Students reflect on Jeremy Dutcher’s intimate campus performance
The 53rd Annual Juno Awards are taking place in Halifax on March 24th, and among the impressive musical talents set to perform is an artist who made a lasting impression with Acadia’s community in November.
The award-winning song carrier, composer, activist, and ethnomusicologist Jeremy Dutcher treated us to an intimate show and Q&A on campus through the Acadia School of Music Concert & Lecture Series this past fall. Jeremy’s visit to Acadia coincided with a tour promoting his latest album, Motewolonuwok. This work explores themes of heritage, identity, community, healing, and connection through Jeremy’s lens as a Two-Spirited Wolastoqiyik member of the Tobique First Nation.
Here’s what Acadia students said about this special opportunity to engage with the Juno Award and Polaris Music Prize winner:
“Jeremy’s music is experimental and spiritual at the same time. He is unapologetically himself when he performs and you don’t see that very often!” said Kyra Foulds, a fifth-year Bachelor of Music Therapy student. “It’s so refreshing. He inspires me to look at music differently and to remind myself how wide of a spectrum music is.”
“The music was unlike anything I've heard live. I am so glad I took the chance and said yes,” said an Acadia political science student. “My favourite part was the song “Johnny Be Gay If You Can Be.” Not only because of the song itself, but because Jeremy took the time in the middle of the song to have a conversation and share his story.”
“Jeremy's welcoming of their ancestors into the space was a special moment, and I appreciated their explanation of the importance of that process for them as an Indigenous musician,” said Mikaela Hayes, who is in her third year of the Bachelor of Arts in Music program. “Their cover of the folk song "Johnny Be Gay If You Can Be" was a beautiful offering to this moment in time where centring Queer Indigenous and BIPOC voices is crucial.”
Christianne Rushton is the Director of the School of Music, which hosts the concert and lecture series. She echoed the thoughts of attendees who were thrilled to have Jeremy’s honest and impactful presence at Acadia.
“Jeremy was generous with his time, his advice, and – in particular – his storytelling,” said Christianne. “Our students were profoundly inspired by his knowledge and insights.”
Acadia students weren’t the only ones who felt awed by this magical evening, which included the incredibly rare opportunity to hear an artist sing in both English and the Maliseet-Passamaquoddy language. Several residents of Wolfville and the surrounding communities were also grateful to have attended.
“Jeremy is a musical genius,” said Nathaniel Kimball, who graduated from Acadia in 2019. “I appreciated this performance so much.”
Upcoming performances and events – which are often free and open to Acadia students, faculty, staff, as well as members of the public – can be found on the Acadia School of Music event calendar.