'It's been a big part of my healing': Prophets of Music honours 2 musicians killed in Brentwood stabbings

In the dark days afterJosh Hunter andZack Rathwell died,Josh's father decided he needed to do something to honour his son andsurvive his grief.

"Within a couple of days I started thinking about something I could do to help get through this absolutely overwhelming feeling of grief and loss," said Barclay Hunter. "It's not that you ever get through it, it's just finding a way to bring meaning into your day."

• Joshua Hunter, Zackariah Rathwell remembered by Calgary musicians

BandmatesHunter, 23, andRathwell, 21, were stabbed to death alongsideLawrence Hong,KaitlinPerrasand JordanSeguraas they celebrated the end of university classes on April 15, 2014. Matthew deGroodwas sent to a secure hospital after beingfound not criminally responsible for their deaths because he was suffering from schizophrenia at the time.

'Something negative into an overwhelming positive'

As a tribute to his son and Zack, Barclay decided to help other emerging artists and created an organization called Prophets of Music a play on Hunter and Rathwell's band,Zackariah and the Prophets.

"I feel a certain sense of responsibility to bring positivity to the community through this program," said Brett McCrady, one of the artists selected for the program.

"I think that music can really be a shining light in the community ... Prophets of Music has really achieved their goal of turning something negative into an overwhelming positive."

'They were amazing guys'

Just wrapping up its first year,the organizationselected three acts McCrady, The Ashley Hundred and High Loveout of about 50 applicants and helpedtheir development with supportsworth more than $30,000.

The artists received months of intense attention, including business essentials, brand development, mentorship and musical education,culminating in an album and aperformance showcaseon April 29.

Carson Stewart of TheAshleyHundredsaidsome of his bandmateswere friends with Josh and Zack.

"They were amazing guys and such talented musicians," he said. "It was a budding friendship that we didn't fully get to explore."

Their deaths weighed heavily on a tight-knit music community in Calgary.

"It was devastating and we were all thankful to have each other there to support each other and grieve together and hurt together, definitelycouldn't have done it alone," said Andrew Franks who plays guitar and keyboard in The Ashley Hundred.

Taking artists to the next level

One of the biggest contributors to Prophets of Musicis Dan Owen, the owner of OCL Studios where the bands recorded their albums.

"We all just offer up our time, talent and treasure however we can to forward the cause and become prophets of music," said Owen.

The goal of the program is to bring the artists' music to the next level.

"They really went above and beyond our expectations," said Franks. "They funded our whole album."

Normally a solo artist, McCrady lined up a five-piece band through the program. One of the musicians he selected isBarry Mason who was inZackariahandtheProphets withHunter andRathwell.

"Those were my best friends," said Mason."Obviously [Prophets of Music] started from a very sad thing that happened, but it's positivity that's coming out of that."

Stewart says they're doing this because Hunter and Rathwellcan't, something he says he thinks about a lot.

"There's so many things you can do with life, it`s a hard path to go down to try and be a professional musician, but just to carry on their memory and honour them every time we play," he said of the meaning behind his music.

Performance

The public will have a chance to preview the results of the projectwhen the Ashley Hundred, Brett McCrady and High Love play at The Palace Theatre on Saturday night.

"This function onthis Saturdayis their graduation," said Owen. "We've been with them on this journey ... we're very, very proud of them."

Barclay Hunter is already looking forward to working with the next batch of musicians.

"It's been very meaningful to build relationships with all of these great people and it's been a big part of my healing," he said.