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October, 2006
It’s Doctor Buddy MacMaster as CBU
honours “very special man”
by Frank Macdonald,
Inverness Oran
Driving up
through Mabou Ridge we soon headed down the gravel road for
the Dance in Glencoe-- and then we saw the light and could
hear the sweet sound of one of those famous jigs and the
feet on the floor-- we’d dance all night! We’d dance all
night to Buddy - His music - a reflection of his
character—true to its roots—tunes exact by their nature—with
emphasis on all the right notes.....
A
fiddler’s fiddler , a dancers fiddler too, (this is
something I do know about) hardly stopping for a break. The
smoothness of his bow, THE ENERGY, THE POWER, He was there
to play. His fiddle kept immaculate......a true gentleman.
God How I loved those nights....and I know you do too!
Buddy
MacMaster continues to be an inspiration to musicians both
young and old, Cape Bretoners and to the people of Judique.
He has graced stages locally and internationally. His wife
Marie, daughter Mary and son Allan have shared him with us
and for that we are grateful.
"It is
fitting tonight that Cape Breton University recognizes the
MASTER for he has been a true ambassador for his island and
his province. It is a reflection of Cape Breton Universities
commitment to education both within its walls and to the
broader community. On behalf of the people of Nova Scotia.,
congratulations Buddy.....we are all very proud of you and
proud of Cape Breton University as well."
~ Premier Rodney MacDonald
It’s Doctor
Hugh A. ‘Buddy’ MacMaster now.
On
Thanksgiving Day during a special ceremony in St. Andrew’s
Church in Judique, Cape Breton University bestowed upon Cape
Breton’s most celebrated fiddler and honourary Doctorate of
Letters. Despite the honourary doctorate, CBU President Dr.
John Harker noted, “I suspect he will continue to be known
as Buddy.”
The special convocation in Judique was just the third time
that Cape Breton University left campus to carry out the
ceremony elsewhere and Harker explained that “This is a very
special convocation for a very special person in a very
special place.”
Buddy MacMaster has lived an individual life, the university
president said, but he has also lived a community life with
his unselfish sharing of his talent and his work with young
musicians and his personal character.
Dr.
Richard MacKinnon, chair of CBU’s Canadian Research Studies,
highlighted the life of the 82-year-old Cape Breton fiddler
“who has made a real and lasting contribution to the culture
of this great island.
“His style
of playing and generosity exemplify the old Scottish style
of fiddling. Simply by listening, watching and playing,
Buddy passes down technique and tunes. He has always
honoured that tradition selflessly...His musical talents are
in high demand across North America and in the United
Kingdom.
“He has also been a mentor to many young musicians. Although
Buddy may not call himself a teacher, Cape Breton University
considers him to be the Dean of Cape Breton fiddling.”
It was
ceremony that opened with Rita Rankin-MacDonald singing O
Canada, followed by a Thanksgiving Invocation by Judique
parish priest Alan MacMillan who asked that we give thanks
on this day for all the colourful gifts that have been
showered on us, and give thanks for the music, “and give
thanks for the gift of Buddy, and bless him and all his
family.”
Cape
Breton University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. H. John
Harker presented the Doctorate of Letters to Buddy
MacMaster, and the fiddler gave his response not in words of
appreciation but by picking up his fiddle and, accompanied
by his sister, Betty Beaton, played a march composed by
Wiulfred Gillis.
During the
ceremony moderated by Alexis Manley, Premier and fellow
fiddler Rodney MacDonald spoke eloquently of Buddy’s impact
on young dancers and fiddlers.
Appropriately, Dr. Harker also spoke during the convocation
of the opening of a new department at Cape Breton
University, the establishment of a chair for Cape Breton
Studies, a music-based approach to island studies.
The
honourary degree presented by Cape Breton University adds
another honour to the growing recognition of the greatest of
this quiet, spiritual, gentle man whose music sets the
standard to which other Cape Breton fiddlers aspire. Buddy
was named a Member of the Order of Canada in 2000, was
awarded the Order of Nova Scotia in 2003 and received the
East Coast Music Association’s Dr. Helen Creighton Lifetime
Achievement Award earlier this year.
Following
the convocation, the honoured guest, faculty and those in
attendance shared tea and oatcakes in Judique’s recently
opened Music Interpretive Centre.
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