John Arcand

{{Short description|Canadian Métis fiddler}} {{Infobox person | name = John Arcand | image = | landscape =  | alt = | caption = | birth_name = Jean-Baptiste Arcand | native_name = | native_name_lang = | alias = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1942|07|19}} | birth_place = Debden, Saskatchewan, Canada | death_date =  | death_place = | occupation = Musician | years_active =  | website = http://www.johnarcand.com/ | awards = Order of Canada, Molson Prize }}

'''Jean Baptiste "John" Arcand''', {{Post-nominals|country=CAN|CM}} (born July 19, 1942, in Jackson Lake, Saskatchewan) is a Canadian fiddler, composer, teacher, and luthier. Arcand has been composing and performing since childhood, having learned the traditional Métis tunes from his father Victor and his grandfather Jean-Baptiste. John Arcand has said, "I knew from childhood I would be a fiddler." "I love the constant challenge because you cannot ever master the fiddle."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ammsa.com/publications/saskatchewan-sage/john-arcand-plays-music-preserve-culture|title=John Arcand plays music to preserve culture {{!}} Windspeaker - AMMSA|website=www.ammsa.com|language=en|access-date=2018-03-02}}</ref> He is known for the impeccable sense of timing in his music, a skill that is necessary when guiding dancers.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://thestarphoenix.com/life/bridges/bridges-cover-john-arcand-saskatchewans-master-of-the-metis-fiddle|title=Bridges cover: John Arcand, Saskatchewan's master of the Metis fiddle|date=2018-03-09|work=Saskatoon StarPhoenix|access-date=2018-03-09|language=en-US}}</ref>

Arcand has been recognized by the Métis community for ensuring that this important tradition survives.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://indspire.ca/laureate/john-arcand-2/|title=Indspire {{!}} John Arcand|website=indspire.ca|date=20 November 2014 |access-date=2018-03-02}}</ref> Along with a busy performing schedule, John Arcand is active as a guest artist and judge at fiddle contests, is in demand as an instructor at many fiddle camps and with private students, and is also a fiddlemaker and fiddle repairman.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aboriginalmusicweek.ca/artist-directory/complete-directory/display,artist/47/john-arcand|title=John Arcand|website=Aboriginal Music Week|language=en|access-date=2018-03-02|archive-date=2018-03-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180302225402/https://www.aboriginalmusicweek.ca/artist-directory/complete-directory/display,artist/47/john-arcand|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Life == Jean Baptiste Arcand was born to a long line of musicians which can be traced back nine generations. His family roots come from the Métis communities of Red River and Batoche, Saskatchewan. Mr. Arcand was one of 14 children born to parents Victor Arcand and Emma Loyie of Debden, Saskatchewan.<ref>John Arcand-Saskatchewan Fiddler and Composer December 2004 Vol.2 Issue 3 Page 1</ref> He grew up in an environment with dancing and fiddle music, starting to play fiddle at age six.<ref name="ReferenceA">John Arcand-Saskatchewan Fiddler and Composer The Canadian Fiddler-December 2004 Vol.2 Issue 3 Page 1</ref> While neither John's father or grandfather composed music, they played traditional Métis tunes such as jigs and reels for dancing. By the age of 12, John was playing for dances in people's homes or at school.<ref name=":0" /> During that time, John remembers, "My first fiddle was too long for me, and it only had two strings on it!"<ref name="ReferenceA"/> John became active as well playing for jiggers, square dancers, round dancers and dance groups.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Much of John's childhood was spent working on his family's farm, chopping wood and milking cows. He began working in logging camps at 16, which helped to pay for his first fiddle.<ref name=":1" />

== Career == Arcand began his involvement with fiddle contests in 1970, winning the championship class at "Back to Batoche Days" in 1971. He also participated at the Prince Albert Winter Festival fiddle contest and the Western Canadian Amateur Fiddle Championship in Swift Current, Saskatchewan.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Arcand has also been a founding member of many Saskatchewan fiddle organizations and dance groups, such as the Deep Lake Stompers (Big River/Debden, Saskatchewan in 1988), the Parkland Fiddlers Association (December 1989-January 2007), and the Saskatchewan Fiddle Committee, a program committee of the Saskatchewan Cultural Exchange Society (October 1990).<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Arcand worked as a project coordinator at the Gabriel Dumont Institute in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in the late 1990s and early 2000s. During that time, he planned and facilitated a collaboration of well-known and respected Metis fiddle players from across Western Canada to gather and preserve their traditional fiddle repertoire. This led to the 2002 anthology called ''Drops of Brandy and other Traditional Métis Tunes''. This is a four CD set containing over 150 fiddle tunes performed by 12 master Metis fiddlers including Gilbert Anderson, Trent Bruner (pianist), Richard Callihoo, Henry Gardipy, Emile Lavallee, Albert 'Hap' Boyer, Garry Lapine, John Arcand, Mel Bedard, Richard Lafferty, Homer Poitras and Ed Lafferty. An accompanying book was also released, with sheet music for every song in the compilation, as well as biographies of the performers, and a detailed look at the history and cultural importance of Metis fiddling.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ammsa.com/publications/saskatchewan-sage/drops-brandy-project-caps-big-year-gabriel-dumont-institute|title=Drops of Brandy project caps big year for Gabriel Dumont Institute {{!}} Windspeaker - AMMSA|website=www.ammsa.com|language=en|access-date=2018-03-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.metismuseum.ca/resource.php/06597|title=The Virtual Museum of Métis History and Culture|website=www.metismuseum.ca|language=en-US|access-date=2018-03-06}}</ref>

John Arcand has been a mentor to many Canadian fiddlers over a long career. On March 28, 2003, The National Aboriginal Achievement Award for Arts and Culture was presented to Arcand at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. He was recognized for his contributions and his commitment to the preservation of Métis fiddling.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indspire_Awards#2003/|title='2003 National Aboriginal Achievement Awards'}}</ref>{{Circular reference|date=April 2022}}

The Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Association also awarded Arcand with the Lifetime Achievement Award in August 2003 when he appeared as the guest artist at this national fiddle competition.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cgmfa-acgmv.ca/archives/lifetime-achievement-award/|title=Canadian Grand Masters Lifetime Achievement Award|access-date=2021-06-11|archive-date=2021-05-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522195747/http://cgmfa-acgmv.ca/archives/lifetime-achievement-award/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Arcand became the first Canadian Metis fiddler to win this award and the first Saskatchewan fiddler to receive this honour. He also performed at the launch of Canada's first web-based Métis radio station.<ref name="cbc.ca" />

On May 3, 2007, Arcand became a member of the Order of Canada. He was invested as a member to the order on April 11, 2008.<ref name="gazette.gc.ca" /><ref name="gg.ca" />

=== Festivals === John Arcand has recorded many albums including an album of Métis fiddle tunes with Calvin Vollrath. With Vollrath, he established the Emma Lake Fiddle Camp, operated by the Saskatchewan Cultural Exchange Society.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.firstnationsdrum.com/2009/03/musical-traditions-award-winning-metis-fiddler-john-arcand/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113002250/http://www.firstnationsdrum.com/2009/03/musical-traditions-award-winning-metis-fiddler-john-arcand/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=January 13, 2018|title=Musical Traditions: Award Winning Métis Fiddler John Arcand|date=2009-03-24|work=First Nations Drum Newspaper|access-date=2018-03-03|language=en-CA}}</ref> Famous fiddlers Richard Wood and Patti Kusturok Lamoreux were also teachers at Emma Lake.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://hammersonpeters.com/?p=910|title=John Arcand- Master of the Metis Fiddle|author=THE GREAT WHITE NORTH|website=Hammerson Meters|access-date=2018-03-05|archive-date=2018-03-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306025015/http://hammersonpeters.com/?p=910|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The John Arcand Fiddle Fest, held each August on his acreage south of Saskatoon, is attended by fans of fiddle music from around the globe.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tourismsaskatoon.com/listings/John-Arcand-Fiddle-Fest-Inc-/323/?fromMenu=624|title=John Arcand Fiddle Fest Inc. - Saskatoon, SK S7K 0K1|website=www.tourismsaskatoon.com|access-date=2018-03-02|archive-date=2018-03-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303105802/http://www.tourismsaskatoon.com/listings/John-Arcand-Fiddle-Fest-Inc-/323/?fromMenu=624|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.metismuseum.ca/browse/index.php/1065|title=The Virtual Museum of Métis History and Culture|website=www.metismuseum.ca|language=en-US|access-date=2018-03-03}}</ref> In 2017 it had its 20th anniversary.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/3666140/john-arcand-fiddle-festival/|title=20th annual John Arcand Fiddle Fest keeps tradition alive|work=Global News|access-date=2018-03-02|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.albertanativenews.com/fiddlers-and-so-much-more-at-john-arcand-fiddle-fest-august-11-14/|title=Fiddlers and so much more at John Arcand Fiddle Fest: August 11 – 14|date=2016-07-26|work=Alberta Native News|access-date=2018-03-02|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Influences === Arcand's compositions and musical style have been influenced by Andy DeJarlis. The influence on his compositions can be seen in his recording of several DeJarlis's tunes over the years, as well as his inclusion of a DeJarlis fiddle tune class at his Fiddle Fest in 2005, sponsored by the late Gilbert Anderson of Edmonton, Alberta. Many of Arcand's compositions have a similar sound to DeJarlis's tunes in their use of minors and related rhythmic patterns.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Crossing Over: Fiddle and Dance Studies from around the North Atlantic 3|last=Quick|first=Sarah|publisher=The Elphinstone Institute, University of Aberdeen|year=2010|isbn=978-0-9545682-6-9|pages=121|chapter=Two models in the world of Métis fiddling: John Arcand and Andy DeJarlis}}</ref>

== Compositions == Arcand has composed nearly 400 original tunes on his own. Many of these are written for individuals or to honour places he has been.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Master of the Metis Fiddle|last=Burton|first=Wilfred|publisher=Gabriel Dumont Institute Press|year=2017|isbn=978-1-926795-83-6}}</ref> A selected list of tunes by John Arcand includes: * Big Bear * Bill Kalyn's Two Step * The Chicken Reel * Cutknife Hill * Dennis Weber Reel * Don Kurmey's Polka * Emma's Memorial Waltz * Fay MacKenzie Two step * Fiddle Fest Reel * Fort Pitt Reel * Fred Muir's Polka * Gerald White's Memorial Duck Dance * Gerry Dore Reel * Harry Daniels * January Jig * Lionel's Jig * Medric (Mederic) McDougall's First Change * Mel Bedard's First Change * Memories of Emma Lake * Old Bone Trail * Poinsettia Waltz * Reel de Claquette * Sugar Hill Road * Turtle Lake Swing * Victor Rose's Jig * Yvon Dumont * Windy Acres Two Step

== Publications == * The Canadian Fiddler, December 2004, Vol. 2, Number 3

=== Discography === * #17 (2019) * A Tribute to Andy Dejarlis (2011) * Dedications (2009) * Traditionally Yours (2008) * Meeyashin (2007) * Les Michif (2006) * Vicki and Me...and Some of our Favourites (2005) * Thru the Years (2005) * Original and Traditional (2004) * Celebrating Tradition (2003) * Echoes of the Prairie (Recorded 1994 - Re-Released 2002) * Whoa-Ha-Gee (2000) * Sugar Hill Road (1999) * The Tunes of the Red River (1998) * Echoes of the Prairie (1994) * La Celebration '92 (1992) * The Road to Batoche, Centennial '85 (1985)

=== Sheet Music === * Some of my Original Tunes * Drops of Brandy and other Traditional Métis Tunes

=== Books === * Burton, W., Troupe, C., Arcand, J., & Arcand, V. (2017). ''Master of the Métis fiddle: John Arcand, the man, the music, the festival''.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Master of the Métis fiddle: John Arcand, the man, the music, the festival|last1=Burton|first1=Wilfred|last2=Troupe|first2=Cheryl|last3=Arcand|first3=John|last4=Arcand|first4=Vicki|date=2017|publisher=Gabriel Dumont Institute Press |isbn=9781926795836|oclc = 1008880986|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/john-arcand-fiddle-fest-20th-year-book-1.4245822|title=John Arcand Fiddle Fest marks 20th year with book about its founder|work=CBC News|access-date=2018-03-02|language=en}}</ref>

=== Films === * Meeches, L., Arcand, J., Vollrath, C., Howe, D., & Meeches Video Productions, Inc. (2005). ''Crooked music: John Arcand, the master of the Métis fiddle''. Winnipeg, Man.: Meeches Video Productions.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Meeches |first1=Lisa |title=Crooked music: John Arcand, the master of the Métis fiddle |last2=Arcand |first2=John |last3=Vollrath |first3=Calvin |last4=Howe |first4=Doug |last5= |first5= |date=2005 |publisher=Meeches Video Productions Inc |location=Winnipeg, Man. |oclc=607451815}}</ref> * John Arcand and His Métis Fiddle, Métis Fiddlers Series.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gdins.org/product/metis-fiddlers-series/|title=Métis Fiddlers Series {{!}} Gabriel Dumont Institute|website=gdins.org|language=en-US|access-date=2018-03-03}}</ref>

== Awards == * One of twenty seven to represent Western Canada at the Fiddles of the World Conference in Halifax (1999) * The Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Grand Masters for his "Outstanding Contribution to Old Time Fiddling" (2003) * The National Aboriginal Achievement Award for Arts and Culture (2003) * Saskatchewan Lieutenant Governor's Arts Award (2004)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.saskartsboard.ca/menu/awards/saskatchewan-arts-awards/previous-recipients/154-2004-lieutenant-governor-s-arts-awards.html|title=2004 Lieutenant Governor's Arts Awards|website=www.saskartsboard.ca|language=en-gb|access-date=2018-03-03}}</ref> * The Saskatchewan Centennial Medal (2005) * The City of Saskatoon's Cultural Diversity and Race Relations "Living in Harmony" Award (2006) * The Order of Canada (presented by Governor General Michaelle Jean) (2008)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gg.ca/honour.aspx?id=102032&t=13&ln=Arcand|title=The Governor General of Canada|last=General|first=The Office of the Secretary to the Governor|language=en|access-date=2018-03-02}}</ref> * The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.saskartsboard.ca/menu/awards/other-awards/174-queen-s-diamond-jubilee-medal.html|title=Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal|website=www.saskartsboard.ca|language=en-gb|access-date=2018-03-03}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ltgov.sk.ca/news-and-events/news/item/?n=16|title=57 Residents Receive The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal « Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan|website=ltgov.sk.ca|access-date=2018-03-03|archive-date=2018-03-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303225705/http://ltgov.sk.ca/news-and-events/news/item/?n=16|url-status=dead}}</ref> * The Canada Council Molson Prize (2014)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://canadacouncil.ca/-/media/Files/CCA/Funding/Prizes/Laureates/Prizes_Laureates_MolsonPrizes.pdf|title=Cumulative list of winners|website=Molson Prizes, Canada Council for the Arts|access-date=2018-03-02|archive-date=2017-07-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719150606/http://canadacouncil.ca/-/media/Files/CCA/Funding/Prizes/Laureates/Prizes_Laureates_MolsonPrizes.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==See also== {{Portal|Music|Canada}} *Music of Canada *List of Canadian musicians

==References== {{Reflist | colwidth = | refs =

<ref name="cbc.ca">{{cite web | url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/metis-radio-station-launches-online-1.537993 | title=Metis radio station launches online | work=CBC News | date=11 March 2005}}</ref>

<ref name="gazette.gc.ca"> {{cite web | url = http://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2008/2008-02-09/pdf/g1-14206.pdf | title = Vol. 142, No. 6 — February 9, 2008 | author = The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean | author-link = Michaëlle Jean | date = 9 February 2008 | work = Gazette du Canada | publisher = Governor General of Canada. Canada Gazette. Government House | location = Ottawa | page = 4 (254 Canada Gazette) | format = PDF  | access-date = 20 January 2012 }} </ref>

<ref name="gg.ca">{{cite web | url=http://www.gg.ca/honour.aspx?id=11443&t=12&ln=Arcand | title=Jean-Baptiste (John) Arcand, C.M. | publisher=Office of the Secretary to the Governor General | date=3 May 2007 }}</ref>

}}

==External links== * [http://www.johnarcand.com/ John Arcand's Official Homepage] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20080224093044/http://www.sces.ca/fiddlecamp/ Emma Lake Fiddle Camp] * [http://www.johnarcandfiddlefest.com/ John Arcand Fiddle Fest] * [http://www.artsboard.sk.ca/Tribute/tribute_LG_Arcand.htm Saskatchewan Arts Board Tribute to John Arcand] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009043304/http://www.artsboard.sk.ca/Tribute/tribute_LG_Arcand.htm |date=2007-10-09 }} * [http://canadiangrandmasters.ca/index.html Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Championship] * [http://www.metismuseum.ca/browse/index.php/927 John Arcand, The Virtual Museum of Metis History and Culture]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Arcand, John}} Category:1942 births Category:Living people Category:Canadian Métis people Category:Members of the Order of Canada Category:Métis musicians Category:Canadian folk fiddlers Category:Canadian male violinists and fiddlers Category:Musicians from Saskatchewan Category:Indspire Awards for Arts Category:20th-century Canadian violinists and fiddlers Category:21st-century Canadian violinists and fiddlers Category:Canadian male songwriters Category:20th-century Canadian male musicians Category:21st-century Canadian male musicians Category:Canadian country fiddlers

John Arcand

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