, MacGillivray proudly continues the rich musical traditions of both sides of his family. The Lanark MacGillivray's and MacDonald's have been proprietors of the Gaelic tradition in Antigonish County for generations and were recently honoured when Hugh A. MacDonald (MacGillivray's grandfather) was inducted to the Nova Scotia Country Hall of Fame for his contribution to the Gaelic culture of Nova Scotia.

MacGillivray began impressing audiences with his step dancing at age six, and by age 13 he was teaching piano at the renowned Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts in St. Ann's, Cape Breton.

Advance tickets are $15 available at Sound Advice or by calling 334-4885.

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He's young, but he likes to keep things traditional.

For the past 12 years, acclaimed fiddler Troy MacGillivray has been playing music associated with Gaelic/Scottish and Canadian roots -- and hailing from Nova Scotia, the Cape Breton style fiddle playing comes easily to him.

Although he's a two-time ECMA (East Coast Music Association) nominee (2002 and 2003), and is no stranger to the stage, MacGillivray admits that he's a little nervous about tomorrow night's concert in Shelburne at Grace Tipling Hall.

"It makes me a little nervous," he said to The Banner, "because with Shelburne (being a fiddle-oriented town) you know they may be listening differently, and that they may know some of the tunes I'll be playing."

But it also makes him all the more excited to stop there on his coast to coast ... to coast ... tour in support of his second CD, Boomerang.

Going from Newfoundland out west to British Columbia, the young independent musician will also travel all the way north to Nunavut to perform.

The common factor all across the country, he says, is the calming feeling he gets from performing.

"I feel really relaxed and happy when I play. I want the audience to feel happy and like they want to get up and dance," he says. "I make it as light and as fun as possible."

His new CD, which comes on the heels of a very successful first CD Musical Ties, showcases both fiddle and piano playing. The multi-talented musician describes it as a reflection of what he learned as a 10-year-old.

"It's very traditional. But, a lot of people say it's happy, fun and upbeat -- and I'm totally excited."

Tickets to see MacGillivray play at 8 p.m. on April 17 in Shelburne are available for $15 at Paradise Found Thrift Store and Fat Murphy's Bar & Grill; tickets will also be available at the door. 

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It seems musician Troy MacGillivray had it pretty easy when the time came to consider his career options.

The Nova Scotia fiddler's grandfather recorded music in the 1930s, his grandmother played the piano, his father plays guitar and the fiddle, and his sister Kendra is a pianist, fiddler and highland dancer.

One thing was for certain; this kid was not going to be an accountant.

"Music was always around me," says Mr. MacGillivray. "I don't remember not hearing it."

Since then, he has become an accomplished fiddler and pianist. Later this month, his national tour stops in Harrison in support of his recent CD, Boomerang.

Growing up in Antigonish where Celtic and Gaelic music is lived and breathed, the talented 24-year-old drew from his family roots to study and perform traditional Gaelic music. His first turn on stage took place when he was 10 ("I remember being nervous but I think I was too young to understand everyone was watching me. I remember I did not want to make a mistake.") and he began touring when he was 15.

"It is typically the music you would hear in eastern Nova Scotia, Antigonish, and through Cape Breton," he says, adding he also liked to include Irish tunes in his repertoire. "I got wrapped up in it at a young age, got used to doing it, and it's hard to get away from."

And he doesn't mind sharing - by age 13, he was teaching piano at the renowned Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts in St. Anne's, Cape Breton.

"I know when I am able to play the music I love the most, there is a calmness," he says. "I feel really relaxed kind of like nothing else is important at the time.

"You just sit down and play...and it feels great."

Mr. MacGillivray struck gold with his first CD, Musical Ties, which received an East Coast Music nomination for Instrumental Artist/Group of the Year.

The Music Industry Association of Nova Scotia also recognized the young fiddler with a nomination for Folk/Traditional Artist of the Year.

But as with many performers, Mr. MacGillivray finds he is happiest when he is in front of an audience.

"I love sitting down and playing a bunch of tunes and people enjoying it, at a dance or concert, or what have you," he says.

And not content with an already versatile musical talent, he says he is next looking at learning guitar ("I took lessons when I was seven or eight, but never really got into it. I found it kind of difficult.") and the drums ("I don't know how people will like it. My family might be getting annoyed," he chuckles.)

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Next week the East Coast of Canada is sharing one of their greatest treasures with us West Coasters, as Troy MacGillivray makes a stop on his "Boomerang" tour schedule in View Royal. This 24-year-old Nova Scotian has been playing classical music since he was a wee lad. Excelling on the fiddle and the piano  "Boomerang" is Troy's second release and won "Best Instrumental Album of the Year" in 2003.

Joining MacGillivray for this tour is PEI's Brent Chaisson. Chaisson has been playing since he was five years old, and will accompany MacGillivray on both the guitar and the piano. Chaisson was a part of the Celtic rock group Kindle, who opened for numerous well-known artists, including Glass Tiger. Chaisson's compositions appear on a number of different recordings.

Together, this talented duo will surely provide an incredible evening of music and enjoyment. One you won't want to miss if you are a fan of Gaelic and Canadian traditional music. I've been listening to MacGillivray's release all week, and it's really wonderful!

The All Saint's Church Hall (287 Palliser Ave) will be welcoming this talented duo with doors wide open, for one night only. You can pick up advance tickets at A&B Sound, Lyle's Place, or by calling (250) 514-7241. Tickets will also be available at the door for $15.

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Fiddler, piano player and stepdancer, Troy MacGillivray was born into a rich musical tradition For generations, the MacGillivrays on his father's side and the MacDonalds on his mother's side have been proprietors of the Gaelic tradition in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.

The Harrison Festival Society is presenting Troy MacGillivray in concert on April 24 at 8 p.m. in the Memorial Hall in Harrison Hot Springs.

MacGillivray will be accompanied by Brent Chaisson, another name with deep Gaelic roots, on guitar and piano.

At age 24, MacGillivray proudly continues his family's tradition on-stage with exciting displays of musical genius and off-stage with a perfectionist's approach to hard work.

He began impressing audiences with his step dancing at age six and soon decided to master the piano and fiddle. By age thirteen, MacGillivray was teaching piano at the renowned Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts in St. Anne's, Cape Breton. He soon developed into a capable piano and fiddle soloist.

As an accompanist, MacGillivray has had the opportunity to delight audiences across Canada and the U.S. and overseas from Switzerland to Australia. His remarkable sound can be heard working with ECMA recognized performers such as his sister Kenda, Dave Gunning, and Glenn Graham.

MacGillivray has spent the last several years working with his sister Kendra, sharing his talent for performing and arranging both on the stage and in the studio. His brilliant accompaniment and musical arrangement provide a foundation for two of Kendra's CDs including her latest recording, Over The Waves, which earned her two ECMAs in 2002 (Female Artist and Instrumental Artist of the Year).

The past year has been a busy one for Troy with the release of his second CD, Boomerang. This follows the 2001 release of his first CD Musical Ties which received an East Coast Music nomination for Instrumental Artist/Group of the Year. Musical Ties marks the beginning of a transition for Troy from the shadows of accompaniment wizardry, into the spotlight as one of the East Coast's most pleasing young performers. The Music Industry Association of Nova Scotia has also recognized Troy with a nomination for Folk/Traditional Artist of the Year.

Tickets are $16 and are available from the Harrison Festival office at 1-604-796-3664, the Agassiz Pharmasave and the Valle School of Beauty in Chilliwack. Check www.harrisonfestival.com  for information

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The Nova Scotian born fiddler/pianist who will perform at the Harrison Memorial Hall April 24, MacGillivray, already has a long list of successes to his credit.

In support of his second CD Boomerang, MacGillivray is embarking on a two-month tour that will take him from coast to coast to coast.

Having played at Harrison twice before he is looking forward to leaving the snowy East Coast behind for the warmth and hospitality of the west.

"Harrison is great. They are very lively and they are always happy to see you," he said.

On this tour MacGillivray will be accompanied by guitarist and pianist Brent Chiasson.

"This is my first time with such an extensive tour. I've done lots of tours that are six or seven days long, but two months and all across Canada is the most I've every done," he said, adding, "I'm excited and a little nervous." And he's purposely kept his entourage small.

Since September of last year MacGillivray, who writes his own as well as plays others' music, has been fine-tuning his work for the road. His music is rooted in Gaelic tradition.

Much of the tunes he will play this time around come from his latest release.

"Much of the content will come from the CD Boomerang which the tour is for. A lot of it will be from that but I will put sets from my first CD, entitled Musical Ties, which I never actually toured," he said. 

Although typically touring is the way for artists to get their music out to the public, MacGillivray managed to make a success with his first musical compilation by selling it at local music festivals and receiving radio air play at home. Boomerang is described as a demonstration of the piano and fiddle played in traditional stylings. Contributors to the album were: Dave MacIsaac, Dave Gunning, Cheryl Smith and Paul Mills.

MacGillivray's list of accolades include: a 2004 ECMA nomination for Instrumental Album of the Year for Boomerang; a 2003 ECMA nomination for Instrumental Artist/Group of the Year in 2003 for his first album; and a nomination by the Music Industry Association of Nova Scotia for Folk/Traditional Artist of the Year.

MacGillivray will take to the stage at Harrison April 24 at 8 p.m. Admission is $16 with advance tickets available at the Harrison Festival Society Office, Agassiz Pharmasave, and the Valle School of Beauty in Chilliwack or by calling 604-796-3664. Tickets will also be available at the door.

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Fiddler, piano player and stepdancer, Troy MacGillivray was born into a rich musical tradition. For generations, the MacGillivrays on his father's side and the MacDonalds on his mother's side have been proprietors of the Gaelic tradition in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. The Harrison Festival Society presents Troy MacGillivray in concert, Saturday, April 24 at 8 pm in the Memorial Hall, Harrison Hot Springs. Troy will be accompanied by Brent Chaisson, another name with deep Gaelic roots, on guitar and piano

At age 23, Troy continues his family's tradition on-stage with exciting displays of musical genius and off-stage with a perfectionist's approach to hard work.

Troy began impressing audiences with his step dancing at age six and soon decided to master the piano and fiddle. By age 13, Troy was teaching piano at the renowned Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts in St. Anne's, Cape Breton. Troy soon developed into a capable piano and fiddle soloist.

As an accompanist, Troy has had the opportunity to delight audiences across Canada and the US and overseas from Switzerland to Australia. Troy's remarkable sound can be heard working with ECMA recognized performers such as his sister Kenda, Dave Gunning, and Glenn Graham.

Troy has spent the last several years working with his sister Kendra, sharing his talent for performing and arranging both on the stage and in the studio. Troy's brilliant accompaniment and musical arrangement provide a foundation for two of Kendra's CDs including her latest recording, Over The Waves, which earned her two ECMAs in 2002 (Female Artist and Instrumental Artist of the Year).

The past year has been a busy one for Troy with the release of his second CD, Boomerang. This follows the 2001 release of his first CD Musical Ties which received an East Coast Music nomination for Instrumental Artist/Group of the Year. Musical Ties marks the beginning of a transition for Troy from the shadows of accompaniment wizardry, into the spotlight as one of the East Coast's most pleasing young performers. The Music Industry Association of Nova Scotia has also recognized Troy with a nomination for Folk/Traditional Artist of the Year.

Tickets are $16.00 and are available from the Harrison Festival office at (604)796-3664 (mc/visa), the Agassiz Pharmasave and the Valle School of Beauty (9222 Young, Chwk). Check www.harrisonfestival.com  for information on Harrison Festival Society events.

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When Troy MacGillivray writes his tunes, he hears the tunes of his Celtic roots in his mind. The fiddler and pianist from Lanark, Antigonish Co., doesn't usually have his instruments on hand when he writes his music. Instead, he composes tunes when he's just hanging out, like he did on a recent flight in January to Scotland, where he penned five new tunes.

"I write when I'm just bored or hanging out ­ I hear the music in my head and I just write them down," MacGillivray explained. "I know how to write music, and if I hear a tune in my head, I know what the notes would be and I can write them down. That's how I usually go about it, but it is kind of interesting though, not even to use your instrument. They usually turn out OK, but some of them are a little iffy and I have to change them a little bit."

MacGillivray, 23, hails from the same clan that produced older sister Kendra, an accomplished Celtic fiddler, while his maternal grandfather recorded his fiddle music back in the 1930s. 

"I just realized the other day that there hasn't been a day in my life that I haven't heard a fiddle tune or the piano that I can remember," he said. "Kendra started playing when she was eight or nine, and she's eight years older than me. So I've been around it forever."

He took up the fiddle himself at the tender age of 10, and played the piano for a few years before that. Little did he know when he first put bow to strings that he was setting off down a path that would eventually lead to several recordings and a cross-country tour.

"I didn't know what I was starting," MacGillivray said with a chuckle. "I knew I really loved it. I played piano before the fiddle, so I would chord for my sister or play along with recordings in the house. I knew all the tunes in my head and I knew how the melodies went, so it just seemed natural to start playing them for myself. But I really like playing the fiddle and I love the piano, too, I could never choose between them."

MacGillivray will be taking his talent across Canada in the coming weeks with one of the most extensive tours ever attempted by an independent artist.

The tour ­ which will feature stops in every province and include a performance at the St. Francis Xavier University auditorium on May 7 ­ will help promote his second solo CD Boomerang, which was released in mid-2003.

"It's pretty exciting," he said. "It's going to be a lot of work and it's going to be hard, but I'm expecting to have some fun, too. I've never done a solo tour before so I'm really happy to be doing it. I've gotten great response from all of the promoters, they all wanted to be involved and put on shows."

Although he has no concrete plans for recording his third album, he hopes to return to the studio early in 2005.

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March 2004
ECMA Wrap Up: Behind the Scenes at the Awards Show
By Mary Martin - Celtic Heritage Magazine (Vol. 17 No. 7)

TROY MacGILLIVRAY began impressing audiences with his step-dancing at age six, and by age 13 he was teaching piano at the the Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and  Crafts in cape Breton.  he continueds the rich musical traditions of his family and has had much success with his latest recording Boomerang.

According to MacGillivray, "It was great to be part of ECMA 2004. There was so much music happening, like at the 72 hour jam, but the highlights for me were the two Showecases in which I had the opportunity to perform.  One, an acoustic showcase in the Roots Room that featured folk, bluegrass, country, vocal and instrumental music; and the second where I performed with my sister Kendra, which featured 'electrified' Roots music where the flavour is distinctively traditional - distinctively East Coast.  Also I performed on the Awards Show with Havanafax.  The short time frame to rehearse caused me a bit of stress but the number we did, which was a fusion of Afro-Cuban and Celtic music, was a huge success."

"In addition, it provided an opportunity to meet other artists and industry people some of whom I hadn't seen in four or five years.  The contacts made at events like ECMA 2004 offer opportunities for performances at other festivals and concerts."

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December 18th, 2003
Troy MacGillivray emerges from shadow with Boomerang
Dan MacDonald - Cape Breton Post

If you have the chance, get your hands on Troy MacGillivray’s newest recording, 'Boomerang'. Troy has performed in the shadow of his sister Kendra for the past number of years but after listening to his new CD I can safely say that this will soon change.

Troy is a wicked fiddler and an amazing pianist, his jazz training adding creative new sounds to the music. He makes use of some skilled arrangements to showcase both his fiddle and piano talents to the best advantage. While he plays both instruments, (often backing himself up), he is certainly not alone as there are appearances by Dave MacIsaac, Dave Gunning and Curly Boy Stubbs on guitar as well as Cheryl Smith on snare drum.

There isn’t a bad cut on the CD and there are certainly lots of highlights. Troy does an incredible piano version of ‘The Tweedside Lassies’ (an old Scottish slow air) and ‘MacLaughlin’s Scotch Measure’ (the march that opens the forth cut). The one that really gets me going is the twists and turns of the seventh cut that starts with ‘George I. Taylor Strathspey’.

All in all 'Boomerang' is a great CD, well thought out, well performed and produced and certainly something for Troy to be proud of. This CD is easily one of the best to come out of the East Coast this year.

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December 10, 2003
East Coast Music Award Nomination!

Nominations were announced today for the 2004 East Coast Music Awards to be held in St. John's, Newfoundland February 12-15. Troy received a nomination for "Instrumental Recording Of The Year" for his latest release "Boomerang". For a complete list of nominees, please visit www.ecma.ca 

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I'm writing this set of reviews in the kitchen of our house near the town of Antigonish, Nova Scotia. It's a small predominantly Scottish community where the MacDonalds have been neighbours with the same family of MacNeils for the last 150 years. My brother refers to several of the MacNeils, as "our uncle's one farm removed". The house I'm in sits on property that has been in my family for six generations. It's just after 8pm and out of the kitchen window I'm watching my cousin Jimmy and his son Lauchlin taking in the last of the hay.

Jimmy's father Hugh A. MacDonald (Hughie #11) was also a farmer and one of the areas most respected fiddlers who entertained at house parties and dances into the 1970s. On the heels of Hugh A's recent induction into the Nova Scotia Country Music Hall of Fame it seems appropriate to begin this set of reviews with his grandson Troy MacGillivray's recently released second CD entitled Boomerang.

MacGillivray has been a well kept secret in the Antigonish area for a number of years and his name only really began trickling out onto the tongues of Celtic music lovers with the release of his first recording. His second recording clearly illustrates why fiddle music fans I've spoken to in Boston, Inverness County, New Waterford and Antigonish have been unanimous in their praise of the young musician.

The recording opens with the tune Sabra and Iain's Wedding Day, a lovely clog composed by Troy and his sister Kendra in honour of the recent wedding of their sister. The set ends with a lovely blast of reels on the fiddle buoyed by Troy's own nimble piano accompaniment. Most of the tracks feature MacGillivray accompanying himself thanks to the marvels of the recording studio. Besides MacGillivray on piano and fiddle it's guitar players Dave MacIsaac, Curly Boy Stubbs (aka Paul Mills) and Dave Gunning along with Cheryl Smith on snare drum rounding out the list of guest musicians.

Switching to piano for the recordings second track MacGillivray clearly illustrates his command of the instrument by gracefully ploughing through two traditional strathspeys followed by three reels composed by William Gow, Captain Fraser and J. Murdoch Henderson. Just when you think things can't get much better he rips through a lovely set of Dan R. MacDonald jigs on the piano. It's on this track that MacGillivray clearly illustrates his deep understanding of the tradition by choosing Dan R. compositions tailor-made for the piano. Once he hits stride during Donald Angus Beaton's Jig, the second tune in the three tune set, you'll fully understand what I mean when I say Troy MacGillivray brought his A game. 

He follows things up with a march, strathspey and reel set then a medley of traditional hornpipes played with a whole lot of swing. MacGillivray then pulls out one of the most beautiful renditions of a slow air that I've ever heard played on the piano. The piano is well suited to playing slow airs and in the hands of someone of MacGillivray's talents the J. Murdoch Henderson composed Tweedside Lasses is simply brilliant. Mixed and mastered by Paul Mills, whose talent as producer and performer grace many Stan Rogers recordings, the sound quality is impeccable. Minimalist in nature, the recordings arrangements and nominal use of studio effects allows MacGillivray's musical prowess on fiddle and piano to truly shine.

When you bill yourself as fiddler, pianist and producer you leave little room to manoeuvre if criticism comes your way. After listening to Boomerang it's not likely that any criticism will come MacGillivray's way as this is a dandy recording of traditional fiddle and piano.

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East Coast Musicians Kendra and Troy MacGillivary are coming to Eastern Ontario. The Fresh-Air Association will be holding a fundraising project to recognize their appreciation for two fiddlers' families who have served their community well, with oil portraits of Bev MacQueen and Donald MacLeod playing piano and fiddle together. The Cornwall concert will take place at Blessed Sacrament Hall, Tollgate Road.

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Showcases were announced this week at the Majestic Theatre in St John's, NL for the 2004 East Coat Music Awards.  Among the list of showcase winners was Troy MacGillivray!  Troy was chosen to perform a showcase on the "Acoustic Roots Traditional Stage". For a complete list of showcase winners, please visit www.ecma.ca 

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October 12, 2003
Celtic fireball opens colourful festival: MacMaster, piper Nunez headline Centre 200 concert
By Stephen Cooke - Halifax Herald

Sydney - After seven years you'd think the Celtic Colours gala opening concert at Sydney's Centre 200 would get to be old hat, or rather old tam o'shanter, but the 2003 installment on Friday was a real topper with some of the best variety, sound and presentation of any of them.

Certainly the 3,000 music lovers in attendance would be hard-pressed to disagree, if three separate standing ovations are anything to go by.

According to the concert lineup, the Cape Breton festival's definition of Celtic includes island fiddling (natch), Scottish balladry, instrumental guitar, an Irish ensemble, Newfoundland shanties and Spanish bagpipes.

Opening honours belonged to Lt. Governor Myra Freeman who praised visitors, musicians and sponsors for helping to make the festival possible before handing the mic over to the evening's hosts, CBC's Ian MacNeil, showing more leg in his kilt than co-host Laurel Munroe in her long, shimmering red number.

Their enthusiastic "Ciad mille failte" was amplified by the massed violins of the Cape Breton Fiddlers' Association, celebrating 30 years of preserving the island's most famous tradition.

As for the stage, ringed with trees and shrouded in smoke, it resembled Birnam Wood from Shakespeare's Macbeth, which suited Scottish singer and artist-in-residence Mairi MacInnes to a tee.

A native of South Uist, MacInnes's textured lilt floated like wind through the barley on the a capella I Am a Gael, a song about maintaining your cultural identity no matter where you roam.

Fellow artist-in-residence, guitarist Dave MacIsaac, joined MacInnes on stage, tearing off a set of tunes with the help of bagpiper Matt MacIsaac, pianist Troy MacGillivray and dancers Sabra MacGillivray and Kelly MacArthur whose lithe fling provided a graceful contrast to the bluesy inflections MacIsaac slipped into his six-string manipulation.

Irish quintet Lunasa lit up the stage with breakneck playing and precision timing, as the uillean pipes, tin whistle and fiddle got their kick from syncopated guitar chords and the deep groove of a stand-up bass.

While a typical set of Irish tunes called Good Morning Nightcap highlighted Lunasa's bright spirit, its versatility shone through on a set of Galician tunes from northwest Spain, full of sunlight and warmth as it found earthy joy in the strange-yet-familiar melodies.

The second half kicked off with a bang thanks to Natalie MacMaster and her five-piece band.

Having recently celebrated the first anniversary of her marriage to fellow fiddler Donnell Leahy and about to enjoy the launch of the new bluegrass-themed CD Blueprint on Nov. 5, the Troy musician had plenty to smile about as she struck a jaunty pose with her hips and drove 'er with effortless abandon.

"I was just flipping through the book," said MacMaster of her first glance at the Celtic Colours program guide. "It looks just wicked!"

Expressing her eagerness to reunite with members of her family - both musical and blood-related - MacMaster took pains in her set to highlight the skills of her bandmates, including piper MacIsaac who dueted in perfect unison, and former guitarist Chris Corrigan, filling in for Brad Davidge whose wife happened to be giving birth in Halifax.

It's no surprise the Celtic fireball earned herself a standing ovation.

The rich, lusty voices of Newfoundland's A Crowd of Bold Sharemen provided a respite for the changeover from MacMaster's setup to that of the final headliner, Carlos Nunez, and their tales of bold crews and mercenary pirates were a refreshing blast.

Rich with the history of the island and the perils of working at sea, both ancient and modern, the vocal quintet's two songs served as a tasty appetizer for its appearances later in the week.

Wishing the audience a hearty "Buenos noches!" Galician piper Carlos Nunez proceeded to blow away the Celtic Colours for the second time in two years, this time with a full band that included fiddle and bouzouki, along with brother Xurxo on drums.

Taking his ensemble through a blur of changing time signatures, Nunez went through an arsenal of instruments including flute, whistle and bagpipes, his fingers dancing on the holes like Fred Astaire doing the beguine.

Dedicating the tune Don't Trust a Man's Love to the late Chieftains harpist Derek Bell (whose passing occured during last year's festival), Nunez played a passionate fandango, while his tale of learning pieces from a 100-year-old Cuban piper was followed by a spicy rhumba that lived up to the story.

Finally, there was a Galician hoedown during which the ebullient Spaniard turned his band into a high-stepping chorus line and a bagpipe finale with a blistering drive that was practically punk rock in its intensity.

Nunez acted as pied piper for the grand finale, conducting a huge ensemble that was practically spilling off the stage, from the Technicolor-clad Fitzgerald Irish Dancers to square dance caller Burton MacIntyre, who even managed to get Lt. Gov Freeman up on her feet and whirling around.

After hours at the Festival Club in St. Ann's, the Gaelic College's Hall of the Clans wasn't as densely packed as it will get later in the week, but it was only the first night and people are likely pacing themselves.

The music was certainly of the highest standard, with fiddle guru Brenda Stubbert leading an ensemble that included fetching Newfoundland fiddler Lisa MacArthur, guitarist Doug Johnson and pianist Melissa Emmons, while born fiddler Andrea Beaton (daughter of Kinnon and Betty Lou) kept it going until after 3 am. with pianist Troy MacGillivray and drummer Cheryl Smith.

All in all, a roaringly successful first day for Celtic Colours 2003 and a good omen as the shows spread out to widespread communities across Cape Breton.

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Troy has been nominated for the 'Folk/Traditional Artist of The Year' award by the Music Industry Association of Nova Scotia (MIANS). The award ceremony will take place Sunday, October 5th, 2003 at Saint Antonio Hall in Halifax. For more information and to vote (MIANS members only), please visit www.mians.ca 

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Pictou was the landing site for the first wave of Scottish settlers to Nova Scotia and the festival celebrates the region's Celtic music and heritage and the accomplishments of the early pioneers.

Kicking off the mainstage entertainment on Wednesday is ECMA-winning fiddler Kendra MacGillivray with special guests the Scotia Highland Dancers. Antigonish native MacGillivray will be accompanied on piano by her brother Troy.

John Allan Cameron, the godfather of Celtic Music, plays Thursday, Celtic harpists Ardyth and Jennifer with a surprise musical guest play on Friday and Scotland's Alexander Brothers, Tom and Jack, who have performed annually at the festival since it started in 1987, play Saturday.

On Sunday, it's the Hector Ceilidh, a musical extravaganza hosted by Celtic singer Jimmy Sweeney and featuring singers, musicians, fiddlers, dancers, and pipebands. Among the performers at this closing concert are singers John Macdonald and Ann Holton, fiddlers Fleur Mainville, Kate MacInnes and Neil Cameron, musician Ross MacVicar, dancers Kelsey MacKenzie, Becky Stalker and Jannah MacIntyre and Pictou's award-winning Heatherbell Girls Pipes and Drums.

Concerts begin at 8 p.m. nightly and tickets are $18.50, $17.50 for seniors and $9.50 for students. Anyone named Hector receives free admission to the mainstage shows.

Free outdoor concerts featuring singers, dancers, pipers and fiddlers from across Nova Scotia will be held each afternoon between 1 and 5 p.m. on the lawns of the deCoste Centre.

The Celtic Corner, in the auditorium of the deCoste Centre, features workshops and demonstrations at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Wednesday to Friday.

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Award-winning Celtic fiddler Kendra MacGillivray and her piano-playing brother, Troy, are sharing some of their musical secrets.

The MacGillivrays are holding a fiddle and piano workshop at the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts, 6199 Chebucto Rd., Halifax, on Saturday, May 17, at 3 p.m.

Fiddlers will learn a few new tunes, while pianists will learn the accompanying chords - then all will team up to try them out. Participants should have some experience playing, and have at least a basic knowledge of reading music.

cost for the workshop is $50. Call the conservatory at 423-6995 to reserve a spot.

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SeaSide Folk opens its 7th season on Saturday, April 19th, at 8 PM, with the lively combination of Dave Gunning and Troy MacGillivray. The show will take place at SeaSide's new premises, the Italy Cross Fire Hall.

This is Dave Gunning's first appearance on the SeaSide stage. He is a Pictou County pub warrior who, over two albums - "Lost Tracks" and "Caught in the Shadows" - has turned himself into an effective balladeer and powerful songwriter. His lyrical style has evolved from the Celtic-tinged songster point-of-view into a much more penetrating stance. He has a warm, ernest voice, that propels each selection with a disarming directness. 

His highly developed narrative sense shines through in every song. His latest album is stitched together with poetic insight and a strong sense of drama, which proves his reach has gone beyond the confines of simple Celtic sing-alongs. His punchy acoustic arrangements and relatively austere performing style are striking and evocative.

Troy MacGillivray makes his second appearance at SeaSide, having accompanied Patricia Murray onstage last summer. He is an incredibly accomplished piano player and fiddler, in the Cape Breton style, and nearly stole the show away from Murray. He began impressing audiences with his step dancing at age 6, and soon decided to master the the piano and fiddle. By age thirteen, he was teaching piano at the world renowned Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts, in Cape Breton. It is his unique approach to piano accompaniment however, for which Troy is most recognized and highly sought after by instrumentalists and vocalists alike. 

The release of his debut CD, "Musical Ties" marked the beginning of a transition for Troy, from the shadows of accompnaiment wizardry into the spotlight as one of the East Coast's most pleasing young performers. The album is a blend of traditional and original melodies played with enormous skill and enthusiasm on the fiddle and piano.

Dave and Troy will be performing at SeaSide Folk's new performance space, the Italy Cross Fire Hall, on Highway 103, west of Bridgewater, on Saturday, April 19th, at 8 PM. 

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ECMA gospel nominees will perform in churches as part of the Soundwaves program, which runs Feb. 4 to 13. Details are still being worked out. It is a great warm-up for the ECMAs, Feb. 13 to 16 in Halifax, says Chapman.

"What we're doing is celebrating the present and preparing for the future of East Coast music."

Musical genres range from blues artists Scott Parsons of Halifax, McCallum Settlement's Charlie A'Court and New Brunswick's Hot Toddy to traditional pianist Troy MacGillivray of Antigonish, Acadian group Blou of Baie Ste. Marie, Halifax alternative rockers Shyne Factory, Madhat and the Jimmy Swift Band to red-hot DJ Buck 65 and pop artists Rick Gunn and Rebeka Reed, and Jonathan M of Halifax.

"They represent a cross-section of the types of music you hear on the East Coast," says Chapman, MusicStop vice-president and a director of the Canadian Conservatory of Music. "Most are nominated for an ECMA this year or are past winners.

"We want to inspire as many kids as we can, whether they want to be drummers, bass players, keyboard players or DJs. There are no one-man shows."

Shows will be 45 minutes to an hour and depending on the musicians' schedules (some have three shows per day) there will be an opportunity for students to meet the performers.

Soundwaves shows are slated for the Metro area (Hammonds Plains, Lower Sackville, Spryfield, Fall River, Dartmouth, North Preston, Whites Lake, Lakeside, Halifax and Tantallon) and in Yarmouth County, Antigonish

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Word of an East Coast Music Award nomination was music to Troy MacGillivray's ears. "It's Awesome. I was excited when I heard of course." He says, noting he had actually forgotten the nominations were coming out that particular day.

"I got an email saying I was nominated and so I was caught off guard. It was great"

The Lanark, Antigonish County musician, received an ECMA nomination, earlier this month in the "Instrumental Artist/Group Of The Year" category. He says the nomination, the first for the accomplished pianist and fiddler, has great significance.

"It means a lot to me because it basically means you are ranked in the top seven for 2002 in a category" he explains. "It's great to get that type of recognition".

The 22 year old comes from a rich musical tradition. The MacGillivray and MacDonald families have been longtime leaders in the maintenance of the Gaelic traditions. he says his family tradition and support has meant a lot to his career. 

"There's tons of music on both sides of my family.  My Grandfather was Hugh A MacDonald, he recorded way back in the 30's, and of course there are my sisters Kendra and Sabra."

The accolade continues a MacGillivray family tradition. Kendra named the ECMA in the same category last year. She was also named Female Artist Of The Year. 

During his time at St FX University, MacGillivray juggled an academic life with a hectic professional schedule of performing, writing and teaching. Since graduating in May 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a Major in Music, he has continued on his musical career path.

"I am a full time musician now and things are going great".

With sensational skills on both the fiddle and piano, MacGillivray is renowned for both instruments. He says he has no preference for either instrument. 

"I really love them both" he says "Sometimes you go through phases where you play one more than the other, but basically they are both equal."

MacGillivray has accompanied many well known East Coast artists including Patricia Murray, Dave Gunning and Glenn Graham and of course he also performs regularly with his sisters. In 2001, MacGillivray expanded his resume with hsi own debut CD entitled Musical Ties. The independent release boasts a mix of modern and original pieces, along with hundred-year-old melodies played on both piano and fiddle. It also features a bevy of Strathspeys, Jigs and Reels that are complimented by breathtaking Gaelic Airs. His parents and sisters, along with household names such as John Allan Cameron and Tracey Dares join him on the recording.

In his category, the budding artist is up against some stiff competition including JP Cormier, Natalie MacMaster and Slainte Mhath. 

"It's some great competition. Totally" he says "It's just an honour to be nominated with performers of that calibre"

MacGillivray will attend the awards ceremony in Halifax, but will not have much time to think about the nomination leading up to the awards ceremony, he and Kendra will be busy performing at the ECMA association launch party at the World Trade and Convention Centre.

"We are also playing on Valentines Day at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium with the Nova Scotia Symphony" he adds.

MacGillivray also will accompany Patricia Murray and Dave Gunning as part of their ECMA Showcases. "It's going to be busy, but it's certainly going to be a lot of fun" he concludes.

The ECMA awards Ceremony is set for February 18th. It will be broadcast across Canada both on radio and television. The host for this year's event is Newfoundland comedian Rick Mercer.

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Troy has been nominated for an East Coast Music Award for 'Instrumental Artist/Group of The Year'. Other nominees in this category are: Natalie MacMaster, Slainte Mhath, JP Cormier, Mairi Rankin, Roy Johnstone and Dominique Dupuis. Troy's webmaster Cheryl Smith of OutFront Productions also received a nomination for 'Graphic Designer Of The Year'.  The ECMA awards will be held in Halifax from February 13-16, 2003. For a complete list of nominees in all categories, please visit www.ecma.ca

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Witnessing some of the incredible pick-up bands that came out of the musicians' backstage interactions. On one night, the club closed down with an unbroken 40-minute blast featuring local fiddlers Troy MacGillivray, Andrea Beaton and Joe Peter MacLean, plus Sheumas MacNeil on piano, John Ferguson on guitar, Cheryl Smith on drums and Daniel Lapp on trumpet. So vigorous was the music, a few dozen members of the crowd couldn't resist a ragged but tireless square set that continued 'til nearly 4 a.m.

Watching Kendra MacGillivray, Troy MacGillivray and Dave MacIsaac toss a lengthy stream of melodies around while Sabra MacGillivray showed off her dancing excellence. Sabra's not only one of the finest massage therapists I've yet encountered, but wow -- when her feet start flying, you know you've advanced to another level. (Sabra is virtually inexhaustible and has steps so fresh, I think she must be inventing them on the spot. Later that evening, she confided that she sometimes is.) Meanwhile, Kendra continued to drive the music forward with unparalleled energy, closing out the set by jumping to her feet and joining her sister in the dance.

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The lively sounds of the fiddle will fill the air at Bradley Centre in Coombs this Wednesday. That's when Nova Scotia musician Troy MacGillivray will perform on fiddle and piano, accompanied by Ryan MacDonald on cottish small pipes.

Now 22, MacGillivray began impressing audiences with his step dancing at age six and soon decided to master the piano and fiddle. By the time he was 13, he was teaching piano at the renowned Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts in St. Ann's, Cape Breton.

MacGillivray soon developed into a capable piano and fiddle soloist.

It is his unique approach to piano accompaniment, however, for which MacGillivray is most recognized and highly sought after for by instrumentalists and vocalists alike.

As an accompanist, MacGillivray has had the opportunity to delight audiences across Canada and the United States, and overseas from Switzerland to Australia.

MacGillivray's remarkable sound can be heard working with ECMA recognized performers such as his sister Kendra MacGillivray, Patricia Murray, Dave Gunning, and Glenn Graham.

He released his own album, Musical Ties, last year, a compilation of jigs, reels and strathspeys in contemporary and traditional styles.

MacGillivray is bringing his up-beat talent to Coombs Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 7:30 p.m. at Bradley Centre.

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East Coast piano and fiddle phenom Troy MacGillivray and piper Ryan MacDonald bring their gaggle of Gaelic tunes to Vimy Hall Tuesday.

Nova Scotian MacGillivray began step dancing on stage at age six then began piano and fiddle studies. By age 13 he was teaching piano at the Gaelic College of Celtic Arts & Crafts in Cape Breton.

That's where he began developing his unique style of piano accompaniment that's delighted global audiences. In 2001, MacGillivray issued his first CD Musical Ties. The independent platter salutes his musical wizardry with original tunes and 200-year-old melodies played on piano and fiddle.

His sets of strathspeys, jigs, and reels are joined by two Gaelic airs.

In May 2002, MacGillivray earned his Bachelor of Music degree from St. Francis Xavier University.

Scottish small piping pal MacDonald hails from Cape Breton and now lives in B.C. He won supreme honours in Grades 1 to 4 piping in Nova Scotia. In 1995 he landed the Silver-Medal Piobaireachd Challenge and firsts in Scotland's Glenfinnan and Glenisle events.

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They come from opposite ends of Canada, and they recognize distinct differences in their fiddle backgrounds because of it, but Ivonne Hernandez and Troy MacGillivray also have much in common.

Hernandez is B.C. born while MacGillivray comes from Nova Scotia. The two met in Saskatoon a few years ago when MacGillivray was teaching a fiddle camp. "We both got picked up from the airport together and our bags were both lost," recalls Hernandez. "We've kept in touch and try to play together whenever we get to see each other. It is funny because we have the same circle of friends across Canada," she says.

Hernandez has just returned home from an East Coast tour and is ready to show off her skills locally. She is not only formidable on the fiddle, but plays piano and step dances as well. And MacGillivray shares her talent in all these skills.

When they perform together the two mix up their talents with one accompanying on the piano for the other and at least one of them will put out a few step dance manoeuvers.

But as much as the two have in common, their backgrounds have also made them different musicians.

"There is a big difference stylistically between the music on the East Coast and West Coast. But I love both," says MacGillivray.

"They do a lot more cuts which is a technical term in fiddling when you play a couple of notes really fast," says Hernandez. "They also do more extra trills and bowing on the East Coast."

Hernandez incorporates more than just British Columbian influence into her original music. "In my personal background my father is Chilean and my mother is Canadian. So I grew up listening to music from Latin and South America, and jazz, other fiddle, classical, and pop."

She uses each of these influences as they come to her and it is not uncommon for Hernandez to jot a tune that pops into her head down on a napkin while it is a work in progress.

MacGillivray on the other hand tends to be inspired to compose with little bits of a tune. He then works out the whole on his instrument. But his influence tends toward traditional songs from the East.

Although Troy started teaching piano when he was 13 at the Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts in St. Ann's, Cape Breton, now at 22 he has little time for educating. "I like teaching, I've always enjoyed helping other people learn new tunes. But I don't get to do much of that anymore. Luckily I also love performing," he says.

MacGillivray lives in Antigonish, N.S. and he plans to stay there as long as he can. He admits he may have to move to the big city of Halifax, considering the amount of travel he takes on, usually touring with his sister. But the longer he can stay amidst his roots the happier he'll be. And he's found people all over the world who appreciate a good fiddle reel.

"It really is strong everywhere. Everyone seems to love it. I know I enjoy the drive of it," he says.

"It is happy music," says Hernandez.

Troy MacGillivray has a series of performances and teaching dates while he is in Greater Victoria. Tonight he will play with Hernandez at the Pacific Fleet Club. On Nov. 16 the two will play at St. John's Heritage Church.

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Troy is part of the Canadian contingent traveling to San Jose, California this weekend. The tour is called "The Canadian Storm" and takes place in Villa Montalvo at the Carriage House Theatre. Troy will be performing with his sisters Kendra and Sabra MacGillivay and also Celtic guitarist, Dave MacIsaac. They will begin Saturday evening with a one hour show followed by a one hour show with the Ennis Sisters. Other performers on the tour include Lenny Gallant, Glenn Graham, Mary Jane Lamond, and Vishten. All performers are 2002 ECMA winners or nominees.

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January 21, 2001:   'The Trolly' chosen as new Mainstreet theme

Kendra MacGillivray's "Over the Waves" opening cut, "The Trolly", a composition of Troy's, has been selected to be the theme music for the next year on CBC Mainstreet in PEI.

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