THE MEN OF THE DEEPS

The Men of the Deeps is a choir of working and retired coal miners from the island of Cape Breton in Nova Scotia, Canada. Organized in 1966 as part of Cape Breton’s contribution to Canada’s Centennial Year (1967), the group’s inception was an effort by the people of Cape Breton to preserve in song some of the rich folklore of that island’s coal mining communities.

The musical director of the Men of the Deeps is John C. O’Donnell, Professor of Music at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. For most of the choir’s 43 year history, Professor O’Donnell has been travelling almost weekly to Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, where he rehearses the singing miners: a round trip distance of 485 kilometres. In 1983 the government of Canada honoured Professor O’Donnell’s efforts when he was awarded the prestigious Order of Canada. More recently the University College of Cape Breton recognized his efforts when the degree Doctor of Letters was conferred upon him at its May 1993 Convocation.

The events held at the Brockville Arts Centre are subject to all provincial and public health guidelines in place at the time of the scheduled performance.