Shoshone-Bannock culture celebrated at Idaho State-Civic Symphony’s ‘Songs of the Land’
Native flutist Hovia Edwards performs her original song “Farewell” with the
civic symphony at the ISU Stephens Performing Arts Center on November 2.
By JEREMY SHAY
Sho-Ban News
POCATELLO — The Idaho State-Civic Symphony hosted a concert with Shoshone-Bannock and Okanagan-Similkameen flute soloist Hovia Edwards, composed with Justin Ralls, at the ISU Stephens Performing Arts Center on Saturday, November 2.
The evening began with a pre-show reception where conductor and artistic director Nell Flanders welcomed guests. She explained the concert celebrates the start of Native American Heritage Month, with a collaboration with Shoshone-Bannock dancers and musicians from the surrounding area.
The reception continued with an interview with composer and flutist Hovia Edwards, and Justin Ralls of Opera Theater Oregon. The symphony showcase was created to highlight a song the pair wrote together called “Farewell,” an integration of original Native flute melody and orchestral accompaniment.
Hovia Edwards said she began her flute instrument journey when she was three-years-old, “my father Herman Edwards is a Okanagan-Similkameen from British Columbia, Canada, and he is a flute maker and player like myself. I’m a third-generation flute player, from my grandfather, which is my dad’s father, so it’s a tradition that was passed down in my family.”
Edwards gave a brief history of the flute used by many Native tribes, and their primary uses, including education and ceremonies. The flutes she primarily uses are crafted in a minor key, including the flute she used in the performance, being in a G minor key, created in Arlee, Mont. by Ken White.
Co-composer Justin Ralls said he met Edwards through friend Rose Ann Abrahamson while he was composing an opera about Sacajawea, titled “Nu Nah-Hup: Sacajawea’s Story,” to learn about the culture and get a perspective from Shoshone people. “Our collaborator Rose Ann and I wanted to share how special Hovia is as a performer and how rare it is, not only for a woman to be a flutist, but also to have her gift for the flute.”
Hovia Edwards, and co-composer Justin Ralls, collaborators on the original song “Farewell.”
When speaking about the song “Farewell,” Hovia explained it was composed over 10 years prior, “being a professional Native American flute player — it was very stressful, demanding. I started when I was in high school and I lived on the road a lot of the time, and it just got to the point where you get tired of it, and I just wanted to take a break.” She said that the song was the last she wrote before taking a break from touring. “I wanted to spend some time with my family, time on my reservation, and I wanted to live a normal life. I recorded a lot of my music, so this was the last song I recorded of myself before I stopped playing, and then I just put my boots away.” She would later return to flute playing, attending flute workshops in Montana, and meeting different composers, including Ralls.
Ralls said the performance of “Farewell” at the symphony was its world premiere, and it is featured in their upcoming opera about Sacajawea that is nearly complete.
Fort Hall Business Council Chairman Lee Juan Tendoy speaks and performs a song for the audience.
After the interview, a dance showcase preceded the symphony performance from Shoshone-Bannock Jr./Sr. High School dance troupe for guests. Advisor Kara Tsosie talked about each dancers style as Ghost Canyon drummed for the showcase.
The symphony began with an introduction by Idaho State-Civic Symphony Logan Anderson where he introduced the evening’s events, followed by an address from Idaho State University President Dr. Robert W. Wagner where he acknowledged the Shoshone-Bannock tribal people’s presence in the Southeast Idaho lands.
Fort Hall Business Council Chairman Lee Juan Tendoy spoke to crowd about the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes history and origination in the area. Afterward he sang a song for the audience.
Dustina Abrahamson emceed a traditional dance showcase with dancers Leela Abrahamson, James Tone, Raliah Marshall, Hunter Osborne and Wrendon Osborne. She explained the history of each dance, including both traditional and fancy style from women and men. Ghost Canyon drum group performed the songs for the dancers.
Girl’s teen fancy shawl dancer Raliah Marshall on stage as part of the Sho-Ban dance demonstration at the concert.
Following the dancers, Hovia Edwards took the stage to lead the world premiere performance of the song “Farewell” with the Idaho State-Civic Symphony.
Sho-Ban Language and Culture Preservation Bannock language apprentice Dillin Diggie played bassoon in the performance of the song with the Idaho State-Civic Symphony.
The symphony performance ended with a “Concerto for Orchestra.”
Shoshone-Bannock beadworkers, arts and crafts vendors were also present at the arts center for visitors.
A post-concert reception with a meet and greet with composers, conductors and musicians concluded the night’s events.
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