Mustang Sally: The Kids are Alright

Tickets are still available for two evening shows this week by Mustang Sally, Korah Collegiate and Vocational School’s student rock and roll band.

Greg Ryckman, who oversees the program, said this year’s show is full of songs from every era of rock — from Heartbreak Hotel and I want to Hold Your Hand to Smells Like Teen Spirit and 7 Nation Army.

“The show they put together is technically one of the hardest and certainly one of the best,” said Ryckman. “It really is phenomenal what they are doing.”

The students begin their Mustang Sally careers in Grades 7 to 10 as part of Korah’s Rising Stars program. Then in Grade 11 and 12 they graduate into the Main Stage program. 

The band that performs in the annual concerts is usually made up of those Grade 11 and 12 Main Stage students, but this year Ryckman invited students from Grades 8 through 10 to play on stage.

Ryckman said some of the younger students were able to learn a lot on their own while at home during the pandemic lockdowns.

“The ones that became focused during COVID excelled, for sure,” said Ryckman. “It’s really incredible what these kids can do. They’re better than I am.”

This week, Mustang Sally has been playing in front of literally thousands of local elementary school students in preparation for the night time shows this Thursday and Friday at the school.

Ryckman said those shows really help build up the confidence of the students in the band and has allowed them to put together a really tight set of songs.

“The difference I see from the rehearsal room to the first performance to even today is huge. It’s just gigantic,” he said.

Those shows in front of elementary school students have the added benefit of getting the next generation of musical kids interested in coming to Korah to join the band.

“They see that and that’s how it happens,” said Ryckman. “We have had people move cities just so their child can come to Sault Ste. Marie to be a part of Mustang Sally.”

And once those students and their families become a part of the Mustang Sally family, Ryckman said many stay involved and continue to support the program.

“I get alumni who were in it 10 years ago who come back and help me with rehearsals and take over certain things. I have parents whose kids haven’t been in it for 10 years who still come and sell tickets or sell t-shirts,” said Ryckman. “They see what the program has done for their child.”

The evening shows begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday April 27 and Friday April 28. Tickets are $10 at the door and children under 12 are free.