John Arcand facts for kids

Jean Baptiste "John" Arcand is a famous Canadian fiddler. He was born on July 19, 1942, in Jackson Lake, Saskatchewan. John Arcand is also a composer, a teacher, and a luthier (someone who makes or fixes stringed instruments).

He started playing and writing music when he was a child. He learned traditional Métis tunes from his father, Victor, and his grandfather, Jean-Baptiste. John Arcand once said, "I knew from childhood I would be a fiddler." He also shared, "I love the constant challenge because you cannot ever master the fiddle." People know him for his excellent timing in music. This skill is very important when guiding dancers.

The Métis community has honored John Arcand. They recognize him for helping to keep this important musical tradition alive. Besides performing a lot, John Arcand is busy in other ways. He is a guest artist and a judge at fiddle contests. Many people want him to teach at fiddle camps and give private lessons. He also makes and repairs fiddles.

John Arcand's Early Life

Jean Baptiste Arcand comes from a long line of musicians. His family's musical history goes back nine generations. His family roots are from the Métis communities of Red River and Batoche, Saskatchewan. John was one of 14 children. His parents were Victor Arcand and Emma Loyie from Debden, Saskatchewan.

He grew up in a home filled with dancing and fiddle music. He started playing the fiddle when he was just six years old. John's father and grandfather did not write music. But they played traditional Métis tunes like jigs and reels for dancing. By the age of 12, John was playing for dances. These dances took place in people's homes or at school.

John remembers his first fiddle. He said, "My first fiddle was too long for me, and it only had two strings on it!" John also played for jiggers (dancers), square dancers, and other dance groups. As a child, John spent much time working on his family's farm. He chopped wood and milked cows. At 16, he started working in logging camps. This work helped him pay for his first fiddle.

John Arcand's Music Career

John Arcand began joining fiddle contests in 1970. He won the championship at "Back to Batoche Days" in 1971. He also took part in the Prince Albert Winter Festival fiddle contest. He competed at the Western Canadian Amateur Fiddle Championship in Swift Current, Saskatchewan.

Arcand helped start many fiddle groups and dance groups in Saskatchewan. These include the Deep Lake Stompers (1988). He also helped create the Parkland Fiddlers Association (1989-2007). He was part of the Saskatchewan Fiddle Committee (1990).

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Arcand worked at the Gabriel Dumont Institute. This institute is in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. There, he helped bring together famous Métis fiddle players. They came from across Western Canada. Their goal was to collect and save their traditional fiddle music.

Drops of Brandy Album

This project led to a special collection in 2002. It was called Drops of Brandy and other Traditional Métis Tunes. This set has four CDs. It includes over 150 fiddle tunes. Twelve master Métis fiddlers performed these songs. These fiddlers included 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.

A book also came with the CDs. It had the sheet music for every song. It also included stories about the musicians. The book explained the history and importance of Métis fiddling.

Awards and Recognition

John Arcand has been a guide for many Canadian fiddlers. On March 28, 2003, he received a big award. It was the National Aboriginal Achievement Award for Arts and Culture. He got this award at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. He was honored for his work. He helped keep Métis fiddling alive.

The Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Association also gave him an award. He received the Lifetime Achievement Award in August 2003. This happened when he was a guest artist at a national fiddle competition. Arcand was the first Canadian Métis fiddler to win this award. He was also the first fiddler from Saskatchewan to get this honor. He also played at the launch of Canada's first Métis radio station online.

On May 3, 2007, Arcand became a member of the Order of Canada. This is a very high honor in Canada. He officially received this honor on April 11, 2008.

Festivals and Camps

John Arcand has recorded many music albums. One album features Métis fiddle tunes with Calvin Vollrath. With Vollrath, he started the Emma Lake Fiddle Camp. The Saskatchewan Cultural Exchange Society runs this camp. Famous fiddlers like Richard Wood and Patti Kusturok Lamoreux also taught there.

The John Arcand Fiddle Fest happens every August. It takes place on his land south of Saskatoon. Fiddle music fans from all over the world attend this festival. In 2017, the festival celebrated its 20th anniversary.

Musical Influences

John Arcand's music and style have been shaped by Andy DeJarlis. You can see this influence in his compositions. He has recorded several of DeJarlis's tunes over the years. In 2005, he even included a DeJarlis fiddle tune class at his Fiddle Fest. Many of Arcand's songs sound similar to DeJarlis's tunes. They often use minor keys and similar rhythms.

John Arcand's Compositions

John Arcand has written almost 400 original tunes. Many of these songs are written for specific people. Others honor places he has visited. Here is a list of some of his tunes:

• 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

Awards and Honors

John Arcand has received many awards for his musical talents:

• He was one of 27 people to represent Western Canada. This was at the Fiddles of the World Conference in Halifax (1999).
• He received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Grand Masters (2003). This was for his "Outstanding Contribution to Old Time Fiddling."
• He won the National Aboriginal Achievement Award for Arts and Culture (2003).
• He received the Saskatchewan Lieutenant Governor's Arts Award (2004).
• He was given the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal (2005).
• He won the City of Saskatoon's Cultural Diversity and Race Relations "Living in Harmony" Award (2006).
• He became a member of the Order of Canada (2008). Governor General Michaelle Jean presented this to him.
• He received the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012).
• He won the Canada Council Molson Prize (2014).

See also

• Music of Canada
• List of Canadian musicians