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By Ian Gustafson

Rock on

Eastview Middle School Rock Band program to hold concert fundraiser on June 10

Jun 4, 2025 | 4:49 PM

The Eastview Middle School Rock Band program will perform at Bo’s Bar and Grill next week for its spring concert fundraiser.

On Tuesday, June 10 from 6 to 9 p.m. the concert will feature students from the program as well as the inter-school After School Rock Band, and students of Rock Band North, which includes Normandeau, G.H. Dawe, and Glendale Schools.

Dan Barton, one of the founders of the Rock Band program which has operated for 16 years, said they’re holding the fundraiser because they want the program to not only grow but to be sustainable.

“The three of us as instructors have been volunteering our time for a lot of it and we’re looking for ways to make it so we can keep growing it but also to give more opportunities for these kids,” he said.

More specifically, some of the funds will go to the instructors but they’ll also use it to take the students on field trips and purchase equipment such as guitars, drum kits, and even recording studio gear.

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The program started out as a lunch time program within Eastview Middle School but has grown to include students from schools across the local divisions. In total, they have approximately 50 kids involved in the program.

The organizers of the program want to make sure that it’s accessible to every kid in the area and also affordable.

They’ve had partnerships with Long & McQuade and Gutarz for Kidz, both local businesses who’ve donated instruments and other equipment to the program.

(RDPSD/ supplied)

Those who attend the performance can expect rock music played by the program from some of their favourite artists including The Rolling Stones, Nirvana, Metallica, and many more.

The program will be raising funds by charging $20 for entry but there will also be a silent auction. Those wanting to help out more can write a cheque addressed to Red Deer Public Schools with a note about rock band.

He explained the kids are extremely excited to play on the stage at Bo’s and said it is an unbelievable opportunity for them to play in front of a new crowd.

“Look at the list of artists who’ve played on that stage,” he said. “The kids are freaking out. They are really excited about it but we also made sure we had smaller concerts throughout the year to get some of those nerves out.”