In a Canadian Press report posted Sunday on the CBC website, Bob Weber writes, “The National Arts Centre Orchestra doesn’t play its first actual concert in Iqaluit until later this month, but artists from the Ottawa-based institution have been making sweet music with the Arctic capital for years. The 30-member ensemble will bring Grieg and Vivaldi to the territory later this month as part of a tour that also includes Yellowknife and Whitehorse. But just as important are its collaborations with Inuit artists and its ongoing efforts to encourage local music-making. ‘They’ve been really good partners in saying, ‘Well, tell us what you need and we’ll try to support that,’’ said Darlene Nuqingaq, a music teacher in the Iqaluit school system. ‘The sustained building of skills is really exceptional.’ The orchestra has been working with teachers, students and musicians in Nunavut since 2009. … The orchestra’s concert in Iqaluit will be a fundraiser for a group hoping to build a performing arts centre in Iqaluit. Orchestra management is helping that group organize its plans. … The orchestra’s Oct. 27 performance in Iqaluit will feature western classical music and include violin soloist James Ehnes. But it will also offer work by Canadian composer Alexina Louie that features two throat singers and a collaboration with legendary Inuit button accordionist Simeonie Keenainak.”
Posted October 10, 2012
