NAIN
Nain was established in 1771. French horns were first played in the community on Easter Sunday 1776, most likely by Moravian missionaries.1 In 1821, the first bands, which included violins and French horns, were observed by the missionary Benjamin Gottlieb Kohlmeister.2 On Easter Sunday, 1850, an ensemble of violins, flutes, and clarinets performed at the Nain cemetery.3 In April 1908, the band performed "God Save the King" on the wharf during a visit by the Governor of Newfoundland, Sir William MacGregor.4 Photographs and slides from the early twentieth century suggest the band had one clarinet as late as 1905 and possibly 1908 (see image bottom right). On October 19th, 1910, the band performed for the dedication of the new church (see image top right). During Easter 1930, members of the Nain band performed for services held in Hebron and gave instruction to the Hebron band, who had been without instruments since 1909.5 The Nain band is one of the best-documented ensembles in Labrador. In 2016, the revived Nain Brass Band | Nainip Tittulautingit released its first, self-titled album and in 2021 they received a Lifetime Achievement Award from MusicNL.
References
1 Nain Diary, entry for 7 April 1776, cited in J. K. Hiller, “The Foundation and the Early Years of the Moravian Mission in Labrador, 1752–1805,” (M. A. Thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1967), 202.
2 Benjamin Gottlieb Kohlmeister.“Letter addressed to the Brethren’s Society for the Furtherance of the Gospel, by Benjamin Gottlieb Kohlmeister, on his return from Labrador.” Periodical Accounts 9, no. 106 (1821): 238.
3 “Labrador – Extract of the Diaries of 1849-1850.” Periodical Accounts vol. 20 (1851): 68.
4 W. W. Perrett, “Visit of His Excellency the Governor of Newfoundland to Nain,” Periodical Accounts, vol. 7, no. 76 (1908): 192.
5 Christiane Johanna and Siegmund Waldmann, “Report from Hebron From July 1st, 1929 to June 30th, 1930,” Periodical Accounts, vol. 139 (1931): 72.