Cam Fuller, The StarPhoenix
Published: Thursday, April 10, 2008
John Arcand has a weekend coming up that's going to be as fast and furious as any jig. On Friday he'll be in Ottawa receiving the Order of Canada. He returns home the same day in time for a concert Sunday at Castle Theatre.
Arcand says he's "quite emotional and quite honoured" at the award.
"I guess I'm being blessed."
Known as the Master of the Metis Fiddle, Arcand grew up in the Big River area. He started playing at the age of six, coached by his father and grandfather. By promoting Metis culture, composing some 300 original tunes and recording 14 albums, Arcand has kept a musical tradition alive to the point where it's now thriving.
"For awhile up around our way I was the only guy who kept playing. Most of my generation were involved in something altogether different," he says.
Arcand, who now lives on a Saskatoon-area acreage, has been teaching fiddle for more than 20 years. He currently has about 15 students ranging in age from seven to 35, but he's also taught seniors. He's an expert on the fiddle as a collector, luthier and appraiser. His hand-crafted instruments are highly valued.
On Friday, he'll be one of 43 recipients in the 102nd investiture, along with former Saskatchewan lieutenant governor Lynda Haverstock. Created in 1967, the Order of Canada is regarded as the country's highest civilian award. It was created to recognize a lifetime of achievement, dedication to community and service to the nation.
Arcand says he'll be "not so much nervous as emotional" at the ceremony at Rideau Hall.
"I have a great deal of trouble with that kind of thing."
He'll be in his comfort zone on Sunday, though. The concert features fiddle veterans Arcand and longtime friend Calvin Vollrath along with up-and-comers Cris Villebrun Tootoosis and James Steele. The concert is meant to highlight the next generation of fiddlers. It will also blend fiddle styles, Metis and old-time.
As always with fiddle music, it will be high-energy.
"There's not too much negativity around fiddle music. It's more like foot-stomping and cheering," Arcand says.
The concert is a fundraiser for the John Arcand Fiddle Fest Raise the Roof Campaign. Organizers want to raise $300,000 to build a permanent roof structure at the site of the annual festival, which is growing rapidly every year.
Another fundraiser is the Big Bear Fiddle raffle. Interest in the hand-crafted instrument is so great that tickets are being purchased from all over North America, and a museum in Arizona has expressed an interest in buying the Big Bear. Tickets are $20. The draw will be made on Aug. 10. Call Vicki at (306) 382-0111 for raffle tickets.
Tickets for Sunday afternoon's concert at Castle Theatre cost $20 in advance or $24 at the door, available at Long and McQuade, McNally Robinson or call 382-0111. Doors open at 12:30 p.m., show at 1:30 p.m.
cfuller@sp.canwest.com
FROM THE GOVERNOR GENERAL'S WEBSITE:
"John Arcand is a master of traditional Metis fiddling and a musical ambassador for his culture. He has also been a driving force behind the preservation of unrecorded Metis tunes. He has applied his skills as a performer and educator to promoting and popularizing this unique musical heritage. Through endeavours such as the John Arcand Fiddle Fest, and as a representative of Western Canada at the Fiddles of the World Conference, he has inspired other fiddlers to embrace this art form and has helped to bring it to light for both Canada and the world." http://www.johnarcand.com/quotes.html The Governor General's website: http://www.gg.ca/media/doc.asp?lang=e&DocID=5335
Published: Thursday, April 10, 2008
John Arcand has a weekend coming up that's going to be as fast and furious as any jig. On Friday he'll be in Ottawa receiving the Order of Canada. He returns home the same day in time for a concert Sunday at Castle Theatre.
Arcand says he's "quite emotional and quite honoured" at the award.
"I guess I'm being blessed."
Known as the Master of the Metis Fiddle, Arcand grew up in the Big River area. He started playing at the age of six, coached by his father and grandfather. By promoting Metis culture, composing some 300 original tunes and recording 14 albums, Arcand has kept a musical tradition alive to the point where it's now thriving.
"For awhile up around our way I was the only guy who kept playing. Most of my generation were involved in something altogether different," he says.
Arcand, who now lives on a Saskatoon-area acreage, has been teaching fiddle for more than 20 years. He currently has about 15 students ranging in age from seven to 35, but he's also taught seniors. He's an expert on the fiddle as a collector, luthier and appraiser. His hand-crafted instruments are highly valued.
On Friday, he'll be one of 43 recipients in the 102nd investiture, along with former Saskatchewan lieutenant governor Lynda Haverstock. Created in 1967, the Order of Canada is regarded as the country's highest civilian award. It was created to recognize a lifetime of achievement, dedication to community and service to the nation.
Arcand says he'll be "not so much nervous as emotional" at the ceremony at Rideau Hall.
"I have a great deal of trouble with that kind of thing."
He'll be in his comfort zone on Sunday, though. The concert features fiddle veterans Arcand and longtime friend Calvin Vollrath along with up-and-comers Cris Villebrun Tootoosis and James Steele. The concert is meant to highlight the next generation of fiddlers. It will also blend fiddle styles, Metis and old-time.
As always with fiddle music, it will be high-energy.
"There's not too much negativity around fiddle music. It's more like foot-stomping and cheering," Arcand says.
The concert is a fundraiser for the John Arcand Fiddle Fest Raise the Roof Campaign. Organizers want to raise $300,000 to build a permanent roof structure at the site of the annual festival, which is growing rapidly every year.
Another fundraiser is the Big Bear Fiddle raffle. Interest in the hand-crafted instrument is so great that tickets are being purchased from all over North America, and a museum in Arizona has expressed an interest in buying the Big Bear. Tickets are $20. The draw will be made on Aug. 10. Call Vicki at (306) 382-0111 for raffle tickets.
Tickets for Sunday afternoon's concert at Castle Theatre cost $20 in advance or $24 at the door, available at Long and McQuade, McNally Robinson or call 382-0111. Doors open at 12:30 p.m., show at 1:30 p.m.
cfuller@sp.canwest.com
FROM THE GOVERNOR GENERAL'S WEBSITE:
"John Arcand is a master of traditional Metis fiddling and a musical ambassador for his culture. He has also been a driving force behind the preservation of unrecorded Metis tunes. He has applied his skills as a performer and educator to promoting and popularizing this unique musical heritage. Through endeavours such as the John Arcand Fiddle Fest, and as a representative of Western Canada at the Fiddles of the World Conference, he has inspired other fiddlers to embrace this art form and has helped to bring it to light for both Canada and the world." http://www.johnarcand.com/quotes.html The Governor General's website: http://www.gg.ca/media/doc.asp?lang=e&DocID=5335
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