Students rock with Prism

Photo: Contributed

Click here to view gallery

Photo: Contributed Photo: Contributed Photo: Contributed Photo: Contributed

Have you ever played air guitar or hold a hair brush like a microphone and sing to your favourite songs on the radio? What about fantasizing about being on stage with that artist or being the lead singer adored by hundreds, if not thousands of fans?

What if that wasn’t a dream?

On June 27, 2015, 160 music students from Wentworth Music in Kelowna, BC, will get the chance of a lifetime when they join Canadian rock legends Prism on stage for a two hour concert featuring songs from the band’s career of nearly 40 years!

This upcoming show at the Kelowna Community Theatre will be Wentworth’s 19th concert in a series proclaimed as the largest student rock productions in Canada. These shows provide Wentworth students the chance to look and feel like they are out on tour in a rock band. “We not only want to give the opportunity most of us didn’t get when we were young but we also want this to be a lifelong memory,” explains Noel Wentworth, Vice president of Education and Media at Wentworth Music. “It’s simply all about the story.”

This particular story began when Wentworth students were joined by Prism’s bassist Tad Goddard last June at their Canada Rocks tribute concert. After Goddard performed Armageddon, one of Prism’s hit songs, he told the rest of the band what a great experience it was and the seed was planted. (Watch it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytR8gLGRH5Y)

Wentworth goes on to explain that In a recent discussion with Goddard, they both hope that this performance will open up doors to create interest for other bands to be a part of these “passing the torch” presentations. “It’s so much more than a performance with rock stars!” exclaims Wentworth. “Through these concerts the students get to learn about music history and stylistic studies but what’s really cool is the band they are studying becomes their teacher for a semester.”
 
Wentworth has been cooking up this opportunity with Prism for some time, building on previous concerts and cameo appearances from the likes of Nancy Nash who performed harmony vocals on songs like Loverboy’s “Turn Me Loose” and Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer,” and Canadian rock legend Darby Mills, lead singer for the Headpins. 

Rather than feature Prism for just one or two songs, this will be Wentworth Music’s first performance with an artist for an entire evening.  “I’ve been dreaming of this night since I was in the 6th grade!” exclaims Wentworth as he talks about the vision he’s had for creating large events like this for his students. “I would practice guitar in my bedroom for hours thinking one day I could be on stage performing with the bands I was listening to.”

Wentworth touts another angle to these concerts that his team has been creating since 2006: all proceeds from these events are donated to help sick children at the Kelowna General Hospital. “It’s a kids helping kids community initiative,” explains Wentworth. “The students not only showcase their abilities in front of an often sold out audience of 850 seats but they also become the hero’s, learning that they can help their community simply by doing things that they are passionate about.” Thanks to local sponsors Interior Savings and K96.3, Kelowna’s Classic Rock, the Wentworth concert productions have proudly raised over $129,000 to date!

“I strongly encourage everyone to make it a night out and attend this concert,” says Kathy Conway, President and CEO of Interior Savings and co-sponsor of this event. “Not only will the talent of our local youth amaze you, but you will be inspired by what they are doing for kids in need.  What Wentworth has achieved through this event closely mirrors that which is so important to Interior Savings – helping youth realize their potential while also raising money to improve health and wellbeing in our communities.” 
 
Interior Savings and Wentworth Music present a Tribute to Prism with Special Guests Prism, Saturday June 27, 2015, at The Kelowna Community Theatre. Show time 7pm, doors open at 6pm. Tickets available at Wentworth Music reception in Kelowna. $19 adult, $12 Student (plus gst).