"There is no doubt in my mind that music makes the world a better place. To be involved in an event such as yours gave me a welcome reminder of how important music is to folks of all ages. The opportunity to participate and work towards a common goal is a lesson that serves one well at any stage in life. Thanks again to all involved."
Josh Finlayson > The Skydiggers
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"The concert was a very enjoyable experience for everyone involved. For us it was very flattering and rewarding to hear our songs fleshed out with the added instrumentation and textures that Dave's arrangements provided, and for the students it was an opportunity to perform as peers with a professional popular music group after setting a goal and preparing diligently to achieve that goal."
Andy Maize > The Skydiggers
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"Their playing and attitude and personality blew me away. Great people with great futures in whatever. I hope to see many of them down the road. Doing the show made me appreciate having been around for so long. I was glad to stay together long enough to be involved in your project. Hopefully, all of Canada will know about it. I know that we'll be spreading the word wherever we go."
Dave Bidini > The Rheostatics
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"The Rheostatics involvement with Centennial Secondary School's 'Arts Offstage' program was honestly one of the highlights of my musical career. It was fun, exciting, and I felt like maybe we were directly inspiring some young musicians. Dave Reed wrote charts for 21 of our songs, and taught music lessons based on our music, so all we had to do was show up, rehearse, play hockey, and perform, backed by a 30-member choir and a 23-member stage band! I never studied music in high school, but I think I might have if there were programs like this. I hope 'Arts Offstage' continues for a long time and works with a wide variety of live bands. I also hope that other music teachers follow Dave's example to come up with such great ideas, and follow them through so well. I know the Rheostatics would jump at the chance to do something like this again."
Don Kerr > The Rheostatics
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"It was an enormous pleasure to play with Dave Reed, the CSS Band and Choir. To hear some of the horn and flute parts from the various records brought to life by the students was exciting for me and the new arrangements were very energetic and thoughtful. I also loved hearing the choir, there were some genuinely spine tingling moments for me and my band as well."
Ron Sexsmith
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"Two of the main reasons I continue to perform as a singer are for the love of music and for the hope of having a positive interaction with the people around me. The time we spent with the CSS band and choir last week more than achieved both of those goals. Not only was it an amazing musical experience ? the arrangements were beautiful and the students really nailed their parts, but it was also a lot of fun! What a great group of hard-working and energetic young people. I'd do it again next week if they asked!"
Roberta Carter Harrison > The Wild Strawberries
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"Dave - We had a great time with you, your family and your school. Thanks so much for inviting us and treating us so well. It was a thrill to do that gig"
Andrew Cash > The Cash Brothers
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"We had such an unforgettable time with you, your wife and your students last week. Please send everyone my love and thanks. Keep in touch."
Jose Miguel Contreras > By Divine Right
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"Thank you for such an honest musical experience. Please mention to your students what a true honour it was for me and my guys."
Hawksley Workman