The bands Glendale Junction and the Border Band will give concerts on two nights next week at the Williams Lake Studio Theatre.
The concerts will be on Tuesday, April 3 and Wednesday, April 4 from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Williams Lake Studio Theatre.
The public is welcome to attend.
Admission is by donation of a non-perishable food item.
There will be a concession available at the door with all proceeds going to the Glendale PAC.
In January, a group of 25 eager intermediate students from both the French Immersion and English programs at Ecole Glendale Elementary began a musical journey.
Under the guidance of LeRae Haynes, formerly of Borderline, the students have become a country-rock band know as Glendale Junction.
The name is very fitting as this has been a wonderful opportunity for students from both programs to come together and have fun!
The students are very enthusiastic and love that Haynes allows them to be the focus on stage.
The students not only sing, they introduce all songs and they play instruments as well!
The group has been meeting weekly for an hour with Haynes and various members of the Border Band in preparation for two evening concerts to be held in April.
The Border Band made up of five local musicians from a wide range of backgrounds and musical styles will be joining Glendale Junction on the stage.
The group played with local kids’ singing group Borderline in Williams Lake for several years, and the members also have other musical groups and projects.
Rick Kokesch plays 12-string acoustic guitar, and brings an easy country-style sound to the mix.
He is a strong believer in the value of a positive musical experience for kids and has enjoyed watching the increase in self confidence and skill in kids over the years as they work with seasoned musicians and enjoy fun stage opportunities.
Ken Yarema is the bass player for the group, and along with Dan St. Amand, lead electric guitar player, has been seen on stage over the years with a band most recently called Lava Lamp and the Mood Poodles, for events like the Harvest Fair and Performances in the Park.
Piano player and singing director LeRae Haynes is a partner in local music group Perfect Match, which plays concerts, fundraisers and dances throughout the Cariboo.
She also directed Borderline for 26 years — a group of 20-30 kids singing with a country/rock band.
Passionate about giving kids the chance to “sing in a band” in a positive environment, she is thoroughly enjoying this experience with Glendale Junction.
She also wrote two of the songs that the group will perform: The Frog and Hey Galahad.
Drummer Mark Law played with Borderline for two years and was delighted to come on board and play with Glendale Junction for these performances.
His daughter, Megan, sang in Borderline while he was the drummer, and the opportunity to play in a band with her was something he says he’ll never forget. “What a great experience to play music with kids — we all learn something and it’s always fun,” he said. “This experience is something that these kids will carry with them all their lives and I’m just glad to be a part of it.”