Students ready to take Timmins to the school of rock

The halls of Timmins High and Vocational School are alive with the sounds of electric guitars, drum kits, and passionate students. After months of preparation, the school’s band, The Headframes, is set to perform this Saturday, Jan. 18. The concert marks a milestone in reviving the school’s music program after years of disruption caused by the pandemic.

“We’re trying to build up the program,” said music teacher Curtis Clemence. “The kids are sounding pretty good right now, and I’m excited that we get to start something new and rebrand it.”

The pandemic had put a halt to Timmins High’s once-thriving music program. The departure of Barry Promane, who founded the Sonic Democracy program that preceded The Headframes, further slowed progress. “It was the flagship music program in the city, and then COVID happened,” Clemence explained. “During those first few years, no music was happening. By 2023, things started loosening up, and we could sing and play music again. I had to learn how to do all this.” Despite these challenges, the program is now flourishing once more.

The Headframes’ setlist features a vibrant mix of classic rock, pop, and country songs. While Clemence assigns two songs for practice, the rest of the repertoire is student-led, showcasing their growing technical and creative abilities. During a recent rehearsal of The Beatles’ Something, students worked on harmonies and adjusted sound levels, demonstrating their attention to detail and mastery of performance skills.

“I grew up listening to a bit of The Beatles, more of their popular songs, but I didn’t know this one,” said lead vocalist Shreya Gautam. “Mr. Clemence suggested it because he’s a huge Beatles fan.” Shreya, who picked up the ukulele during the pandemic, found the instrument to be a perfect fit. “I enjoy it as a hobby,” she added.

Music is a family affair for many of the students. Grade 12 pianist Sonya Jones began playing at the age of four and credits her siblings for inspiring her love of music. “All my older siblings are into music. My sister was a musical theatre major, and my brother was in a couple of bands,” she shared. The transition from classical music to rock and pop has been an exciting change for her. “In classical, a lot of the theory is chords, so it was about learning the variations of dominant chords and such,” she explained.

Beyond the performance aspect, students are also gaining insight into the technical and marketing sides of the music industry. Clemence emphasized the importance of these skills. “It’s about making it sound the best you can. It’s not intuitive. You have to know how to play your instrument, set up a PA system, and focus on stage presence. There’s a lot to it!”

Grade 12 student Tara Kiani has taken on the role of managing The Headframes’ social media and media outreach. “I want to be a journalist,” she said. “I’ve been in music classes since Grade 10, and Mr. Clemence saw I was responsible enough to handle the social media and our Instagram account.” For Tara, the role has been an exciting opportunity to learn about the promotional side of the music industry. “It’s cool to reach out to the media and use what I see on social platforms to market our band,” she shared.

The Headframes’ much-anticipated concert will take place on Saturday, Jan. 18, at 7 p.m. at Timmins High. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults. Students in Grade 8 and under can attend for free. The community is invited to come out and support these talented young musicians as they take the stage and bring the school’s music program back to life.

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