Master fiddler Gordon Stobbe and guitarist Greg Simm will join Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter Old Man Luedecke and the Riverport and Area Community Choir at the Pearl Theatre in Lunenburg November 12 for a fundraising concert in aid of the Tusarnaarniq Sivumut Association.

 Translated from the Inuktitut as "Music for the Future," Tusarnaarniq Sivumut evolved in 2007 from a music club which Lunenburg County educator Julie Lohnes started in Pond Inlet in 2004.

 On seven occasions over the last five years, Mr. Stobbe and Mr. Simm have visited communities on Baffin Island to conduct workshops which have benefited youth by keeping them productive and engaged, not only during their learning experience, but throughout the entire year as many continue to play.

 The workshops teach them that hard work and dedication have rewards, and for many have increased their self-confidence, as well as a sense of pride and accomplishment in other areas of their lives.

 The association, which was created to secure the future of existing music programs and to reach more youth from across Nunavut, also strives to provide instruments to communities and support music as a positive outlet for Inuit youth in the remote North.

 The Lunenburg concert begins at 6:30 p.m. with a silent auction and refreshments, with music commencing at 7:30.

 For more information or to donate to the silent auction visit http://musicforthefuture.ca or e-mail nunavutmusic@eastlink.ca.

posted on 11/09/11