Blues take Dashwood teen to Ottawa

MusicFest chooses Carly Schroeder as one of the best music students in Canada; three SHDHS bands competing nationally

Story and photo by Casey Lessard

Grade 12 student Carly Schroeder is representing South Huron District High School and her hometown of Dashwood when she heads to Ottawa next month (May 12-18) to perform in the MusicFest Canada national concert band. But her parents won’t be there to see it.
“We’re feeling really bad about that,” says mom Brenda Schroeder. Before they knew Carly was accepted into the band as an alto saxophonist, Brenda and Steve had booked a trip to visit Carly’s brother, an RCMP officer in B.C. “We leave on Thursday and she performs on Friday. The timing’s all bad, so we’re hoping there will be CDs or DVDs that record the event. When it comes to your kids, you like to see them in such situations.”
You can’t blame the Schroeders for making plans; her selection to be part of the band was certainly a surprise to Carly.
“I didn’t expect to get chosen,” she says. “It was a little overwhelming at first. I was like, Are you sure?”
An email mix-up didn’t help. After sending the first confirmation message, something confusing happened.
“They sent me a second one that was addressed to Ryan someone. I emailed them back and a couple of weeks later, they sent me another email to say yes, that I was in. It was kind of a long process.”
That process began when music teacher Isaac Moore helped her record a CD of work learned during lessons with Ryan Fraser of London.
“The pieces I played were not your typical alto saxophone songs,” Carly notes. “The first song I played had this growling part to it, and it was really fun. I wasn’t sure what they’d think about it. Then there was another second movement to it that was more typical.”
The judges must have been impressed, says MusicFest Canada executive director Jim Howard.
“It’s very difficult to get into the saxophone section because Dr. Jeremy Brown (the head of music at the University of Calgary) is a world-renowned saxophone player,” he told the Strip from Calgary. “She must be very, very good to get in there.”
“This is kind of the ultimate honour band,” he adds, noting the band consists of 55-60 students from across the country. “It’s an amazing experience. We run it like a camp as opposed to running it like a touring band. Yamaha provides clinics to sectionals with them during the week. They get access to the MusicFest Canada master classes, and they get to play music they’re normally not going to get to play. They’re playing such a high level of music, even university bands aren’t tackling the repertoire these kids are going to play.”
University scouts will be at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa to hear Carly and the rest of the band play, bringing with them $100,000 in scholarships to attract the best to their schools.
The band will practice for nine hours a day for four days, and then perform twice as a group. Howard estimates about 2500 students will jam the hall to see them perform. A big event for a small-town teen who became attracted to the saxophone as a student with Exeter’s Lori Erb.
“My parents put me in Music for Young Children when I was six,” Carly says. “That was piano, and I picked up the saxophone in high school. I loved jazz and blues, and I played my first blues song on the piano. That’s when I decided I wanted to play saxophone.”
“At about Grade 3 piano, she was wavering and wasn’t enjoying it,” Brenda adds, “and Lori had the insight to let her have a whole year of playing blues and jazz, staying away from the conservatory pieces. That was a real turning point for her.”
Besides jazz and blues, Carly loves classic rock, favouring the Beatles, Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin. Classical music can be heard when she’s studying. And there will be many more years of that. She’s planning on becoming a high school music teacher.
“Music has always been a huge part of my life,” she says. “I don’t see my life without it. Seeing this high school music department, it’s awesome how it brings people together.”
Bringing people together is what the music department does best, and three of its ensembles are heading to Ottawa with Carly. The senior concert band, wind ensemble and percussion ensemble excelled at the regional MusicFest in London last month, with the percussion ensemble earning the coveted gold status.
“It’s nice to be recognized for the hard work we do here,” says teacher Isaac Moore. “The national thing is pretty special because it means some of the best bands in the country come from right here in Exeter, Ontario.”
The music department’s annual Cabaret will showcase some of the work being performed at the nationals. The Cabaret happens Saturday, April 19 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 20 at 2 p.m. All of the department’s bands will be featured.

(CTV - June 12 at 8 p.m.) Greg Gallello: “I want to put Grand Bend on the map”

Local businessman wants to be the next Canadian Idol

Oakwood Inn pub
June 1 & 2
9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Grand Bend native Greg Gallello owns and operates Little Gino’s, Yogen FrÜz, and Sam’s Playing Fields Batting Cages as well as performing live music in the area

Personal Style:
Really laid back. I grew up on the beach. My whole life has been about where the sand meets the water. Everything has been laid back, easygoing, good vibe.

Influences:
Musical influences would definitely be more modern. The Fray; they’re just throwing out hit after hit right now. It’s just a good feeling when I listen to their songs or when I play them myself. Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, Coldplay. Serious influences would even be anything from The Beatles, Billy Joel, Elton John.

What people can expect:
I want people to come with high expectations. I play to the crowd, and my repertoire ranges. I have all different age groups that I play to, so from 19 to 60 or 70. I play everything from 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s to more modern. I like to see other people having a good time and paying attention.

Interview and photos by Casey Lessard

Who makes you want to sing?
Myself. I just love singing. I’m singing all day long. There’s no particular one person who makes me want to sing. I sing because it’s my life.

 

 

 

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What is your favourite music moment?
My newest favourite music moment was auditioning for Canadian Idol. Before that, I have a couple that have stayed in my mind and made me want to pursue music more. When I was 16, a friend of mine was in charge of Canada Day long weekend. We had around 40,000 to 45,000 people on the beach and I was asked to open up for the fireworks. Another one was hearing myself on the radio for the first time, on FM96. I was 19 at the time, and going out west after a summer here to pursue a music career. I called FM96 because I was driving out and thought it would be cool to go with someone. So I asked Jeff McArthur if he could do a shout out to anyone listening for anyone to go out West with me. He asked why I was doing that, and I told him I was a musician, a piano player, etc. He asked if I had a piano around. I said sure. He asked me to play Piano Man and I did a three-minute live piece on FM96 and asked if he could play it. I found out six months later that he kept it and was still playing it when I got back the next June every couple weeks.

Where do you like to spend your time?
On the beach. Being a businessman and running four businesses here in the summer, I don’t get down there that often, but when I do, that’s where I do a lot of my writing and my brainstorming. All my music comes from the beach. When I’m down there, everything just feels right.

When do you think you will achieve what you want?
I’ve already achieved almost everything I want to. Everything above what I’m doing now is just an added bonus. I like to get back what I put out, and I’ve been putting out so much with my music that it just feels right how everything is coming back for me. You can always hope for more, right?

Why did you start performing?
It was fun. I’ve always just had that in me to want to perform in front of people. It always felt good. Growing up with two sisters and a brother, I was the one that always wanted the most attention and found any way I could to get it. It started out banging pots and pans, and turned into different instruments and singing.

You can track Greg Gallello’s progress on Canadian Idol starting June 5 at 8:30 p.m. on CTV.

 

 

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Band Profile: Cactus Jam

Grand Bend Legion
June 2
3-6 p.m.

Goderich-native Arlene Darndrough (keyboard and vocals) and Seaforth-native Kim Such (guitar and vocals).
Strip spoke with Arlene Darndrough.

Personal Style: We do just about everything. We just worked our repertoire up so we do almost everything except for current top 40. Once in a while, Kim will do a couple of those tunes. We do jazz, we do classics, we do country, whatever people ask for.

Influences: Anybody. We like all sorts of music. I can’t really say that there’s any because we take the CD of the song that we like and duplicate it. It’s just been experience in bands and trying to find something that everyone enjoys so we can do any venue we want and keep it affordable.

What people can expect: It’s entertaining and they can dance if they want. There’s humour.

Interview by Casey Lessard

Who got you started in music?
Arlene: Probably my father. He was a self taught singer and piano player. He played in nightclubs and he played Eddie Duchin style. Eddie Duchin was a famous piano player and he had a specific style. They actually made a movie about him, so he was as popular as Glen Miller.

What do you like about being a musician?
I like music or I wouldn’t be doing it. I just like any kind. The challenge is good and the end result is satisfying as well.

Where did you first perform?
It was with a big band and I don’t remember the name but it was at the Stork Club in Port Stanley. As Cactus Jam we’ve been together 15 years with different members coming and going; I’ve been the only constant but different people come and go.

When did you decide that this was something you would do all the time?
When it became obvious that people wanted to hear music they could dance to and have it still be affordable. These days DJs have taken over. But I’ve always wanted to be in a band. This seems to be what people want and we’ve kept with it.

Why do you think people still want live music?
It’s not so much the young generation. The older generation wants live music because they’re used to it. We’re affordable so we do a lot of backyard parties and special events. Some people prefer to see live music at work. Some bars we go to, the younger generation is receptive to it, but at weddings, you’ll almost never see a band now. That’s probably because a bigger band is not affordable. A lot of bands do it for pleasure more than for profit.

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Band Profile: Bob Finlay

Grand Bend Legion
May 19 3-6pm

Hometown: St. Thomas
Personal Style: Everything from early war tunes to East Coast Canada to Elvis, 50s, 60s, 70s. Canadian folk music. Audience participation.
Influences: My dad; high school teacher Frank Hurlehay; vocal coach and Caledonians accompanist Dr. Wayne Carroll
What people can expect: A fun, lively, entertaining high caliber afternoon.

Interview and photo by Casey Lessard

Who inspires you?
My dad. My dad’s passed now, but he got me into music. Andy Stewart, a huge Scottish entertainer. When I came to Canada, Gordon Lightfoot and the Guess Who. Then Neil Diamond and Elvis, the Eagles.

What makes you want to sing?
It’s my very being. I’ve been an entertainer since I was 15 years of age. It’s going on 38 years I’ve been playing Legions and around the world. There’s a deep internal drive. It’s a God-given talent that needs to be shared.

Where do you like to perform?
I perform many different ways. The Caledonians play stage shows; that’s the top professional level of what I do. I’ve played in Scotland, Vegas, Disneyworld, New York, East coast, West coast. But I also play Highland Games and I enjoy that. I also love Legions and war tunes because it gives people memories of times past. When people come in, they come from all walks of life, but they go out saying they had a good afternoon with Bob.

When do you find time for yourself?
I’m a therapeutic music recreationist at Regional Mental Health Care at St. Joseph’s in London. With that, I’ve done a lot of re-teaching musical instruments to clients who in turn go out and perform at seniors’ homes.

Why did you become a musician?
It’s my destiny. When I was a boy, our family would have get-togethers and music was always there. Everyone would pick up an instrument and then I took lessons. Eventually it’s all you do. Music is the very essence of who I am. It shows the minute I step on stage or when I talk to someone.

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Band Profile: Mike Fagan

Grand Bend Legion
May 26 3-6pm

Hometown: Originally from East Coast; currently London
Personal Style: All over the place. Started out playing classical; folk after school; session musician in L.A.; rock solo act in Canada.
Influences: Bob Dylan to Pink Floyd to Buddy Guy. Heavily influenced by jazz. I’m constantly studying that type of music.
What people can expect: At the Legion: Irish, older tunes, dance music from the swing era, 50s, 60s. At the clubs: Stone Temple Pilots, Tragically Hip, Black Sabbath, etc.

Interview and photo by Casey Lessard

Who blows your mind?
Miles Davis. What he did was took jazz and infused it with rock, which has become the focus of all musicians these days. Pink Floyd acknowledges that he was the inspiration for Dark Side of the Moon. I like Buddy Guy but that’s in my personal time.

What inspires you?
My kids; I have three. And my wife. My family is the source of the magic.

Where did you get your first big break?
When I was around 19 I was playing at the Kee to Bala (in Muskoka). I was the house band there and they asked me to open for a band called Max Webster (with lead singer Kim Mitchell). I had to walk on with just a guitar in front of this big crowd, and it actually went really well. That’s when I realized that I could make a go at it as a professional musician.

When is your favourite time of day?
Early morning, but I don’t see it very often in my line of work. I love the sunrise. The only time I see six or seven o’clock is when I’m on holiday, whereas most people try to avoid that when they’re on holiday.

Why do you do it?
I’m a musician. I don’t have a choice (laughs). It’s always called me and I just keep doing it. I decided a couple years ago to cut back on the traveling and have focused on teaching because I was away too much. So now I play three times a week, and I get a big kick out of teaching and watching the people I’m teaching on the verge of going pro.

Mike is working on a book called Campfire Guitar, which will be released in 4-6 months.

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Band Profile: Stone Angels

Oakwood Inn
May 18, 19, 20 8pm to 12am

The Stone Angels are Parkhill residents Gloria Martin (lead guitar, percussion and harmony) and Anjhela Michielsen (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboard and harmonica).

Interview and photo by Casey Lessard

Personal Style:
A: It seems like I’m attracted to something that’s really authentic and genuine. That transfers into all aspects of my life; not just music - also my personal life choices. It seems to be a whole lifestyle.
G: I’m a really soulful, reflective person. That carries over into my music and my life. I’m interested in the environment and social justice. I love animals and enjoy relating to people.

Influences:
A: Sarah McLachlan and Jewel definitely influenced my new immersion of music in the last eight years. Before that I was totally into musical theatre. But when I first played guitar I started out strumming Jewel songs and my style has evolved from that.
G: My parents were a big influence; all five of us as children got musical training and we eventually performed as a family. From country and gospel to folk rock and popular music, I have an appreciation for a wide range of music, and that’s reflected in our show. I love music with strong harmonies and groups that harmonize well together.

What people can expect:
A: They can expect to have a good time. We’re not a dance band, but they can expect to be entertained. They can sit back and enjoy and have a more intimate kind of concert.
G: We’ve been told it’s a classy show and that we have really strong vocals. It’s a stripped down show but it’s a really nice sound to listen to. They’ll hear a lot of their favourite songs with a new twist.
A: They know the music, but we add a signature sound that makes it Stone Angels.

Who’s in charge here?
A: I’m in charge of choice of music and arranging. A lot of the creative process is something that happens from us playing together. It’s all a process where we discuss everything.
G: We respect each other’s strengths and we defer to each other’s area of strength. I handle a lot of the business management and the public relations stuff.
What is the most common thing you hear from your audiences?
G: They love our sound.
A: They love the harmonies, love the way we sound together and the selection of music. They always comment that they love what we’ve done with the music.
G: They often comment as well about how professional our show is. They seem to really respect that.

Where was your first show together?
A: At the Grate in Parkhill, actually. We had done some weddings, but our first real venue was the Grate, which was a restaurant.
G: We did a party for our friend Lynn. It was a big birthday bash so the place was just filled. We performed for the night and had a really great reception. The Grate liked what we did and asked whether we wanted to come back and do something on a regular basis. Anj started doing some solo there and I joined in.
A: Singing covers alone can turn into glorified karaoke. Adding the second person allows you to be so much more creative in covering songs. You can add harmonies and two instruments and instrumentation, which helped me a lot with arranging the music.

When did you realize you could do this full-time?
A: We did a buskers’ festival and we had a great reception. We got second place in our first year.
G: We got first at the St. Thomas buskers’ festival the following year. After having a great reception at the Port Stanley buskers’ festival, we approached a small café called Jimmy C’s that had live entertainment. They gave us a regular gig and we got quite a following there and made friends. There we found a guy who was interested in managing us and we made a CD.

Why have you decided to remain in Southwestern Ontario?
A: We both grew up around here, so our families and friends are here. So we both feel comfortable in this area. This is the place we love to be. We’re in a hub; we’re not far away from a lot of things. We can still enjoy country living but we’re close to London, Stratford, Grand Bend and even Toronto. It’s all within driving distance.
G: What is difficult is doing the driving, the hours on the road late at night and all that’s involved in that. We just discovered over the years that that becomes a burnout situation.
You’re competing with all the locals in any of the cities. If they can hire a band and they’re earning the same as us, but we have to drive there, it’s not financially viable. So you want to get something as close to home as possible.
It’s difficult to find a partner whose voice blends well with yours, and when you find that you want to hold onto it. This is where we want to be and it hasn’t been attractive enough to go elsewhere.

Hear samples of the Stone Angels’ music at their website:
http://www.stone-angels.com

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