National Arts Centre Orchestra’s Northern Tour reaches 6,000 people in Nunavut, Yukon, North West Territories -- NAC’s “Year of the North” continues with Northern Scene in the spring of 2013
OTTAWA—The National Arts Centre Orchestra’s first-ever Northern Canada Performance and Education Tour has been a great success reaching more than 6,000 community members, including students and elders, in three cities in Nunavut, Yukon and the North West Territories through six concerts and 50 educational activities over 10 days.
The NAC Orchestra Northern Tour, which began on October 26 in Iqaluit, was the first of two major artistic projects of the National Arts Centre’s “Year of the North”. The focus now shifts to the spring of 2013, when the NAC will invite Northern artists back to Ottawa for a major festival featuring 250 of the best established and emerging artists.
The NAC Orchestra Tour began on October 26 and wrapped-up on November 4. During that time NAC musicians performed in Iqaluit, Pangnirtung, Rankin Inlet, Yellowknife and Whitehorse along with some of the North’s best known musicians and singers. GE Canada was the Presenting Partner of the NAC Orchestra’s Northern Canada Performance and Education Tour.
The Tour concert combined some of Canada’s best southern artists, such as Grammy and JUNO award winning Canadian violinist James Ehnes and Norwegian-born conductor Arild Remmereit, as well as outstanding Northern Canadian musicians and singers such as throat singers Evie Mark and Akinisie Sivuarapik, Sylvia Cloutier, Madeleine Allakariallak, and renowned accordionist Simeonie Keenainak.
“It was inspiring to see our National Arts Centre musicians on stage with Arild Remmereit, James Ehnes and a group of celebrated Northern artists,” said NAC President and CEO Peter Herrndorf. “We could see North and South fusing before our very eyes. This truly is what nation-building through the arts looks like.”
The Orchestra’s Tour built on the wonderful relationship the NAC’s Music Education Department has established over the past three years through The Music Alive Program: Nunavut. NAC teaching musicians have worked with local educators, musicians, elders and community leaders to support local music-making, arts, culture and language through school music programs and education initiatives. The NAC’s Music Alive Program: Nunavut is supported by the Government of Nunavut’s Department of Education, RBC Foundation and Travel Partner First Air.
NORTHERN SCENE
Over the weekend, the National Arts Centre announced the first programming details of Northern Scene, the sixth in a series of national Scene festivals that showcases the finest established and emerging artists in the country.
Northern Scene will be the largest gathering of artists from Canada’s North ever held outside the region. The festival will celebrate the work of 250 artists from Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Nunavik, and Nunatsiavut in 50 events taking place over 10 days. From April 25 to May 4, 2013, it will feature music, theatre, dance, visual and media arts, film, storytelling, fashion and food in venues throughout the national capital.
Northern Scene is a rare opportunity to discover the myriad and often surprising cultural riches of the north. The Presenting Partner of Northern Scene is TransCanada Corporation.
“Northern Scene shines a spotlight on a region of Canada that few Canadians know,” said festival Producer and Executive Director, Heather Moore. “I am excited to introduce audiences to the diverse artistic landscape of the north. I know we will shake up some stereotypes as we celebrate new voices and honour northern tradition.”
Ms. Moore announced about 30 percent of Northern Scene’s full programming on Friday in Whitehorse. The balance of the lineup will be announced at a media launch to take place in Ottawa in February 2013.
For more information about Northern Scene and to sign up to receive programming updates and the Northern Scene newsletter, please visit www.northernscene.ca
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For more information:
Rosemary Thompson |
Laura Denker |