NACO Tour - Part 1

The National Arts Centre Orchestra (NACO) was founded in Ottawa, Ontario, in 1969, to coincide with the opening of the National Arts Centre (NAC).  Since then, NACO has been the resident orchestra of Canada's capital and has toured all over the world.  Since 1999, Pinchas Zukerman has served as the orchestra's Musical Director. 

            

As stated on its website, NACO "has long played a national role with performances, teaching, and partnerships across Canada".  For the 2012-2013 Season, the orchestra embarked on a Performance & Education Tour of Canada's northern territories (Yukon, Northwest, & Nunavut), from October 26 to November 4. Specifically, the orchestra visited the three territorial capitals: Iqaluit, Nunavut; Yellowknife, Northwest Territories; and Whitehorse, Yukon.  In total, around 50 educational workshops were organized and around 20 performances took place.  The workshops focused on "cultural exchanges and learning through dialogue."

             

Due to travelling & shipping expenses, NACO was sending a 'skeleton crew' of musicians: 4 first violins, 4 second violins, 3 violas, 2 cellos, 1 double bass, 1 clarinet, 1 bassoon, 1 trumpet, 1 horn, 1 trombone, and 1 percussionist.    

            

The orchestra was led by guest conductor, Arild Remmereit, who  just began as Music Director of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.  Remmereit was born in Norway and studied conducting in Vienna.  He also studied with famed 20th century American composer & conductor Leonard Bernstein between 1987 & 1990.

            

Also travelling with NACO were: James Ehnes, Alexina Louie, Akinisie Sivuarapik, and Evie Mark.  James Ehnes is a Canadian concert violinist who began his violin studies at the young age of four.  Since then, he has performed in over 30 countries and has been honoured with numerous awards, including 6 Junos, a Grammy, and a Gramophone Award.  In 2010, he was made a member of the Order of Canada.  For this trip, he would be performing on his 300 year-old Stradivarius.

           

Alexina Louie is a well known Canadian composer of Chinese descent who has written many pieces for orchestra, piano, and films since 1972.  For the tour, she composed Take the Dog Sled, a seven-part orchestral & throat singing piece that explores life in the North from an Inuit perspective.  As well, NACO had hired her to run several workshops on writing music for orchestras & films.

               

Akinisie Sivuarapik, and Evie Mark are both Inuit throat singers who have showcased their talents all over the world.  They would perform throat songs of their own and provide the vocals for Take the Dog Sled.  Akinisie is from Puvirnituq, and Evie is from Ivujivik.  These villages are located in a semi-autonomous area of northern Quebec called Nunavik, meaning 'place to live'.

            

It wouldn't be a successful tour without the presence of the media and NACO did everything it its power to make sure that the entire excursion would be accurately documented and presented.  The National Arts Centre's own media team as well as a reporter with the Ottawa Citizen newspaper also came along for the trip. 

            

Before the arrival of NACO on October 26, I was in frequent contact with NACO planners who were putting together the tour schedule.  My music room would be used for several workshops and the orchestra needed to borrow music stands and a conductor's podium for the main concert on the 27th.  "No problem," I replied.

            

The first workshop I attended was a one-hour teleconference (audio & video) event between the Iqaluit Fiddle Club and Ottawa's OrKidstra Program on Saturday, October 27.  The teleconference was happening in my music room so I decided to attend as an observer.  Both clubs focus on stringed instruments and teaching young children (ages 9 - 14).  The Iqaluit Fiddle Club is led by Darlene Nuqingaq.  Members of OrKidstra, led by Roberta Caroline, would communicate with the Iqaluit Fiddle Club from the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. 

            

The program of the teleconference included: learning names; performing Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy' as a group; learning how to throat sing; and sharing stories of life in the North & how important music plays in the lives of young minds.  Despite a one & a half second delay in the transmission, the teleconference was a success.  Each member of the Iqaluit Fiddle Club received a free OrKidstra t-shirt.            

            

The main event of the Iqaluit leg of the tour was the evening concert at Nakasuk Middle School, that also took place on the 27th.  Tickets were free but attendants were encouraged to donate to the Qaggiavuut Society.  The group comprises of Nunavut artists (mostly based in Iqaluit) who are advocating and pushing for the building of a performing arts centre in Iqaluit.  I guess having the sold out concert in a middle school gym made the case even stronger.

            

I took a seat at the back of the gym and gazed at the small stage that was filled to the brim with chairs and the musical stands from my classroom.  The perimeter was occupied by TV cameras, and refreshment & gift stands.  As the seating area continued fill with people, I noticed several of my students in attendance with their families.  The concert began with a lighting ceremony and a vocal piece by Sylvia Cloutier & Madeleine Allakariallak.  This was followed by NACO performing three movements from Edvard Grieg's Holberg Suite, Op. 40.

            

Before Intermission, Simeonie Keenainak, a retired RCMP officer turned accordionist, took to the stage and played two pieces with the orchestra: Avaala (Song for the Seal) & Aqsarniit (Northern Lights)  I'm not sure what it is about accordion music, but it has a serious 'grip' on the Inuit.  The second Keenainak (a musical icon in the North) started playing, everyone was clapping along and tapping their feet.  Looking around the gym, I even spotted several people dancing.  Keenainak had to play an encore.

            

After Intermission, Alexina Louie was introduced to the audience and invited to explain about her experiences writing Take the Dog Sled.  Louie explained that the most difficult part of the writing process was incorporating Inuit throat singing because there is no established form of notation.  Despite this, the piece was well received by the audience and she received an extended applause.

            

The evening ended with a classic: Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, Op. 8.  With James Ehnes playing the solo violin parts, NACO performed the Spring & Winter concertos.  After the last note was played, James & the orchestra received a standing ovation from the crowd.          

            

While walking home in the cold winter evening, I hoped the Qaggiavuut Society would succeed in persuading the right people to build a performing arts centre in Nunavut's capital.

To Be Continued . . .