Scotia Festival of Music pays tribute to late founder with festival program

Tributes are planned for the late founder of the Scotia Festival of Music on Monday evening.

Chris Wilcox founded the Scotia Festival of Music in 1980 to bring classical musicians, directors and orchestras to the people of Halifax.

The festival this year will serve as an in memoriam for Wilcox who died in October 2023 after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2015.

Current artistic director Simon Docking told CityNews in an interview that he chose the program with Wilcox in mind.

“Either outwardly or just almost subconsciously, the way I’ve programmed this festival, there’s a tribute to Chris, a little Easter egg in most concerts in one way or another,” Docking said.

He said the festival will host a free concert on the afternoon of June 2 as a tribute to Wilcox.

“Chris died last October and we immediately decided to make this whole festival in Chris’s memory, with this particular concert being a celebration of his life and legacy,” he said.

This year’s festival will also feature Halifax artists such as composer John Plant and cellist India Gailey.

For more information on this year’s festival, people can check out its website.