Arts
Go Evolutionary band go!
Fall 2011 |
Members of Evolutionary band were in Toronto recently to record at the Glen Gould studio. http://www.myspace.com/evolutionarywhererockrules/videos One might think a teen angel dreamed up with the idea of playing rock music for a high school credit, but the idea belongs to Norm McIntosh, a conservative music teacher with the heart of an aging hippie. Just the facts Evolutionary is a 24 piece rock band including four vocalists, a seven-piece rhythm section, three trumpets, four trombones, two alto saxes and four tenor saxes and is supported by a 16-member stage crew. Band members range in age from 13 to 19 years old. They must audition annually. All expenses for transportation, and the purchase and repair of musical instruments and equipment are covered by student fund-raising and sponsorship. Shows are approximately 75 minutes in length. They play songs made famous by Shinedown, Hinder, Green Day, 3 Days Grace, Rolling Stones, Queen, Bryan Adams, AC/DC, Foo Fighters, Linkin Park, Nickleback and Kings of Leon. In 2007, the band set the Guinness World Record for the deepest concert at 3,400 feet underground at Creighton Mine. The band was also recognized as the Junior Citizens of the Year in 2008 at the Northern Life Community Builders Awards of Excellence. Evolutionary has enjoyed visits with The Tragically Hip, Hedley, Keisha Chante, Sloan, Suzie McNeil, The Trews and Three Days Grace.
He started the Evolutionary band 30 years ago at Confederation Secondary School. It is still rocking.
It is no bird course, according to recent Evolutionary graduates Katelynn Stamplecoski, 18, Kayla O'Hearon, 17, and Sonnie Debassige, 18. They talk enthusiastically of their experiences. It sounds like a lot of fun being able to play AD/DC tunes instead of Beethoven.
All band members must be able to read music. They practice long hours after school.
Stamplecoski, who plays several instruments and sings, plans to studying nursing at Laurentian University this fall. "(Playing) music helped me to learn how to memorize," she says. It's something she knows will come in handy at university.
Debassige, another singer, has a strong stage presence, but she is shy. She may pursue a performance career, but for now she plans to stay in the background. She has enrolled at Humber College in the theatre production program.
Kayla, a guitarist, is taking a victory lap (repeating Grade 12) at Confederation. She also plans to study at Humber when she graduates.
There are 24 band members and a 16-member support crew. For much of the school year, the musicians rehearse four nights a week after school from 2:30 to 5 pm.
In March the band starts a performance tour and visit Sudbury and area schools. In addition to a 75-minute set, the band does its part to educate their audiences on subjects such as bullying, world peace, and the dangers of drinking and driving.
This past spring, Evolutionary played four concerts in four days on a tour of southern Ontario. The performances were filmed for a 10-episode reality series.
