By Gillian Brunette
Huntsville High School teacher Greg Sutherland knows what he is talking about when it comes to talent.
A member of the school’s music department, Sutherland worked as a record producer for the Universal label for about 25 years and is very impressed by the six female vocalists under his wing.
“They are as good as anyone I’ve ever worked with —younger, but they have all the essence of good musicians,” he said.
The vocalists he is referring to are Taryn Christie, Niki Malone, Jenny Smith, Rachel Wright, Holly Maurer and Katie Minnis, who are the principals of the Song Project, a program whereby Grade 7 and 8 students are introduced to the joys of music.
TALENTED TRIO: Jenny Smith, Taryn Christie and Holly Maurer (from left) tune up their vocal chords in the music room at Huntsville High School. The three vocalists are performing for The Song Project, scheduled for June 5 at the Algonquin Theatre.
“We want to encourage young people to take music when they get to high school,” explained Sutherland.
He continued: “The Song Project evolved out of a concept that Louis (Tusz), Jordan (Riley) and I did to add rock and pop material to complement the choral, vocal and stage band programs at the school.”
The music department teachers began developing their concept two years ago with girls from the vocal class.
“They worked on material all year and did a performance at the Algonquin Theatre in June last year for Grade 7 and 8s from Riverside, Huntsville Public, Spruce Glen and Pine Glen schools,” said Sutherland.
With a $6,000 grant from the Trillium Lakelands School Board to buy some transportable equipment, plus financial support from the Huntsville Festival of the Arts, the music department has been able to provide clinics and outreach programs to the elementary schools.
“We piloted the program at Pine Glen and have been there four or five times throughout the year,” Sutherland said.
Taryn, Niki, Jenny, Rachel and Holly took time out from their vocal classes to teach the students from Grade 5 through to Grade 8.
“We did some technical stuff, vocal warm-ups and showed them how we would put a song together at school. We sang some of the songs we are performing first using a CD, then a cappella,” Holly explained.
“The girls have done an amazing job with teaching and the time they put in. The (elementary school) staff were amazed at how good the girls are. Some of the Grade 7 and 8 students at Pine Glen are intending to continue with music in high school. Even the guys,” Sutherland said.
Last year’s performance at the Algonquin Theatre was so well received, it was decided that a concert should be made available to the general public.
“Last year was so much fun,” Taryn said. “So many kids wanted to go that the parents couldn’t, so that’s why we are doing an evening performance for the public, to let people know what our vocal programs are like.”
Joining the young singers on stage will be the HHS all-star band comprising Tyler Ayles, Kevin Bell, Lane Charlton, Shane Connon, Nick Hariss, Blaine Mackie and teachers Tusz, Riley, John Minnis and Jan Olsson.
Also appearing in the show are Ashley White and former student Ashley Hill and four guest singers from Grade 10, Kaitie Dafoe, Sarah McNeil, Jaime Payne and Taylor Petman, who will perform two songs.
Together the group is bringing an evening of rock, pop, rhythm and blues and new country music to the Algonquin Theatre stage on Thursday, June 5 at 7:30 p.m.
“This will be a great show. Huntsville High School has talent way beyond what you would think student talent would be,” Sutherland said. “Anyone who enjoyed Grease will enjoy this. Three of the girls had lead roles in Grease.”
Meanwhile the Song Project will be ongoing, concluded Sutherland.
“Each year we will do it, hopefully with the help of these girls who will come back from university and want to be involved. As we move along, we are also hoping to include guys,” said Sutherland.
Tickets for the Song Project concert are $15 each and available through the Algonquin Theatre box office, 789-4975 or at www.algonquintheatre.ca.
