UNITY — Retired Unity Composite High School teacher, Greg Bick, has always been a rock band enthusiast as he not only played in a band himself, but he liked to teach and mentor kids in their love of making music.
Former students say they compared Bick’s love of music and his leadership in teaching other students to rock and roll as comparable to the character played by Jack Black in the 2003 hit movie, School of Rock.
Bick is running an extracurricular rock band program with high school students. He decided to highlight their talent by hosting a concert April 20 to raise funds for equipment, strings, sticks and other items.
To sweeten the bill for the night’s performance, Bick decided to entice his old band to participate.
The UCHS rock band, led by Greg Bick, has been practising since September and put on a show during the winter drama production.
Additionally, April 20, the band, Backstage Pass, finally got to put on their own show. They were followed by Mr. Bick’s old band Zygotes Gone Bad.
Audience members were treated to a fantastic show with songs ranging from the fan favourite, Stand by Me to Seven Nation Army.
Some of the performance highlights were noted as Raegan Husch’s solo piano rendition of Sound of Silence, the Aldred sisters’ performance of Roxy Roller,’Owen Gavel’s bass playing in The Chain and the crowd-pleasing performance of Don’t Stop Believing.
Audience members say the music was well performed and they were impressed with the ability of students to switch off on instruments, some playing several different instruments throughout the evening.
Backstage Pass was dubbed as an energetic show with aspects like performer Leo Heitt jumping off things or standing on speakers while playing or Raegan Husch waving those drumsticks around while playing. The crowd was encouraged to clap along with Hailey-lynn Aldred leading the charge taking command of stage presence in true rock and roll fashion. With the addition of smoke, lights and pyrotechnics, the audience gained the full rock band experience.
Zygotes followed with classic 1970s and ‘80s rock, delivered with high intensity. Keith Heintz’s bass growled, Greg Bick pounded the drums, and brother Geoff Bick pulled every guitar trick in the book and invented a couple of new ones. The Bick band played for free to help support the school band and their fundraising endeavours.
The crowd was appreciative, and a group of Luseland high school students started dancing, ensuring everyone in attendance had a great time.
Performers included Raegan Husch on keyboards, piano, drums and bass. Owen Gavel on bass and guitar. Carter Mutch playing guitar and bass. Hailey-lynn Aldred on vocals and drums. Leo Heitt on guitar and drums. Sage Aldred on vocals. Jada Poitras on keyboard. Hailey Sacher on vocalsand Ron Cordita on guitar. Naycie Feser-Surine provided lighting and sound and Jordyn Schurmann was on spotlight.
“This is planned to be an annual event with a hopeful longer headline set by students next year,” Bick said.
