There is still music to be made

by Peter Twitchell

In my life I am fortunate to reflect back and look into the mirror to witness gospel songs, country and western songs, rock songs, and songs of my own composing and all who were involved in the Moravian Church choirs both English and Yup’ik.

People who were singers in the church choirs in Bethel were my Mom Sarah, her sister Annie, and Annie’s daughter Mary Evon and family, Carlie, Gertrude, and many Bethel residents who shared their rich tones and voices.

Folks like Paul Gregory, his wife Mary, Douglas and Grace Schattsneider, Moses Buzz, Elsie Konig, Annie Nelson, Moses and Anna Anvil, and John and Ella Kinegak.

There was also a native choir within the Moravian Church. My first cousin Mary and her husband Carlie sang in the Yup’ik choir, and also sang beautifully as a duet every Sunday and my cousin August and Bonnie Alexie. And within the native choir every Sunday Grandma Lucy Beaver would sing her song from memory. She was a treasure, a walking encyclopedia of the Yup’ik culture.

I’ve always felt that I grew up in southwest Alaska in the City of Bethel from a rich musical tribe of Yupiaq People.

Having lived in the greater Anchorage area since 2016 I feel like I’ve really never left my home. The rich tones and the voices of our native people is here and everywhere. I’ve enjoyed the Athabascan and Gwich’in Tribes, their songs have enriched my life greatly.

There is still music to be made and to be heard in every village of the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta and throughout the State of Alaska – north, south, east, and west – for all to hear and to enjoy.