About
Peter is a multi-talented Canadian musician and award-winning composer hailing from the vibrant music scene of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. With a Bachelor of Music in Composition from Dalhousie University, Peter is not just a musician. He’s a versatile artist who blends his classical training with a deep passion for folk and singer-songwriter genres. Peter’s musical repertoire knows no bounds. Whether he’s strumming his guitar, playing the trumpet, or composing a beautiful melody, his talent is both diverse and captivating. His ability to seamlessly transition from one musical style to another is a testament to his versatility and dedication.
Peter spends his weekends playing through the bars and restaurants of Nova Scotia, sharing his love for a multitude of different genres. Among the many places he plays are iconic Halifax locations such as The Old Triangle, The Stubborn Goat, Maxwell’s Plum, The Loose Cannon and more!
Peter has composed scores for musicals, had choral pieces performed by the Toronto Children's Opera, and won recognition in the Nova Scotia Choral Federation's Young Composer's Competition. His passion for film scoring remains unabated, and he continues to captivate audiences with his performances on the Halifax waterfront.
When he’s not on stage or in the studio, you'll find Peter exploring the great outdoors, hiking, climbing, and camping. Even in the wilderness, he serenades friends around the campfire, proving that music is an integral part of his life, no matter where he goes.
Listen
Singer songwriter
Follow Peter on Youtube and Instagram to listen to his original and cover songs.
Peter has sung and played guitar since the age of nine and has been hooked since. He was inspired early on by musician Dallas Green of the band City and Colour, whose soaring voice, beautiful melodies, and complicated stories resonated with him. Growing up, he was also surrounded by the music of The Beatles, Queen, Elton John, and folk artists such as James Taylor and Bob Dylan. Peter currently takes influence from artists such as The Lumineers, Fleet Foxes, and Jacob Collier. He most enjoys performing folk/alternative music and combines all these musical influences into his songwriting. Keep an eye out for new original music from Peter!
Oliver James - Fleet Foxes
Cover Me Up - Jason Isbell
Nowhere With You - Joel Plaskett
Piano Man - Billy Joel
Shows
Maxwell’s Plum/ Halifax
March 1 | 10:00-1:00 am
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Coldstream Clear Distillery/ Dartmouth
March 8 | 2:00-5:00 pm
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Maxwell’s Plum/ Halifax
March 8 | 10:00-1:00 am
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Propeller tap room/ bedford
March 9 | 7:00-9:00 pm
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The Old Triangle Alehouse/ Halifax
March 12 | 8:00-11:00 pm
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Maxwell’s Plum/ Halifax
March 14 | 9:30-12:30 am
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Gahan House/ Halifax
March 19 | 7:00-9:00 pm
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Maxwell’s Plum/ Halifax
March 21 | 9:30-12:30 am
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Maxwell’s Plum/ Halifax
March 22 | 10:00-1:00 am
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Celtic Corner/ Dartmouth
April 3 | 8:00-11:00 pm
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Maxwell’s Plum/ Halifax
April 4 | 9:30-12:30 am
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Yip Cider/ Long Reach, NB
April 5 | 2:00-4:00 pm
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Foghorn Brewing/ Rothesay, NB
April 5 | 6:00-8:00 pm
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Long Bay Brewery/ Rothesay, NB
April 6 | 3:00-5:00 pm
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Sea Level Brewing/ Canning
April 11 | 7:00-9:00 pm
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Coldstream Clear Distillery/ Dartmouth
April 12 | 2:00-5:00 pm
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Maxwell’s Plum/ Halifax
April 12| 10:00-1:00 am
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The Old Triangle Alehouse/ Halifax
April 13 | 8:00-11:00 pm
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Gahan House/ Halifax
April 16 | 7:00-9:00 pm
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Maxwell’s Plum/ Halifax
April 18| 9:30-12:30 am
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The loose Cannon/ Halifax
April 19 | 10:00-1:00 am
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Gahan House/ Halifax
April 24 | 7:00-9:00 pm
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Maxwell’s Plum/ Halifax
April 26| 10:00-1:00 am
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Coldstream Clear Distillery/ Dartmouth
May 3 | 2:00-5:00 pm
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Maxwell’s Plum/ Halifax
May 3| 10:00-1:00 am
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The Old Triangle Alehouse/ Halifax
May 6 | 8:00-11:00 pm
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Maxwell’s Plum/ Halifax
May 9| 9:30-12:30 am
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Private Event/ Wedding
May 10 | 4:00-7:00 pm
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The Old Triangle Alehouse/ Halifax
May 17 | 5:00-8:00 pm
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Maxwell’s Plum/ Halifax
May 17| 10:00-1:00 am
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Maxwell’s Plum/ Halifax
May 23| 9:30-12:30 am
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Maxwell’s Plum/ Halifax
May 31| 10:00-1:00 am
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Coldstream Clear Distillery/ Dartmouth
June 7 | 2:00-5:00 pm
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The Old Triangle Alehouse/ Halifax
June 26 | 8:00-11:00 pm
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Coldstream Clear Distillery/ Dartmouth
July 5 | 2:00-5:00 pm
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The Old Triangle Alehouse/ Halifax
July 13 | 8:00-11:00 pm
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Spitfire Arms Alehouse/ Windsor
July 18 | 7:30-10:30 pm
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Coldstream Clear Distillery/ Dartmouth
August 2 | 2:00-5:00 pm
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The Old Triangle Alehouse/ Halifax
August 7 | 8:00-11:00 pm
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Coldstream Clear Distillery/ Dartmouth
September 6 | 2:00-5:00 pm
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The Old Triangle Alehouse/ Halifax
September 20 | 5:00-8:00 pm
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Coldstream Clear Distillery/ Dartmouth
October 4 | 2:00-5:00 pm
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The Old Triangle Alehouse/ Halifax
October 15 | 8:00-11:00 pm
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Coldstream Clear Distillery/ Dartmouth
November 1 | 2:00-5:00 pm
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The Old Triangle Alehouse/ Halifax
November 21 | 5:00-8:00 pm
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Coldstream Clear Distillery/ Dartmouth
December 6 | 2:00-5:00 pm
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The Old Triangle Alehouse/ Halifax
December 9 | 8:00-11:00 pm
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Original Compositions
Peter had the opportunity to study under Jérôme Blais during his undergraduate program at Dalhousie who ignited his love for classical music. During this time he honed in on his theory skills and the complex intricacies of orchestration.
Peter has been fortunate to have had the opportunity to compose music for Symphony Nova Scotia, the mixed-chamber ensemble Latitude 49, The Nova Scotia Choral Federation and the Canadian Children’s Opera Chorus.
“Everything we listen to today has derived from classical music. Be it pop, rock, jazz, or anything in between; its foundation is rooted in classical music. I love classical music because of its infinite ability of expression. Any feeling or emotion can be emulated through music; orchestral music is my favourite medium for that expression.”
Peter’s musical inspirations in this regard are composers such as Richard Wagner, Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, Richard Strauss, Gustav Holst, Phillip Glass, and film composer John Williams.
Media
in the news
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Mrs. Dayna Ellis and Rothesay Netherwood School alum, Peter Fillman ’16, are the creative talents behind Left To Their Own Devices, a musical written by Mrs. Ellis with an original score composed by Peter. A workshop production of the musical, a modern adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing (Mrs. Ellis’s favourite Shakespearean play), was performed by Senior School Drama students in the Théâtre Susan B. Ganong in June. The show addresses the problems of miscommunication, cyberbullying, and cellphone addiction in teens through comedy. A fully-staged version of the play will be performed at RNS from February 22nd to 24th, 2024 and at the 2024 NB DramaFest next May.
Click here for the story from the Rothesay Netherwood School Alumni Magazine, The Hill.
Learn how this duo teamed up and took an idea from script to stage, in their own words! -
Halifax-based composer Peter Fillman has been selected by the jury as the winner of the Nova Scotia Choral Federation’s 4th Young Composer’s Competition for his composition See How Low the Moon Hangs. In addition, the NSCF is pleased to share that the jury also selected an honourable mention for the competition; Peregrina by composer Cameron Slipp. Both pieces will be premiered by the Nova Scotia Youth Choir, conducted by Christina Murray, as part of the NSYC’s 30th Anniversary Celebration.
