Mr. Hidalgo is making a splash at Collingwood. Arriving in September as our new band director, he has seamlessly taken over the conducting baton of Collingwood’s many bands. While you might not know his name, you definitely know his character. Walking past the band room, you can’t help but be drawn to his magnetic energy.. When the music flows, you’ll notice that Mr. Hidalgo isn’t simply conducting. He is immersed in the music, savouring every harmony, and performing every bar. ​

It's evident that his passion translates to his students. Perhaps you have heard the bands carolling in the school hallways during Christmas, or honour Black History Month by playing through a medley of famous works. Every student and faculty member has experienced the life that Hidalgo breathed into our band program, making it bigger, brighter, and bolder. Thus, it is with pleasure that the Arts Mag explores the makings, philosophies, and inspirations of Collingwood’s very own, Mr. Hidalgo.

Mr. Hidalgo found his gift at a young age. At 7 years old, he nurtured his musicality by singing in Church. He took up the saxophone and piano in middle school. Hidalgo was fortunate that his parents were incredibly supportive of his dreams. Some of his first opportunities to perform on stage came from playing in the bands that his mother would sing in. Moreover, his mother would take hours of her own time to bring Mr. Hidalgo to venues when he was underage. He completed his post-secondary degree at MacEwan University’s music program, where he took one year of voice and 2 years of piano. 

His experience performing and dabbling through many instruments was a gateway for what was to come: performing and teaching. In the following 10 years, he joined various bands, including a rock and a mariachi band where Hidalgo became acquainted with Collingwood’s former band teacher, Mr. Smith. He remembers fondly the tours through many cities, with memorable ones being San Diego, Edmonton, and Toronto. He opened up his own music school, where he taught mainly piano, voice and guitar. ​

Mr. Hidalgo never planned on becoming a school teacher. Instead, he always know that he wanted to be a gigging performer. Thus, Mr. Hidalgo leaves two lives: you can find him diligently directing Collingwood’s bands in the school day and performing at venues in the evening. When asked about his unique experience as a gigging performer, he cites a couple of key aspects that allow him to be successful. Firstly, he notes the networking involved, whether that is to book a show or to leave a lasting connection with your audience. 

He needs to be personable and comfortable sharing his music, and his creations, with everyone around him. Mr. Hidalgo’s second conclusion is that “The atmosphere is what you make of it”. He believes that if a performer aims to deliver a good time to his audience, that’s what they’ll likely achieve. Thirdly, success and fun are dependent on organization. For every gig he books, he makes sure that he’s practiced the music performed, is ready to set up at the venue, and is a good team member when playing with a group. Prior to show time, he runs through his routine of warming up his voice and listening to something unrelated to music like a podcast or Youtube video. Pulling his mind off of the immediate performance helps his brain “relax and think differently”. Hidalgo believes that having a great performance is a fine line between structured and spontaneous. While the performer must have clear goals and help the show must flow smoothly, he must also know when to let loose and have fun. At the end of the day, he commits himself to gigging because he cherishes the opportunity to work with fellow musicians and to feel the momentum behind crafting wonderful music. ​
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Stemming from the wealth of experience Mr. Hidalgo has had as both a performer and an educator, he says with surety that any art form needs a sense of expression: mental, emotional, etc. That expression needs to be reciprocated by being expressed to something or somebody for it to have an impact. That’s why it’s important for Mr. Hidalgo to showcase his own music, his expression, at performances. He hopes that by listening to his music, the audience takes away something that enhances their life. It can be as simple as a lingering feeling of happiness or having made a connection with others. When asked the age-old question of the meaning of music, Mr. Hidalgo provides a thoughtful answer: “At the end of the day, everybody has some sort of talent or gift that they can offer to everybody. Art, like any other type of gift, is something that needs to be portrayed. It needs to be shared. Humans need to make connections and let music be a vessel for the greater good. When you have a gift and you’re able to express and share that, that becomes the sole purpose of your gift.” Lastly, Mr. Hidalgo gives a final piece of advice to aspiring musicians. He asks them to hone in on their gifts and to truly pursue what makes them happy because that will only bring more happiness. Accept who they are and what their gifts are because they will never be anyone other than themselves. ​