Today, November 2, Symphony Nova Scotia, the CBC and the Children’s Chorus of Nova Scotia celebrate the CBC’s 75th anniversary by presenting a brand new recording of O Canada to every school in Nova Scotia. Schools all across the province will be able to use the recording for the morning anthem and at special events.

In April, CBC recorded five versions of O Canada with Symphony Nova Scotia and the Children’s Chorus of Nova Scotia (organized by the Nova Scotia Choral Federation) at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium in the Dalhousie Arts Centre in Halifax. The entire symphony was joined by 105 youth from children’s choirs from all over Nova Scotia. They recorded bilingual, English, French, a capella choir and solo orchestra versions of the anthem.

Speaking about the project, Andrew Cochran, Managing Director for CBC in the Maritimes said, “this is the one song that tells everyone how proud we are to live in Canada and to be Canadians. We’re grateful to Symphony Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Choral Federation for being such splendid partners, and making it possible to give our national anthem to every school in Nova Scotia.”

The idea for the recording came from a conversation between Brian James, chair of the Symphony Nova Scotia Players’ Association, and his wife Michelle, a music teacher for the Halifax Regional School Board. “We thought that the students in Nova Scotia schools ought to have the opportunity to hear beautiful and inspired renditions of our national anthem performed by musicians right here in Nova Scotia,” said James.

“The playing of the national anthem is a central part of the school day,” said Education Minister Ramona Jennex. “I want to thank the CBC, Symphony Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Choral Federation for this marvelous gift of music to our students.”

All involved in this recording agreed to donate their time, skills, talents, equipment and facilities to make this happen.