Former Mapleton resident Sam Stark credits his success as drummer with the popular Canadian band Ascot Royals to his roots in Mapleton Township.
Stark and his family moved to Mapleton in the summer of 2001. While attending Maryborough Public School, Stark made friendships that continue to this day and focus around music, with Stark’s interest in drumming at the forefront.
“Grades 7 and 8 at Drayton Heights offered a music program with an opportunity for me to play the flute. Although I didn’t get to play the drums, my parents realized my interest in drumming and bought me my first set of drums for Christmas,” Stark said.
Norwell District Secondary School’s music program gave Stark a chance to learn another instrument, the trombone.
“I was pretty disappointed, but decided to stay in the music program. By Grade 10 I was playing the drums,” Stark commented. “Music teacher, Mrs. Murray taught me the essentials of reading music and encouraged me to practice.”
When asked to play in the praise band at Drayton Reformed Church, Stark jumped at the opportunity.
“Overall this was a good start for me and I’m thankful for the early experience that I got playing live with the praise team. The great musicians in the Drayton area taught me lessons in drumming, dynamics and tempo,” Stark said.
After attending a music information session in high school about the music program at Metalworks Institute in Mississauga, Stark toured the campus, met with staff and decided to apply for the 2010-11 school year. Accepted into the program, Stark’s classes included music theory, history and workshops on microphone set up and how to use a mixing console.
Metalworks Institute is the educational division of the world renowned Metalworks Studios, established in 1978 by the Canadian band, Triumph. Metalworks’ world class facility houses six studios and is considered a leader in the recording studio business in Canada.
The educational division of Metalworks opened in 2005 with one program. It has expanded to include 12 full-time programs.
While attending classes at Metalworks, Stark met Ascot Royals lead singer Jimmy Chauveau. The two talked about their common interests in music and pop culture. Between classes Chauveau mentioned he was in a band and their drummer had just left.
Stark auditioned and five years ago on Halloween weekend, he travelled to Brantford to play with the Ascot Royals for the first time.
Chauveau and his keyboard-playing brother Ben, came to Canada from England to pursue their dream of forming a band.
“Follow what you love and do it for the rest of your life … do what you love each day as if it’s your last” was the advice the Chauveaus’ dying aunt gave them. The brothers met guitarist Tal Vaisman of Israel who immigrated to Canada, leaving the life of a combat soldier in Gaza behind.
Canadian bassist Scott Page joined the three musicians and formed the Ascot Royals.
A turning point for the band after Stark joined was the night their equipment was stolen. The band met to discuss their future and Stark said, “Creating and sharing music with the message of living life to the fullest is very important to the band members.
“Living for the moment, the night and being free spirited are all values the band lives by. There is also a sense of forging ahead and looking to the future. We all agreed this band is our passion, all saw eye to eye on that and decided to keep going.”
The band has toured Canada’s east coast, performed at the Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles, and at music festivals at Young-Dundas Square, Toronto. Horseshoe Tavern and the Hideout are among its regular Toronto stops.
“Our single, The Best is Yet to Come, a song about when going through difficult times, just keep on going and everything’s going to be okay, has been receiving regular air play on several radio stations,” Stark stated.
“I am thankful for all the love and support I have received from my friends and family. The best is yet to come.”
After finishing the album, the band plans to tour in the new year. More information on the band can be found on Facebook and on the band’s website (ascotroyals.com).
