Music brings cultures together
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PABLO — A Native American drum does not usually share the stage with violins, a viola, a guitar, a bass and a cello. But on July 20, a mutual love of music brought members of the Native Heart drum and baroque musicians together at the People’s Center.
This is the eighth year musicians from the baroque festival at Quinn’s Hot Springs visited the People’s Center to play their music, listen to a native drum, watch traditional Native American dancing and try a round dance.
The baroque musicians played Antonio Vivaldi, and Native Heart played several songs.
Baroque musician Vicki Pich played the viola d’amore during one of the selections. Differing from a regular viola, the instrument has 12 strings and takes forever to tune, Pich explained.
Four generations play and sing in Native Heart according to Josh Christie, who “drums hard.” His niece is the lead singer.
The newly crowned Miss Kootenai, Jazmin Auld, Elmo, came to dance as well as sisters Gigi and Marita Growingthunder, Polson, and Ken Camel.
Camel talked to the crowd about the colors of the four directions and coup sticks, and two audience members won a coup stick hand-made by Camel.
Adam LaMotte, violin, has been coming to the festival at Quinn’s Hot Springs since its inception eight years ago.
“The scenery can’t be beat,” LaMotte said.
He noted that most of the musicians live in Portland and enjoy returning to Montana to share their music at the People’s Center.
As Jean Morrison, Sanders County Arts Council said, “We at least have a basic thing, music, to help us understand each other.”
