Since early October, the sounds of The Tragically Hip’s Ahead by a Century could be heard from the music room at École Poirier, as part of a project by a group of 30 students under the guidance of music teachers Sandi Arts and Ian Daykin.
The group met weekly during lunch hour to create, arrange, and perform their own cover of the Hip’s iconic tune as part of a nationwide music project.
The final product incorporates choral singing in English and French with instrumental parts played by the students on classroom instruments: ukulele, xylophone, penny whistle, guitar, cajon, tambourine and piano.
There is even a mashup with a riff from Stitches by Canadian singer, Shawn Mendez.
In its second year, the CBC contest encourages students to cover a Canadian pop tune from a selected list. A panel of judges awards prizes in various categories, but the participants and teachers alike gained much from the rewarding process of collaboration and creativity.
The students’ pride in accomplishment was evident in every rehearsal, and can be seen on its YouTube video, along with over 550 submissions from across the country.
The École Poirier CBC Music Class is hoping to perform its song live at its upcoming Christmas concert.