hawk's blog

We each have innate gifts and abilities that sometimes get smothered or lay dormant. During a flute making workshop, skills that have been dormant or not recognized will be used and refined. People will work with sharp tools and fire. One young man who had been seriously burned as a child was very fearful of using the propane torch (to burn the finger holes into his flute). With some hand over hand guidance he was able to accomplish the job. This helped him to recognize many things about himself and to gain confidence by overcoming a fear he’d had for many years. Read more »

I have shared my music in both formal and informal settings -- powwows, Native gatherings and ceremonies, funerals and weddings, small and large performance stages and venues, museums, local and regional fairs, and international festivals. In all settings, the music I that I play with my flutes is an expression of my relationship to our world as well as to the ideas and emotions that arise from this relationship. I preface each song that I play with an explanation of its meaning and origin. Read more »

I have been invited to be a participant in various religious activities over the years, including conferences organized by particular churches or interfaith groups, ceremonies and spiritual gatherings, and as a speaker in a wide variety of churches. The role of music in creating an open and safe space is perhaps more important here than in many other settings. At times, there is an immediate natural consonance with others from different faiths. At others times, there is a greater challenge, such as those occasions when people have conflicting experiences or points of view. Read more »

"The pleasure and fond remembrance of performances he has presented here at the museum, and the sheer caliber of his character, are always at the forefront of my mind when I speak of Hawk – or, am spoken to about him. Hawk is an honest soul who, when approached on the topic of culture and music, epitomizes what I feel is the "whole-earth" Native artist's passion for creative work. His passion for music is contagious and his attention to others and ability to listen to their input, intense. He is always at the top of my list when I recommend Native American presenters and performers. Read more »

I was commissioned in 2007 to create a new composition for a chamber group of the London Mozart Players, and performed it with them in England. I also had many opportunities to informally collaborate with classical, jazz, folk, and other musicians from various genres. These collaborations were cultural and musical, very often shared publicly through performances in local venues, discussion groups and other outreach activities based in small community-settings and schools. Read more »

I’ve worked in many different educational settings over the years, including public and private schools, universities, and museums. They’ve all been wonderful, wonderful experiences for me. Read more »

Links

Nipmuck tribal home page, Chaubunagungamaugg Band

Firebird Trust

London Mozart Players Chamber Orchestra

Harvard Medical School

Harvard University Native American Program (1)

Harvard University Native American Program (2) Read more »

Placeholder.

Music has been used throughout the ages for many purposes: ceremony, entertainment, sharing of knowledge and information...my relationship with music falls within these contexts. I use music as well as the instruments themselves, in a metaphorical sense, to engage the listener in a discussion of how to bring more health to our self, our community and our world. Peace. Read more »