Blossoming musicians from the Ring System Music Studio have been plugging away at their vocals and instrumental segments for the 2014 Jingle Bell Rock concert, which is taking place this Saturday.
The annual performance is one of two that Ring System students put on each year, with all proceeds from the holiday show going to the Prince Rupert Salvation Army Christmas Appeal. Each year the show has collected more and more money for the Salvation Army, with $1,760 being raised at the 2013 performance.
This year’s Jingle Bell Rock concert will consist of a total of 55 young musicians who will take the stage in small and large groups.
“There’s going to be a whole variety of music—pretty much every style. Pop, rock, classic rock, country and some indie,” Ian Lihou, Ring System Music Studio instructor, said.
Lihou promised it will be the best show yet and said the young performers are going to bring down the house.
“There’s so many students that have been with me since the very beginning, and they’re all getting so good ... The arrangements and vocal harmonies are getting far more intricate, and some of the performances you’re going to hear will blow you away,” he said.
“It’s so gratifying to see the progression.”
The music studio’s yearly concerts are something Lihou’s students look forward to each year, despite all the extra hours required to organize them. Student Emily Mair has performed in seven of the group’s shows over the years, and said it’s always worth the effort.
“I remember being really nervous the first time we performed, but now it’s not a problem. It’s really fun; it’s not work for us,” Mair said.
The 2014 Jingle Bell Rock concert will take place at the Lester Centre of the Arts on Saturday, Dec. 20, with the performance starting at 7 p.m. Admission will be by donation.