Members of the St. F.X. Musical Coast Society met with Deputy Premier Allan MacMaster and Inverness Warden Bonny MacIsaac. From left: Allan MacMaster, Oscar Dewing, Ben MacKay, Lauren MacDonnell, Julia Butlin, and Bonny MacIsaac.
January 10, 2024
-by April MacDonald
A society that has never existed before the beginning of this school year at St. F.X. is creating a community for Inverness County students, but also for those who are enthusiast for the music that comes from this area.
The St. F.X. Musical Coast Society is the brainchild of Ben MacKay, a young man who when he puts his mind to something, the sky truly is the limit.
He has quite the team who back him up as well, such as Lauren MacDonnell, Alexandra Beaton, Rowan Kennedy, Keisha Gillis, and Julia Butlin.
MacKay wanted to put Inverness County artists on the map, but he also wanted to create a home-away-from-home for those who are from Inverness County and attend St. F.X. University.
Speaking with MacKay in an interview last Friday, he said that over the past number of months they have been laying the groundwork from what they accomplished first semester.
“We really wanted to create a community for Inverness County and for those who love the music that comes from this area,” said MacKay.
“The focal point is our Inverness County artists,” he added.
He said, for instance, when the band Beech Hill played in Antigonish, a society-wide email was sent out to all members letting them know that the band was playing in town.
Asking MacKay about the membership, he said that there are about 50 members but that the number is not hard or fixed and some are more casual and some are more committed.
The St. F.X. Musical Coast Society also has their eye on the future.
“Succession planning is a focus,” said MacKay.
They have external advisor Julia Butlin and internal advisor Rowan Kennedy to aid in that plan.
“We have three members of our executive that are graduating this year, so making sure that the society has a firm foundation is top of mind,” said MacKay.
“We will continue our efforts to firm our foundation in order to be able to hand-off the society to the next generation,” he added.
“We like to promote the county to younger generations,” he added.
MacKay said that parents have also been approaching the society asking questions and wanting their county kids to join. He said that the society is also there for kids who might be missing the comforts of home, their community, and their family.
The society also wants to make St. F.X. students aware that staying in Inverness County post grad to live and work is an opportunity that should be taken seriously.
In terms of promoting the society, MacKay said that the Student Union at St. F.X. organizes one or two events every semester to promote various groups.
The society is sponsored by the Municipality of the County of Inverness.
Members of the St. F.X. Musical Coast Society recently had the chance to attend an event with Inverness’s MLA, and Nova Scotia’s Finance Minister and Deputy Premier Allan MacMaster.
“We were also happy to have Inverness’s Warden Bonny MacIsaac and CAO Keith MacDonald join us. The society is very grateful to all involved, especially the Xavierian PCs, for a very informative evening,” said MacKay.
The society is planning a field trip to various locations in the county, once the nicer weather comes around.
