GUELPH – Local high school students are set to channel Alanis Morissette’s anger and angst on stage in an effort to raise money for the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada.
They will perform her album Jagged Little Pill in the auditorium at Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute (GCVI) on Jan. 23.
It’s the third consecutive year Lane Osborne’s vocal class has held the concert, and they’ve raised about $6,000 for the sanctuary thus far.
The first concert took place after sanctuary volunteers Bob and Judy Taylor donated two guitars to GCVI’s music program.
The Gibson Les Paul and Fender Telecasters were valued at about $7,000, and the class wanted to show its appreciation through a benefit concert.
The Taylors still volunteer at the sanctuary and spokesperson Dale Gellatly said the couple is thrilled their donation continues to support the donkeys.
The sanctuary, located in Puslinch, is home to over 100 donkeys, mules and hinnies who were unwanted, neglected or abused.
The donkeys depend on donations, Gellatly said, so fundraising initiatives are important.
And the impact goes further than the money raised, as the concerts help raise awareness about the sanctuary, she added.
“It’s great to see young people using their voices to make a difference,” Gellatly said.
Students Charles Eardley and Ronin Bonneveld say they are excited to support the donkeys.
Eardley visited the sanctuary regularly as a kid and Bonneveld grew up with a donkey on a farm between Elora and Guelph, so there’s a soft spot in his heart for the “interesting and funny” animals.
Along with a few of their peers, Eardley and Bonneveld will perform the first two songs on the album: All I Really Want and You Oughta Know.
Between the rest of the students, every song on the album will be included in the concert.
They’ve been practicing whenever they can – during class, at lunch time, after school and on weekends.
Bonneveld said he sometimes feels bad for Osborne, who constantly shows up outside teaching hours to help them rehearse.
From left: Ronin Bonneveld, Charles Eardley and Allie Snyder. Photo by Robin George
The vocal class will be joined by other musicians on stage: GCVI’s guitar class and Finney Lane, a band made up of GCVI students.
Finney Lane is taking on a lot of work, Eardley said, even though they aren’t in either class.
Bonneveld said it’s been a great experience, as there are so many talented students at GCVI, a school known for its music and art programs.
“Getting to perform with a band, for me, is exceptional – just wonderful,” he said.
As an orchestral viola player, he’s used to being in the background, and is looking forward to being front and centre this time, especially opportunities to interact with the audience.
Eardley is eager to bring the album to life – something Osborne has been encouraging the students to keep in mind while on stage.
Performing is an act, she said, and it’s important to stay in character and get into an emotional space where they’re invested in the lyrics and feeling of the song.
People in the audience will be expecting a typical student performance, she said, but the GCVI students are better than typical.
“Flip the script,” Osborne said. “Knock them off their chairs – be like, ‘Boom!’”
Eardley said part of why GCVI has so many talented students is the excellent teaching, especially from Osborne and music teacher Dan Austin.
“They push us to be our best, and really make the class experience fun,” he said.
Hundreds of people attend the concert each year, not just to support the students and sanctuary, but because they know it will be a good show, Eardley said.
Admission is pay what you can, and all of the money raised goes to the donkey sanctuary.
Doors open at 7pm, and the performance will run from about 7:30 to 9:30pm.
Everyone is welcome to attend, and explicit language has been removed to make the show appropriate for all ages.
There is parking in the GCVI lot off Yorkshire Street, and people can enter through the doors near Yorkshire and Paisley Street.
For information about a wheelchair accessible entrance, contact Osborne at lane.osborne@ugdsb.on.ca.
