Nain brass band taking part in international festival in Germany
In an experience of a lifetime, members of the Nain brass band in Labrador are attending a Moravian music festival in Herrnhut, Germany.
The international festival brings together about 200 brass players in the Moravian tradition — including musicians from Labrador whose ancestors were converted in the 18th century by missionaries with the Protestant church.
Not only is this the first time the Nain brass band has taken part in an international event, it's also the first time a Canadian band has ever performed in the Moravian festival.
"Coming from Labrador all the way to Germany just means a lot. I'm very proud," said Michael Dyson, who plays baritone in the Nain band.
"I can't believe we are this far away from home."
Dyson said when he was growing up he just wanted to be part of the local band, and never dreamed he would end up traveling with them to an overseas festival.
"When hearing them as just a little kid I didn't think I would get in the brass band," he said.
"We traveled three days to get here and I just didn't think I would be part of it."
Moravian missionaries began working with Labrador's Inuit in the 1750s, and maintained a presence with clergy until 2005. There are still several active Moravian congregations in Labrador.
A dream come true
Darlene Holwell, who plays first trumpet with the band and teaches Grade 1 in Nain, also couldn't believe her involvement with the band brought her so far from Nain.
"It's wonderful," she told CBC's Labrador Morning from the festival in Germany.
"Last year when we were told we would have a chance to come this far, I guess some of us didn't really believe it."
Holwell said she never could have imagined as a child that she would end up playing trumpet in a German festival.
"When I grew up the women weren't allowed to be in the brass band, it was only the men," she said. "I used to dream about being in the brass band and for it to come true is wonderful."
She said the group is definitely nervous about stepping on the international stage, but that they have been busy preparing to make sure they can keep up.
"Since we were actually able to confirm that the itinerary was real and that we were actually coming, we started practicing about six Moravian songs that we didn't know about and about four songs that we were familiar with in Nain," she said.
"I'm actually nervous to play with more than seven people and I'm nervous because I'm afraid that we won't be as fast as them."
Holwell said while they are enjoying their time in Germany, the group is looking forward to getting back to Labrador to share their experiences.
"Once we get used to it, the next few days it will just fly by — and we will be ready to come home and tell everyone our stories."
