The Veteranomes band perform their debut performance at Parkwood Institute

Music can change the energy of a room and in the Veterans Care Program at St. Joseph’s Parkwood Institute, it’s helping veterans return to their roots.

Music therapists Jill Kennedy and Emily McCarthy have spent years working alongside the veterans who call Parkwood Institute home. Over time, they began to realize: the talented group of musicians in their midst.

Some had spent decades on stage and in bands. Others had played only for joy. But they were there — a harmonica player, a bass guitarist, a singer and a drummer who hadn’t touched a kit in years.

John Kirkland, the harmonica player, has played most of his life — always by ear, never by note — and never in public until now.

He picked up the harmonica, guitar and even accompanied his father-in-law’s violin as a teen.  

“My favourite part is all of it — the people, the impact and the music,” says Kirkland.

Bill Bard, the bass player, has been playing for more than 40 years. He’s also skilled at playing piano, trumpet, baritone, tuba and bass. After playing soft rock with the Guelph Fleece Boys Band in his teens, he continued to play while he served in the Navy.  

Thanks to the generosity of donors through St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation, the team purchased a drum kit, encouraging Frank Labodi to return to the instrument he’d first picked up when he was seven.

Labodi is a lifelong musician who studied at the Ontario Conservatory of Music. He played in a band and performed at ethnic clubs, legions and at Parkwood Institute.  

“My favourite part is seeing the impact you’re having. It feels great to start again,” says Labodi.

On Wednesday afternoons, inside the Kent Lounge at Parkwood Institute, music began to fill the space and through practicing they found their singer, Jim Prouse.  

“One of our singers just wandered in, listened, and said, “I want to sing,” says McCarthy.  

Prouse, had spent decades in choirs but had never sung solo until now. 

“At that point, we realized we had everything we needed. Drums, bass, harmonica, a vocalist — plus Emily on guitar and vocals and myself on piano,.” says Kennedy.

Over the next few months, the group rehearsed consistently, building a setlist of familiar classics — tunes that sparked memories, confidence and camaraderie.

The idea of performing came from the veterans themselves.

“I like singing but the best part is the friendship and the people.” shares Prouse.

For their debut performance in late November, 30 dance students from H. B. Beal Secondary School joined the band for a dance-party-style concert, creating a joyful intergenerational event.

“It’s a big deal to see each of these talented individuals come together to make this band possible,” Kennedy says. “They work incredibly hard. And they’re proud of what they’ve created.”