building intercultural understanding, partnerships and mutual respect

The BU Indigenous NMF will include concerts, lectures, talks and workshops.

Pro Series BU Indigenous NMF concerts

Tuesday, February 11 @ 7:30 p.m. in the Lorne Watson Recital Hall

Wednesday, February 12 @ 7:30 p.m. in the Lorne Watson Recital Hall

Concerts will feature Cris Derksen, a two-spirit Juno Award-nominated Cree cellist and composer, and Melody McKiver, Anishinaabe musician, violist, media artist, grass dancer and arts educator; The Brandon University New Music Ensemble (BUNME) directed by Megumi Masaki, with guests including the Brandon University Chorale directed by Andree Dagenais and flutist Nancy Hennen and cellist Laura Jacyna, will perform Indigenous compositions by Cris Derksen that “braids the traditional with the contemporary,” Metis and French Canadian composer Ian Cusson that “explores the Canadian Aboriginal experience, including the history of the Metis people, the hybridity of mixed-racial identity, and the intersection of Western and Indigenous cultures” and Anishinaabe pianist, teacher and composer Beverly McKiver who has composed new works for BUNME and BU’s Indigenous big drums.

• Cris Derksen: a two-spirit Juno Award-nominated Cree cellist and composer: http://crisderksen.virb.com/bio
• Melody McKiver: Anishinaabe musician, violist, media artist, grass dancer, and arts educator: http://www.melodymckiver.com/about/
• Ian Cusson: Metis and French Canadian composer: https://www.iancusson.com/bio
• Beverley McKiver: Anishinaabe pianist, teacher and composer: https://beverleymckiver.com/

The Brandon University New Music Ensemble (BUNME), under the direction of Professor Megumi Masaki, is dedicated to the research and performance of diverse, interdisciplinary, cutting edge works of living composers and artists that engage with cultural and global issues. Main goals of BUNME are to work closely with composers, both professional and students, on the performance of works and on the creation of new works composed or arranged specifically for them. Another important aspect of BUNME is to explore creative contemporary performance practices with new technologies. Under the curation of Professor Megumi Masaki, the annual Brandon University New Music Festival includes public presentations, workshops, community events and concerts, to explore how cultural, political and environmental issues can intersect with new music.