Orchestral Powwow braids Indigenous beat with symphonic sounds – CBC

May 29, 2023

Symphony New Brunswick, Chippewa Travellers perform Cris Derksen piece

A powwow drum will soon lead the Symphony New Brunswick, braiding together their sounds as part of Cris Derksen’s vision of an Orchestral Powwow.

“I’m a strong supporter of us telling our own stories so this is the way for me to tell our story, to include actual Indigenous performers in classical music, ” said Derksen, who is Cree from North Tallcree First Nation, about 500 kilometres north of Edmonton.

Derksen will tour Orchestral Powwow with Symphony New Brunswick in Moncton, Saint John and Fredericton this week.

At the centre of the show is powwow group Chippewa Travellers with six of their singers. Its drum will largely lead the symphony orchestra, instead of the conductor.

Read More: https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/orchestral-powwow-new-brunswick-symphony-1.6856178