Dzunukwa – Beneath the Canopy & Through the Underworld

Description:

Dzunukwa – Beneath the Canopy & Through the Underworld is a musical setting by Scott Good of the story of Dzunuka, a venerated figure from Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw mythology. As told by William Wasden, the fifty-minute composition combines traditional Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw melodic and rhythmic devices with narration and improvisation. 

On the occasion of Vancouver’s 125th birthday, Good conducted members of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, VOICE OVER mind Choir, and Express Your Voice Choir, with over 100 music students from local schools in a performance of Dzunukwa in the Vancouver Public Library atrium. The project provided students from Queen Elizabeth Elementary School, Sir Charles Tupper Secondary School, Vancouver Technical Secondary School, and Killarney Secondary School with an introduction to First Nations musical traditions, as well as experience participating in an orchestral setting. 

The evening also featured work by Alvin Curran that adapted a previous composition for a massive outdoor roving brass ensemble.

Presented in conjunction with Storytelling with Amanda Nahanee at the Vancouver Public Library.

Video documentation is available upon request.