Tristen Durocher is back in northern Saskatchewan teaching the fiddle to students. (Submitted photo/Tristen Durocher)

By Derek Cornet

music lessons

Hall Lake and Sucker River students benefit from instruction by professional fiddler

Jun 7, 2022 | 11:35 AM

A well-known musician is nearly finished a three-month program teaching the fiddle in Hall Lake and Sucker River.

Tristen Durocher began instructing students Grade 3 and older in those communities in January. He was hired through Community Arts Mentorship Programming and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band to interact with students and inspire them to learn how to play an instrument.

“We’ve been having regular fiddle classes Monday to Friday and throughout the week I commute to both places,” he said. “We’ve just been learning music and, when I leave at the end of the month, they will have another teacher coming in to keep the lessons going.”

When he first arrived in those communities, Durocher explained there were issues with attendance due to concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that allowed him to work in small groups, even one-on-one, with students to give them more direct attention than they otherwise would have received.

Durocher described the program as a prolonged beginners course because attendance wasn’t consistent, but added some students really benefitted and enjoy playing the fiddle.

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“They are learning songs. We learn them a few pieces at a time and expand on them,” he said. “There are a few who are quick learners and they really have a spark and a love for the fiddle. I know if they want to pursue it later on, definitely they could do that.”

Before Durocher arrived in Hall Lake and Sucker River, a two-week fiddle mentorship occurred in November and December 2021 with JJ Guy from Saskatoon, along with Kacy Lee Anderson and Micah Erenberg. That gave students some basic skills before Durocher arrived the following month. When he leaves at the end of March, Mitch Dureault will take over from Durocher.

Durocher mentioned it’s important for students to have continued support when aspiring to learn an instrument like the fiddle. He said the fiddle is a tricky instrument and, when someone is first starting out, it can be frustrating. There’s a lot of hand-eye coordination as well.

“When I arrived, there were a lot of students asking if I knew JJ,” Durocher said. “I was kind of able to either finish some of the songs he was teaching them or teach them some songs they were working on, forgot but really enjoyed.”

Durocher taught in Beauval and Canoe Lake before relocating to teach in Hall Lake and Sucker River. He will be returning to Beauval at the end of the month.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno