Bringing the waves and vibrations of a semester’s worth of hard work to Nelson’s Spirtbar stage, students in Selkirk College’s Contemporary Music & Technology Program will greet the holiday break with the Winter Sonic Showcase.
An annual semester-end tradition, the holiday-themed showcase presents a six-pack of bands that feature students with their faculty mentors who will criss-cross genres. Intensely honing their musical chops on Nelson’s Tenth Street Campus since September, the entire community is invited to join the sound celebration on December 14 starting at 7:30 pm.
“Everyone has put in such an incredible effort over the last few months and we are ready to burst into the break with this show,” says second-year student Anna Hendry, a vocalist in the metal funk band Joely Beanz. “No matter what, this concert is bound to have something for everyone. We are looking forward to a night full of spectacular music and company.”
The six different ensembles are each led by an uber-talented faculty member and feature an impressive array of budding student talent. Each band will perform short sets that include genres that span songs from the ‘80s, R&B, blues, pop, roots rock and metal funk. With a rich blend of covers and originals, the sets will feature some of the best sounds Nelson has to offer.
“A show like this means everything to the students. It’s a huge opportunity for their development as performers, but most of all it is simply a lot of fun,” says voice instructor and veteran performer Emily Millard, herself an alumna of the program. “I’m really impressed with the commitment the students show to such a rigorous program and it’s exciting to see how that translates on stage in terms of musical growth. This is a chance for music lovers to see the depth of talent we currently have in our classrooms and studios. It’s going to be a stellar evening.”
The venue will be filled with excitement and holiday festivities, including a decorated photo booth for all attending to capture memories. The showcase will be hosted by the exuberant Damien Alblas, a local performing musician and alumnus of the program.
The show is also a fundraiser for music program scholarships that support future learners in the unique two-year diploma program. Advanced tickets are on sale on the Spiritbar website for $10. You can find out more information on our events calendar.
Learn more about the Contemporary Music & Technology Program.
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