It has been 30 years since the Evolutionary Band first rocked the halls of Confederation Secondary School.

To celebrate, Evolutionary will entertain 800 students from Rainbow Schools as it kicks off its concert season on March 11 at noon in the Confederation Secondary School Gymnasium.

“Few bands can say they have existed for this long, so this is a huge milestone,” music director Norm McIntosh, who founded the band in 1979, said in a press release.

“It is a tribute to the passion, determination and talent of the hundreds of young people who have been part of Evolutionary over the past three decades.”

In 2007, the band set the Guinness World Record for the deepest concert at 3,400 feet underground.  The band was also recognized as the Junior Citizens of the Year in 2008 at the Community Builders Awards of Excellence. 

Evolutionary has enjoyed visits by many popular recording artists, including The Tragically Hip, Hedley, Keisha Chante, Sloan, Suzie McNeil, The Trews and Three Days Grace.

They have also received “rave reviews” from music publishing executives Mike McCarty and Deane Cameron, and acclaimed record producer Bob Ezrin, the press release said.

The 24 piece rock band includes four vocalists, a seven piece rhythm section, three trumpets, four trombones, two alto saxes and four tenor saxes and is supported by a 16 member stage crew.

“Not only do these talented students provide first-rate entertainment, they also deliver important messages to young people,” McIntosh said.  “As the official ambassadors for Action Sudbury, they are Northern Ontario’s No Drinking and Driving Band.”

The band tours from March until June, performing to over 8,000 students across Ontario.