SSO making rock ‘n’ roll dreams come true for local choir

Who hasn’t fantasized about being a singer in a rock ‘n’ roll band? For the students in St. Joseph High School’s choir those dreams are about to become a reality as they join the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra and Jeans ‘n Classics in One Vision: The Music of Queen. Music teacher Shaun Bzdel knew the performance would open up a world of music for his students.

“Once they nail it, you can see the glow on their faces.”

We Will Rock You! Students from the St. Joseph High School choir ready to take the stage with the SSO. (Photo Provided)

“We’ve made this music a part of our first term, it actually helped us attract 12 new members to the choir and, unlike other choral music, these are songs the students are eager to practice both as a group and on their own,” says Bzdel.

Music teacher Shaun Bzdel made Queen’s music the focus of his semester. (saskmusic.ca)

“We study the cultural and historical impacts, how they were written, and what they mean. Once they nail it, you can see the glow on their faces.”

This concert is will get the audience up out of the seats dancing and singing along.

“We planned this concert, specifically in January to pull our audience out of the post-holiday slump,” says SSO CEO and creative producer Mark Turner. “This concert is much more of a rock concert atmosphere. The musicians love the energy in the room. It’s just so much fun.”

“This is an experience they will remember forever.”

The ensemble, under the direction of guest conductor Shah Sadikov, will bring the iconic songs to life including Radio Ga Ga, We Will Rock You, and of course, Bohemian Rhapsody. For Bzdel, this is a chance to build the excitement for performance and inspire his students.

“This is an experience they will remember forever. It builds their musical experience, matures them,” says Bzdel. “For some there may be nerves but, once they hit the stage and experience that adrenaline rush, it becomes part of their character. There’s nothing better than seeing the kids perform after months of hard work and knocking it out of the park.”