The 19th annual Peter Skene Ogden Secondary Amnesty Concert provided musical talent with a point on March 15.
Intermixed among performances by many talented students was a heavy message: not everyone has access to safe, affordable, drinking water.
The yearly concert is put on by the school's Amnesty Club, inspired by the actions of the global human rights organization Amnesty International.
"I think it really raises awareness in the school that not everybody has the same rights that we have in Canada and I think it's really important," says Lydia Kinasewich, a member of the club. "A lot of people wouldn't know about Amnesty and the human rights violations that take place without the concert. It's become a tradition in our school so it really helps raise awareness that way."
Student members of the club get together to decide what cause the concert would support. In past years the club has donated to the local food bank or raised awareness about children's education.
"A lot of us in our classes had been learning about the lack of clean water that people have globally, so it's been on our minds," says Kinasewich. "We thought that this was an important issue to address."
Every year, the money raised by the concert is donated to a different organization. This year, the club raised $296. The money will go towards Splash, an organization that works to create safe, sustainable water projects in places in need.
A powerpoint and video showcased during the concert provided information about water access issues faced by people around the world.
Additionally, Haylie Jones performed an original song encouraging attendees to "take action."
The lyrics of the song, entitled You Know asked the crowd "have you ever wondered what it's like to be in need?" while at the same time pushing them to make a difference: "Every move you make, another life you'll save, so why not take action?"
The concert finished on a high note with the band School of Rock, made up of teachers, performing a set in front of enthusiastic students.
In the end, however, the concert was more than just a musical showcase.
"I feel that human rights are very important and everyone deserves to have the same rights and to be treated equally," says Kinasewich.