Mustang Sally, a group of talented young local singers and musicians from Korah Collegiate, entertained an audience at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre with a performance Thursday evening.
The concert, sponsored by New York Fries, marked the start of 2016 Bon Soo Winter Carnival events.
The official, traditional Bon Soo grand opening, consisting of fireworks, takes place tonight at 7 p.m. at the carnival's Winter Playground at Mill Market.
Mustang Sally was created in 2003 by Greg Ryckman, Korah Collegiate music teacher, who continues to teach while serving as Mustang Sally's music director.
Mustang Sally’s lineup changes partially each year as Korah’s students graduate from high school, and since its creation the group has given many performances both locally and elsewhere in Ontario.
The band certainly knows its rock and pop, but Thursday's performance was a return to its blues roots.
"We started out as a rhythm and blues band…I'd say we've given about 1,400 shows in the past 12 years, it's been hugely successful," Ryckman told SooToday.
"The students spend countless hours of time on music outside the amount of time required of them…they always show up ready to play."
The group tours as part of the students' high school curriculum, its next tour running from April 25 to May 1, with stops in Toronto and London.
Ryckman and Mustang Sally (currently consisting of nine band members and four crew members) also hope to visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland before returning home.