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Selkirk College Music Students Raise Funds for CARES at Winter Showcase

Bob Hall
By Bob Hall
December 11th, 2016

Selkirk College’s Contemporary Music & Technology Program students are hitting the stage at Spiritbar on Thursday, December 15 in an event that showcases their talent and generosity to the community.

The annual winter show and celebration features five student-based ensembles performing an eclectic mix of genres. All proceeds from this night of entertainment will go to the Nelson CARES Society Room to Live campaign which is creating affordable housing for people in Nelson’s downtown core.

Students have been working diligently preparing for this event as part of their learning at the Tenth Street Campus of Selkirk College. Some of the ensembles are joined by Selkirk College instructors who have mentored and collaborated with the students.

“Creating a show like this gives our students real-life experience about what actually goes into putting on a show of this magnitude,” says Selkirk College Instructor Laura Landsberg. “They have learned their music as well as marketed and organized the event. I’m very excited to be part of this night. And knowing that students want to donate moneys earned that night to a worthwhile cause, makes me proud as well.”

Five Bands Span Musical Spectrum

Ensemble XIII, the Elevation Edition will be dishing out some gritty grooves and soulful stylings, all with the single-minded purpose of taking you up, up, up to a top-floor party of very contemporary pop. Break out your best moves and prepare to be elevated. Ensemble XIII is  Emilaea Woodwolf, Kiana Tingley, Erin L’Heureux and John Harder on vocals; Clayton Mallette on drums, Tomas Caldwell on bass, Drey Bombardier and Cole Senger on guitar and Havelock John Tucker, Selkirk College music instructor on keyboards.

Return To Whatever is a classic jazz/rock fusion band. The ensemble has taken tunes from Chick Corea, Weather Report, Mike Stern, and Marcus Miller and arranged them for a two guitars and rhythm section. The ensemble features Clayton Whalen and Selkirk College Instructor Paul Landsberg on guitars, Kevin Wasilenkoff on keys, Calum Rife on bass, and Elijah Stepaniuk on drums. Energetic improvisations combined with rock, jazz, and funk best describe this tour de force.

P012 brings on the nostalgia with rock ‘n’ roll hits from throughout the ages. This band delivers a full and powerful sound bound to keep you up and moving on the dance floor. Whether it’s the love ballad that brings you right back to prom night, or the hard rock hit that has you thinking of a high school weekend, this dynamic group is bringing back the oldies. With Darren Mahe on the funky bass guitar, powerhouse vocalist Madeleine King on lead vocals, Selina Heyligers-Hare and Madi Dixon rocking electric guitar, Ryan Hommy laying down the groove on drums and the brilliant Tiago de Renor on keys, this band will get you on your feet and moving to the beat.

With everything from snappy funk jams, to rich southern rock, to modern gems, Ensemble XI is drawing on its smashing variety of influences to give you fun and excitement. Come join them and be ready for the groove to set in deep. Ensemble XI is Bethany Petch, Jonah Miller, Selkirk College Instructor Laura Landsberg, and Ryan Mildenberger on Vox, Logan Contino and Davis Yates on Guitar, Dean Bass on Bass, and Bleu Klassen-Wright on Drums.

Get your spot on the dance floor early! Snarky Puppy Ensemble is a funky group delivering grooving instrumentals and swanky songs with a captivating ease that will keep you on your feet all night! Featuring the soulful music of Vulfpeck, Chet Faker, Snarky Puppy and Don MacDonald, this is a set you do not want to miss! Snarky Puppy is Ami Cheon on vocals/keys, Austin Parachoniak and Trevor Unruh on guitar, Connor Oswald on bass, Brodie Parachoniak on drums, Levi Schulhauser on tenor sax, and faculty member MacDonald on alto sax/keys.

The Winter Celebration Show starts at 9 p.m. (doors open at 8:30 p.m.) at Spiritbar in Nelson’s Hume Hotel. The cover for the evening is $10 at the door and $5 for students.

PHOTO CAPTION: Selkirk College music students are playing Spiritbar in Nelson on Thursday, December 15. Funds raised at this event go toward Nelson CARES Room to Live campaign aiming to provide safe, stable and affordable housing for residents of the community.

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