LETHBRIDGE – From strumming the guitar, to tickling the ivory, there’s no note too challenging for the kid rock band Diversified.
The group joined forces three years ago after a teacher at G. S. Lakie Middle School in Lethbridge decided to bring a few musically talented kids together.
Now the band members, who are all 14 years old, are all in grade 9. They attend Chinook High School, where they have continued their work, sharing their talents with the schools music program.
“We work really well together,” said lead singer Lauren Follett. “We are all great friends, it’s really easy to work with my band, it’s a blast.”
The group has grown in popularity in Lethbridge, playing a variety of venues around the city.
Drummer Maxwell Wiebe knew from the age of four that music would be a huge part of his life. He remembers what his parents said when he asked for his first a drum set.
“Automatically the answer was no right away, so I had to wait a few years,” he laughed.
The drummer was a late addition to the band, joining them just this summer. It was a dream come true since he first heard the group play two years ago.
“I was just envying everyone in the band and thinking about how awesome it would be to join,” Wiebe said. “Then I got a phone call during the summer and I was like ‘awe man this is going to be awesome’.”
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Music teacher Scott Davidson has been working with the group since they came to Chinook High. He said Diversified has made a huge impact on the schools music program, helping other musically inclined students expand their talents.
“I’ve seen a lot of growth in musicianship, but I’ve seen a lot of growth in character too, and I think that’s really rewarding for the whole music program,” he explained.
Of course their popularity points have increased when they stroll down the school halls.
“Sometimes we walk down the hallway and people are like ‘hey, you’re in that band Diversified’, and I’m like ‘yeah’, it’s pretty cool,” Wiebe said.
To learn more about the group, visit their website: Diversified.
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