Durham College’s (DC) singing president is back and this time he’s brought company! On February 10, DC president Don Lovisa joined musical forces with 49 members of the college community, including students, alumni, employees and governors, for 50 Guitars for 50 Years, a jam session in celebration of DC’s 50th anniversary in 2017.

Gathered on the steps of the Student Services building at DC’s Oshawa campus, 50 guitarists came together to strum, sing and celebrate their college with two musical numbers: “A Lesson Learned in Time,” an original song written by DC employee Justin Lant in honour of the college’s milestone year, and “Ahead by a Century,” a Canadian classic by The Tragically Hip.

• Watch the DC video for “A Lesson Learned in Time”.
• Watch the DC video for “Ahead by a Century”.

Lant, a member of the college’s Facilities Services department for nearly four years, is also a member of the popular local band 20 Amp. Aware of his talents as a musician and songwriter, Lant’s supervisor, Suzanne Chasse, approached him with the idea of writing a song that would draw on the theme of DC’s 50th festivities, The Start of Something Amazing. Lant, a guitarist and keyboardist, then wrote “A Lesson Learned in Time” to match the inspirational vibe of the celebrations, complete with lyrics based on the school’s history.

The 50 Guitars group also opted to play “Ahead by a Century,” the beloved anthem by Canadian rock legends The Tragically Hip, as a nod to the recently retired group’s legacy. The song was the last one performed by the band at their final concert on August 20, 2016.

Part of the college’s year-long celebration of its 50th year, the 50 Guitars for 50 Years jam session is one of many events DC is holding to bring its community together, raise awareness of its milestone year and spread the word about the upcoming 50th Homecoming Weekend festivities that will be held on Friday, September 8 and Saturday, September 9.

Community members, including DC alumni, employers and community partners, are encouraged to join the celebrations by visiting the college’s 50th anniversary website, where they can share favourite DC memories, explore the college’s history, watch videos and find a complete list of upcoming events.