Young Musicians.
Big Sound!
Different Decades. Different Sounds.
One Stage.
Turn it Up.
Sound Academy is a high-energy youth rock ensemble from Madoc, Ontario — think "School of Rock," but the original. Founded by music director Jamie Sharpe nearly 30 years ago, long before the movie made the idea famous, Sound Academy has always been a home for the "hallway rockers": students who love music but never quite fit into a traditional school band program.
About 35 students in grades 7–12 make up the ensemble, including a rock band, choir, and vocal soloists — plus a full student crew who run the show from load-in to load-out.
This isn't a program where kids just show up and play. Students manage the sound, the stage, and the logistics, learning skills that go way beyond music.
More Ways to Support SA!
Anthem Night - Belleville Senators Game
Sunday, October 4, 2026 @ 3pm
Congratulations to the students of SoundAcademy (CHS) on a fantastic performance of the Canadian National Anthem at the Belleville Senators game! A great experience and a proud moment for the group.
Monday, November 16
5pm to 8pm
Support Sound Academy while enjoying a night out at Boston Pizza Belleville! Join us Monday, November 16 from 5–8 PM for our Sound Academy fundraiser. Dine in or order takeout, and a portion of sales will go directly toward supporting our students and future performances.
Good food, great company, and a simple way to support Sound Academy.
Sound Academy is heading to Montreal! This trip will give our students the chance to experience live music, explore the city, and make some great memories together. It’s an exciting opportunity to learn, connect, and celebrate music outside the classroom.
Stay tuned for dates and more information.
Sound
Check
Here Us Live - Straight From The Stage
Video by Cadence Wright
Our Philosphy: "Turn it up to 11!"
Inclusion matters — students with little to no formal training can, with hard work, deliver a world-class show
Everyone belongs here — we build a space for the hallway rockers to develop their skills
Real outcomes — alumni have gone on to careers in music performance, sound engineering, recording, and broadcasting
The Screen Break Initiative
Canadian youth spend an average of 5.2 hours a day on their phones. On tour, students commit to "phone fasting" from afternoon until morning — trading screens for real conversations, shared experiences, and genuine connection with the people around them.
A Canadian Soundtrack
The six-show tour features a set list built almost entirely around Canadian artists, celebrating the music and stories that help define our national identity.
While in Treaty 7 territory, students will connect with Indigenous youth organizations, including United Sport & Cycle Aboriginal Youth (USAY), for cultural exchange, storytelling, and shared musical experiences. The goal isn't just to perform — it's to listen, learn, and build real relationships.
Truth and Reconciliation
Along the way, students will explore:
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Studio Bell — National Music Centre
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Heritage Park Historical Village
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Royal Tyrrell Museum
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Calgary Zoo
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Banff and Lake Louise
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Activities surrounding the Red Deer Pro Rodeo
Learning Beyond the Classroom
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35 student musicians and crew, grades 7–12
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6 live performances across Alberta
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Dates: May 26–31, 2027
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Cultural exchange programming in Treaty 7 territory
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Student-led production from setup to teardown
Tour Snapshot
Students and families are covering the majority of the tour costs themselves, and smaller community/band fundraisers will help close some of the gap. Even so, we still need to raise a significant amount to make sure every student can go, regardless of their family's financial circumstances.
That's where you come in. We'd love for your business to be part of this journey, and we've put together three sponsorship tiers so you can support us at whatever level makes sense for you.
Your sponsorship helps cover:
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Flights and ground transportation across Alberta
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Safe accommodations and meals for 35 students
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Sound and backline equipment rentals for six live shows
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Cultural exchange programming with Indigenous youth in Treaty 7 territory
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Keeping the tour accessible for every student, no matter their financial situation
Every dollar goes directly toward getting these kids on stage — and giving them an experience they will remember for the rest of their lives. If you'd like to sponsor the tour or just have questions, we’d love to hear from you.
Help Us Get There