The Vintage People, featuring 91-year-old keyboardist, play 1st rock 'n' roll gig in Regina
CBC
Eleven weeks of practice culminated for five seniors over the weekend at the Vintage People's debut concert.
The show was the conclusion of School of Rock Regina's first-ever senior program. With the gig a success, the organization plans to run it back in the fall.
The program is for musicians of any skill level over the age of 60.
Marge Schulz, the 91-year-old keyboardist for The Vintage People, said music has always been a part of her life.
"My dad actually taught me my first song on the piano at age seven," Schulz said. "This is a new adventure and it makes me feel very challenged, because I've never played with other instruments. It's taught me how to listen."
The band played popular tunes like Please Mr. Postman, Long Cool Woman and Heartbreak Hotel. Schulz said she enjoyed the program, but would like to play some western music next.
"I taught piano lessons for 35 years, and to be honest, at that point in time it was classical music, which was never my favourite," Schulz said. "So when I got let loose and I could learn, I haven't played any classical for years, I just did it to get through and get my degree. I just like lots of rhythm. I don't care for slow music."
Matt Totten, the music director at School of Rock, works with developing musicians of all age groups, some as young as four.
"I think [the seniors] have probably got the best attitudes out of all of those groups," Totten said. "This program attracts that type of person. It's something that's well worth doing, not only for the musical benefits, but from the social aspect of it as well. I see it as a hugely positive thing for everybody who's involved."
The school offers lessons for guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, piano and singing, with nine unique distinctions for ages, skill levels and lesson delivery. According to Totten, the advent of the senior program came from an available time slot and finding the demographic that could fill it.
Dick Lamb, The Vintage People's 78-year-old drummer, is originally self-taught.
"I was just sitting at home with some time on my hands. I was approached by Laurie to come out and drum, and I said, yeah, that that piques my interest, and I had the skill," said Lamb. "It opens up a whole new world to you. I met three other people I didn't know. You can admire the skills that these guys have got. It's just amazing. You meet new people, new adventures, and you're back rocking again, so it's cool."
The Vintage People was rounded out by Melanie Jackson on vocals, Rick Wildfong on bass and Blair Kessel on guitar.
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