In October 2002, The Caledonian Orchestra welcomed Nelson Ferguson as the new Music Director. Nelson's energy, enthusiasm and experience has added a new dimension to the group as we strive to sound like a real Scottish Orchestra.
Nelson Ferguson
ARCST (1st. hons), B.Sc. (1st. hons.), M.A.Sc., FCSME, FEIC, FCSSE, P. Eng.
Nelson's career has led him through a wide variety of involvements that range from an apprenticeship in the marine industry to being a university professor in the field of mechanical engineering and naval architecture. He has filled many professional leadership roles including being Vice President Administration of The Technical University of Nova Scotia, President of the Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering, President of the Engineering Institute of Canada and President of the Canadian Society for Senior Engineers.
Nelson's musical journey began when he was very young, playing for dances in Pictou County, Nova Scotia. He formally studied the violin at the Halifax Conservatory of Music and subsequently with several well-known violin teachers. A student variety show at his university led him to be part of a faculty act and that resulted in him playing tenor banjo in that well-known Dixieland jazz band, The Dixietech Seven. For 15 years that group performed in throughout the Atlantic Provinces, toured Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto and made guest
appearances on several national television shows.
During a temporary stay in Glasgow, Scotland, Nelson joined and subsequently became a Life Member of the Glasgow Caledonian Orchestra. He has played in several fiddle orchestras in Scotland and he makes no secret of his love of Celtic music and the sound of a traditional Scottish fiddle orchestra. As arranger and Musical Director of the Caledonian Orchestra, he takes great pride in the sound of the Caledonian Scottish Fiddle Orchestra and he firmly believes that playing music and having fun must go together. He is happy to pass along his enthusiasm for the traditional Scottish sound and is very welcoming to musicians who are interested in exploring this genre with the orchestra. Nelson's other musical involvements include playing in the Celtic Fair trio, the Cranston Trio, and the Halifax Baroque Ensemble.
ARCST (1st. hons), B.Sc. (1st. hons.), M.A.Sc., FCSME, FEIC, FCSSE, P. Eng.
Nelson's career has led him through a wide variety of involvements that range from an apprenticeship in the marine industry to being a university professor in the field of mechanical engineering and naval architecture. He has filled many professional leadership roles including being Vice President Administration of The Technical University of Nova Scotia, President of the Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering, President of the Engineering Institute of Canada and President of the Canadian Society for Senior Engineers.Nelson's musical journey began when he was very young, playing for dances in Pictou County, Nova Scotia. He formally studied the violin at the Halifax Conservatory of Music and subsequently with several well-known violin teachers. A student variety show at his university led him to be part of a faculty act and that resulted in him playing tenor banjo in that well-known Dixieland jazz band, The Dixietech Seven. For 15 years that group performed in throughout the Atlantic Provinces, toured Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto and made guest
appearances on several national television shows.During a temporary stay in Glasgow, Scotland, Nelson joined and subsequently became a Life Member of the Glasgow Caledonian Orchestra. He has played in several fiddle orchestras in Scotland and he makes no secret of his love of Celtic music and the sound of a traditional Scottish fiddle orchestra. As arranger and Musical Director of the Caledonian Orchestra, he takes great pride in the sound of the Caledonian Scottish Fiddle Orchestra and he firmly believes that playing music and having fun must go together. He is happy to pass along his enthusiasm for the traditional Scottish sound and is very welcoming to musicians who are interested in exploring this genre with the orchestra. Nelson's other musical involvements include playing in the Celtic Fair trio, the Cranston Trio, and the Halifax Baroque Ensemble.