Remi Poliquin
Counsel
St. Edmund’s Celebrates a Decade of EdStock
by Marilyn Santucci
For the past 10 years, music has brought the St. Edmund Elementary School community together in a unique and unforgettable way. This June, the Beaconsfield school marked a major milestone as students, families, staff, alumni, and community members gathered for the 10th anniversary of EdStock, the school's beloved annual outdoor music celebration.
Held in the school yard, this year’s concert was fittingly themed Greatest Hits, drawing an audience of more than 1,500 people for an evening of music, memories, and community spirit.
What began as a simple classroom performance has grown into one of the school’s most cherished traditions. The roots of EdStock trace back to 2017, when students were learning about the music of The Tragically Hip. During a school performance, several parents joined the students on stage to accompany them on guitar. The collaboration was such a success that parents and staff agreed it should become an annual event.
Over the years, EdStock has evolved into a signature community celebration, with every student in the school participating in performances that span decades and musical genres. Accompanying the young performers each year is a parent band affectionately known as The Parental Unit, whose involvement has become a defining part of the event.
This year’s anniversary carried additional significance, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of The Tragically Hip’s iconic song Ahead by a Century. In a nod to the event’s origins, the concert concluded with the same song that helped inspire the tradition nearly a decade ago.
The connection to the legendary Canadian band is also personal for St. Edmund music teacher Jennifer Hayden. In 2016, Hayden had the opportunity to meet the late Gord Downie and personally deliver a collection of cards and gifts created by students before his passing.
For Hayden, EdStock represents far more than an annual concert.
“EdStock is such a beautiful tradition spanning 10 years now. Music has such an incredible ability to bring people together and to make memories that will last a lifetime,” she said.
A decade after its humble beginnings, EdStock continues to showcase the power of music to unite generations, strengthen community connections, and create lasting memories for everyone involved. As the final notes of Ahead by a Centuryechoed across the school yard, the evening served as both a celebration of the past 10 years and a reminder of the enduring spirit that has made EdStock a treasured tradition at St. Edmund Elementary.
