‘It’s a little nerve wracking, but once you’re up there you realize you’re just having fun’
More than a dozen Calgary teens got a taste of the big stage on Thursday, performing for crowds at the Calgary Stampede.
Local groups from two School of Rock music schools in Calgary rocked out for two shows on the Coca-Cola Stage, playing both old and new tracks.
Some members of the groups have had a chance to play the Coca-Cola Stage before, while it was the first time for others, according to School of Rock Calgary music director and teacher Ryan Marchant.
He said seeing his students on the stage Thursday made him “beam with pride.”
“I’m just so happy that they get these chances — they’re all incredible for their age, just the skill level is insane,” said Marchant. “It’s pure pride, it’s amazing. I’m so proud of all of them.
“It’s an incredible honour — just being someone from Alberta, I’ve lived here my whole life, I know how iconic the Coke Stage is.”
Fourteen-year-old drummer Mason Minken played with the second set of performers from School of Rock Douglasdale. He has performed on the stage twice before.
Minken called playing at Stampede this year a cool experience — “It’s pretty special; great stage, the drums sound amazing, the people are great.”
Hours of practice go into polishing Minken’s work on the drums before hitting the stage.
Ben Dove played the keys for School of Rock Calgary’s eight-song set. They stuck to mostly rock, from classics to renditions of more recent songs.
“It’s awesome, we get to be on big stages like some real celebrities,” Dove said.
Dove and four others from the school were selected to be part of the global School of Rock “All Stars” program, from about 60,000 School of Rock students each year.
“Less than one per cent — about 170 kids — that get chosen for this. It’s a pretty special thing to be a part of,” Marchant said.
Ahead of the first show, 16-year-old guitarist Maya Nandagiri said” “The stage is huge, so I’m excited to be able to interact with people that I don’t usually get to.”
Nandagiri was also selected in the All Stars program and will travel to California over 10 days in the coming weeks.
When it comes to making these performances happen, School of Rock Douglasdale house band director Lara Taillon said when they rehearse with students, they rehearse how they would play on stage.
“Our guitar players, their solos are getting better and better, and they’re becoming really, really good entertainers,” she said.
School of Rock Douglasdale guitarist Mason Dyck, 16, was particularly excited to play the classic song I Heard It Through The Grapevine, which included a bass solo and two guitar solos.
In terms of playing the Stampede, Dyck said, “It’s a little nerve-racking, but once you’re up there you realize you’re just having fun — and you get over it after a song or two.”