Benoit Aquin
By Taqralik Partridge, photos: Robert Fréchette/Avataq
OSM tour members on the Air Inuit Dash-8.
OSM tour members and Kangiqsujuaq mayor Mary A. Pilurtuut, on the mountaintop overlooking the village. In this photo, left to right : Brian Robinson, Alain Desgagné, Marianne Dugal, Taqralik Partridge, Evie Mark, Paul Merkelo, Kent Nagano, Jacques Lavallée, Mathieu Harel, Alexina Louie, James Box, Mary A. Pilurtuut, Alexis Martin. Missing from this photo : Jobie Weetaluktuk.
After many months of planning, fundraising and rehearsals, the OSM Nunavik Tour finally took place, as scheduled, September 11-15. This tour was part of a series of special events held in honour of the OSM’s 75th anniversary.
The tour group of approximately 30 people included Maestro Kent Nagano; 7 musicians from the OSM; composer Alexina Louie; narrator Jobie Weetaluktuk; throat-singers Evie Mark and Taqralik Partridge; and accompanying staff from both the OSM and Avataq. Noted actor/screenwriter Alexis Martin also participated in the tour as stage-director for the Inuttitut version of Stravinsky’s Soldier’s Tale.
The series of three concerts included performances of works by Mozart; Alexina Louie and Stravinsky. Take the Dogsled was composed by Alexina Louie to incorporate throat-singing and some unusual percussion instruments, including two rocks picked up by percussionist Jacques Lavallee on the tundra. Stravinsky’s Soldier’s Tale was performed with Jobie Weetaluktuk playing the dramatic parts in Inuttitut.
With an ambitious schedule of workshops and evening concerts held in three Nunavik communities, the tour went ahead with no weather delays. Kent Nagano and the OSM musicians were greeted in Inukjuak with a boat trip along the coastal islands and a caribou dinner at the coop hotel.
On Friday, September 12th, students at Innalik school were enthusiastic participants in the afternoon workshops with the OSM musicians. Students had the chance to touch the instruments and to ask questions about how the musicians learned to play.
Maestro Kent Nagano demonstrating how a conductor works with students at Innalik school in Inukjuak, September 12th. Also in this photo: violinist Marianne Dugal, bassoonist Mathieu Harel, trombonist James Box, percussionist Jacques Lavallee.
Students at Innalik school in Inukjuak feel the vibration as violonist Marianne Dugal plays during the afternoon workshop.
Jobie Weetaluktuk narrating Stravinsky's Soldier's Tale in Inuttitut. Also in the photo : Marianne Dugal, Alain Desgagné, Jacques Lavallée.
Kent Nagano cueing throat-singers Evie Mark and Taqralik Partridge during the Inukjuak performance of the piece Take the Dogsled by Alexina Louie, September 12th.
The September 12th concert in Inukjuak was not only the first performance for OSM musicians in Nunavik, but also the world premiere of composer Alexina Louie’s piece Take the Dogsled; a new work commissioned by the OSM for the Nunavik Tour.
The Innalik school gymnasium was packed on opening night, where mayor Johnny Naktialuk welcomed the OSM with a speech full of emotion and Inukjuammiut treated the musicians to a standing ovation.
With less than 24 hours in Kangiqsujuaq, the musicians had the chance to take a short helicopter ride to the mountaintop overlooking the village. Maestro Nagano and Avataq president Charlie Arngak took a Honda (ATV) ride outside the village. Workshops were held at the community centre, where young throat-singers from Kangiqsujuaq did a demonstration for the OSM visitors. At the evening concert, Mayor Mary A. Pilurtuut presented the tour members with gifts.
Evie Mark conducting a workshop in Kangiqsujuaq.
Maestro Kent Nagano cueing musicians at the Kangiqsujuaq concert, September 13th.
The final concert in Kuujjuaq was held at the Kattitavik Town Hall, which was less intimate than the concerts had been in the other communities, but with no less enthusiatic of a crowd. After the finale, Kuujjuaq mayor Larry Watt was on hand to make special presentations to Kent Nagano and the OSM.
Kent Nagano waves to the crowd at the concert finale in Kuujjuaq, Septembre 14th, 2008. Also in this photo : Alain Desgagné, Mathieu Harel, James Box et Paul Merkelo.
The OSM Nunavik Tour was an amazing new experience for all participants, including the musicians who had never been to Nunavik, and those of us who have many years of experience in the north. The concerts were well received by our Nunavik audience and the OSM musicians remarked many times on the hospitality of Nunavimmiut.
Both Avataq and the OSM worked hard to bring this tour to Nunavik as a gift to Nunavimmiut; in hopes that it would have a positive impact on our communities. Avataq would like to thank our sponsors and Nunavimmiut for their indispensable support. The tour will be followed up with performances in Montreal and Los Angeles (US) in the spring of 2009.
