ROCK ON! Music Tour 2025
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Rock Tour 2025 was an incredible success according to music teacher, Jayden
Madsen, from Harry Collinge High (HCHS) in Hinton, who once again partnered with
fellow music teachers, Brett Watt from Grand Trunk High (GTHS) in Evansburg, and
Matt Kolotyluk from Thorhild Central - and former GTHS music teacher - to bring
together their talented student musicians. This is Rock Tour #11 for the three
schools partnering together to share their love of music; led by three passionate
teachers who also play together in their own band, The Mad Jacks.
Over the course of three days in May, a mix of grade 9 to 12 students combined
from the three high schools, embarked on a five-show rock and roll tour, performing
at schools in Thorhild, Westlock, Evansburg, and Hinton. The talented students
included drummers, keyboard players, guitar players, bassists, and vocalists. Many
students had more than one job or played more than one instrument too. Some of
the students also had a public performance at The Venue in Hinton, drawing a
fantastic crowd and showcasing the students' hard work and dedication.
The tour provided a unique learning experience, immersing students in the realities
of touring life. They honed their skills in setting up and taking down light and sound
systems, while learning the intricacies of live performance. Traveling hundreds of
kilometres together, they forged strong bonds and developed a deeper
understanding of teamwork and collaboration. Unlike some school activities that
focus on competition, this tour emphasized team-building and unity. Students from
different schools worked together, supporting each other both on, and off, the
stage.
Madsen noted, “The students all worked separately, but very quickly, we had
musicians intermingling. My one keyboard player stepped up and learned three
tunes with a few days notice to fill in for a missing keyboard player in one of Matt's
band. The camaraderie and shared experiences made this tour truly special, leaving
lasting memories and friendships. Overall, the tour was an unforgettable journey
that highlighted the power of music to bring people together and foster a sense of
community.”
ROCK ON! Music Tour 2025
