Acclarion tours the Northwest Territories with George Zuckerman.

April 25-May 5, 2012

In the Fall of 2011, we were honoured by an invitation from world-renown bassoonist, George Zuckerman, to tour communities in the Northwest Territories and bring a unique educational and entertainment event to well over a thousand students and community members in larger centres such as Yellowknife, Hay River, and Fort Smith, as well as to tiny places such as Kakisa and Enterprise.  George is an 85 year old (yes, you're reading that right!) musician that has given a voice to the bassoon as a solo instrument outside of the orchestra setting in which it is typically found.  Since the early 1950s, he has embarked on dozens of tours of remote northern communities in the NWT, Nunavut, and the Yukon, bringing with him a passion to introduce classical music to children whose opportunities for such exposure are far more limited than those that reside in "the South."  For his tireless efforts, he has been awarded the Order of Canada and the Order of British Columbia as well as having left an indelible footprint on those lives he has touched throughout the North.

For those of you that have followed our adventures, you know that we have always sought the path less taken and have embraced opportunities which others may shy away from.  As you will read in our upcoming blog, traveling in the north with expensive, large and heavy instruments is not without its challenges.  Teaming up on the fly, so to speak, with one of Canada's most distinguished musicians and planning meaningful and entertaining musical experiences for unique audiences in the north was a challenge that we met with ear to ear grins.  This was truly an amazing adventure...one that we will carry with us for the rest of our lives.  We're looking forward to continuing the pioneering work that George Zuckerman began 60 plus years ago.  

This tour would not have been possible without the financial support, planning, and organization of Ben Nind and all the hard-working and passionate people at the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre in Yellowknife.

Enjoy some photos from the tour below and check back soon for a blog on everything that went down in the NWT!

Musically yours,
Becky and David Carovillano