Exciting times for Confederation's Evolutionary Band

It's an exciting time for Confederation Secondary School's Evolutionary Band.

The band is being featured in January/February issue of Canadian Musician magazine, which profiles Canadian musicians and musical events.

In the past, the magazine has profiled Rush, The Sheepdogs, The Tragically Hip, Hedley and The Trews, among others.

“Sudbury can be very proud that our young homegrown musicians are being recognized both nationally and internationally,” said Norm McIntosh, director of the Evolutionary Band, in a news release. “We welcome the opportunity to share our success story.”

With a readership of more than 60,000, the magazine is distributed through subscriptions and across music stores and newsstands in Canada. The magazine covers a broad spectrum of artists from a variety of musical genres.

And, before the magazine hits newsstands, Rainbow District School Board is inviting the community to tune into Global on Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 8 p.m. for Canada’s Walk of Fame Awards broadcast, in which the video tribute on inductee Bob Ezrin will include the Evolutionary Band.

“We were absolutely thrilled when legendary producer Bob Ezrin invited the band to be part of this special presentation,” said McIntosh. “We taped a segment this summer and shipped it to Toronto for the live ceremony on Sept. 17.

It was a privilege for us to have the opportunity to honour an icon of the industry who is a fervent supporter of music education. In fact, he said our students were ‘beautiful living symbols of its importance’. It doesn’t get much better than that!”

Ezrin was so appreciative of Evolutionary’s contribution to the video tribute that he emailed Norm McIntosh immediately following the presentation.

“I just came from Canada's Walk of Fame ceremony where I saw the tribute video for the first time,” Ezrin wrote in his email. “You were off the charts. The audience loved it — but not more than I did. Wow! Thanks to you and all the kids from the bottom of my heart.

“I love Evolutionary and I am proud to be an honorary member of the band.”

Evolutionary is a 24 piece rock band that includes four vocalists, a nine-piece rhythm section, a 14 piece rock horn section and is supported by a 14 member stage crew.

As Action Sudbury’s “No Drinking and Driving” Band, Evolutionary has earned a solid reputation for its dynamic performances.

The band tours from March until June, performing in front of more than 8,000 students per year. Their shows include a high-energy, choreographed presentation with an exciting light display including lasers, strobes, smoke machines and intelligent lighting.