By Ben Rowe
The national broadcast of tonight's Juno Awards, honouring the best in Canadian music, will have a local twist.
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Two members of Canadian rockers Sloan appeared at Northeastern Secondary School in Garson March 21.
They presented over $10,000 in instruments and equipment to the schoolÂ?s music department and performed with members of the schoolÂ?s travelling rock and roll band Evolutionary.
The musical windfall was awarded to the school by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS).
Norm McIntosh, head of NortheasternÂ?s music program, said Sloan was chosen by CARAS to present the instruments and equipment to the school.
Â?ThatÂ?s part of the CARAS deal, that once the school has been awarded, a major Canadian artist or major Canadian band comes and presents it,Â? said McIntosh.
Not only did Sloan members Patrick Pentland and Chris Murphy thrill members with their visit, but they also brought along a camera crew to record the presentation, as well as film skits and performances with the school band.
The two Sloan members played several renditions of the bandÂ?s hit If it Feels Good, Do It with the school band.
Evolutionary, a 25-piece band, includes a seven-piece rhythm section, four trumpets, four trombones and a total of six saxophone players.
They have been performing for nine years, with a revolving cast of Northeastern students between 13 and 19 years of age.
The band was also filmed spending time with the students all day, McIntosh said.
Â?They did filming of us playing the Sloan tune on stage a couple times, but they also filmed the Sloan guys in a mock food fight with some students at the school, and in a classroom setting,Â? McIntosh said.
Much of what was captured on film will be shown on the Juno telecast tonight. The film will be introduced by members of Sloan, one of CanadaÂ?s most popular and critically-acclaimed rock bands.
Eighteen-year-old tenor sax player Vicki Newman, along with most of the school, will be watching the Junos.
Â?It was a really great experience,Â? said Newman, vice-president of Evolutionary.
Â?They were very nice, original, down-to-earth people.Â? said McIntosh. Â?You wouldnÂ?t want to meet two more down-to-earth guys; absolutely no ego, cool. Laid back.Â?
Â?It was really good for our band to see, because I think they get this impressionÂ?they watch too much MuchMusic and they think these arenÂ?t real people or something.Â?
However, the future of the new instruments and equipment is up in the air. Northeastern is closing this June because it has low enrolment , Â?compliments of Mike HarrisÂ?, said McIntosh.
The equipment will move to whatever school he is assigned to next fall. HeÂ?s hoping to return to Confederation Secondary School in Val Caron.
Â?ThatÂ?s where the band (Evolutionary) was born back in 1979, the original band. It would be kind of nice to go home,Â? said McIntosh.
The Junos air at 8 pm on CBC.
