Ian Tushingham:

King Artist Profile

Ian Tushingham arrived for his interview with a bruised elbow from skateboarding in the morning, and his clothes packed up ready for his part-time job at Tim Hortons in the afternoon. He was having a typical sixteen- year-old summer day. Then he began to talk about his other life: as a classical guitarist.

Ian’s interest in playing the guitar began when he was very small. He remembered asking for guitar lessons when he was only
in grade two. His parents had one condition: he must learn the piano first and get the necessary foundation skills in music. After
about a year Ian had “had it” with tickling the ivories and longed for a chance to pluck strings instead.

Finally, when he was just eleven years old, Ian signed up for guitar lessons with Hugh Barnett. He studied first the electric guitar and then the classical. After more than five years, he still considers Hugh his mentor and takes regular lessons. He is working towards the exam in Grade 8 Classical Guitar with the Royal Conservatory of
Music. Hugh recently described Ian as an “up-and-coming guitarist and a fantastic person.”

Ian’s musical career at King City Secondary School has taken another road. Since the only guitar course offered at the school is beginner, he chose to study the trombone instead. He plays in the Jazz Band and the Concert Band. When the school music department planned a trip to Europe last spring, Ian and his fellow bandmembers enthusiastically fundraised by selling popcorn and by holding a concert and silent auction at Rockford Bar and Grill. But they only raised enough money to send the choir and so, if Ian wanted to go along, he “had to sing.” Sing he did.

Ian described the school music trip to Europe in May as “the highlight of my teenage years.” (And he is only half-way through them!) The students visited London, Paris, Florence and Rome. They sang on the steps of Westminster Abbey, in front of the Louvre, and around several other ancient churches and historic sites. This was quite a change from Ian’s usual venues of the Schomberg Fair, the Arbour Restaurant, and the Humber River Shakespeare Company.

Playing classical guitar at the ASK Soirée 2009 was a highlight of Ian’s year. Even the chefs had trouble competing with his soulful rendition of Bach’s “Bourrée.” The ASK Board of Directors is also very
proud to have his input as a student director. Going into grade eleven, Ian’s future career and life plans are uncertain. But whether it is guitar, trombone, or even singing, we know there will be music there somewhere.

To hear an audio of this song click below and a new window will open.

The Humber

by Hugh Barnett

She was born in the wake of the ice mount’s last stand
In the woods of the great red oak tree
From there she takes passage through the south of the land
Paying tribute to the great inland sea
A footpath for first peoples, who with gentle light feet
Having been treading here for thousands of years
Till the white man came, taking skins beyond need
Pushing west through the unknown frontier
Then the Yanks had their day, and the Brits took retreat
And to her banks trekked the first pioneers
She was renamed the Humber, in the capital seat
And soon the mills began to push back the deer
From Caledon’s clay plains, to the kettle lakes of King
From the marsh fields south to the lake
Through boom time and bust, they forged their livings
Traced o’er in the steps of Brule
But we’ll remember La Salle, and the Seneca ghost
Of Teiaiagon where the blood fell like tears
And Hazel’s might, as she swept up the coast
And the river’s rage swelled with our fears
From all shores of the far reaching sea
Many people all colours and speech
Finding home and the freedom they seek
‘long the banks of the Humber where their children play together at peace