Hundreds of Thames Valley high school students will show off their musical talents at Budweiser Gardens Thursday night.
The annual “Variety Is…” concert, sponsored by Classic Rock Free 98.1 and London Life, gets underway at 7:30pm. The annual show features musical acts from public high schools across the region.
Sir Wilfred Laurier Secondary music teacher and show spokesman Shawn Chabot says it allows the students to take their acts from the school auditorium to a big venue stage.
"It gives them the opportunity to get a first-person perspective of their favourite pop bands or rock bands, because a lot of them go there to see concerts that are put on professionally," he says. "This gives them a chance to be a part of that experience."
Chabot says the students will have the help of professional audio technicians and staging, giving them an experience they won't soon forget. He adds it will great for the audience too.
"This year we have music ranging from African drumming, choirs, music featured in Disney movies, to School of Rock excerpts, and then your traditional concert band repetoire and vocal ensembles. So there's a little bit for everybody," Chabot says.
Tickets are available at the door. They are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.
A crowd of over 1,000 people is expected at the show.