Teens Buck Trend Stepping into Classical Music

According to a study conducted by the National Endowment of the Arts, the median age of classical music performance attendees in 1992 was 45. Ten years later, it jumped to 49.

Two groups of Riverhead High School musicians might be roughly one third of the age of their audience on Thursday night. But they're OK with that.

This Thursday a choral group - Fermata Nowhere - and an instrumental group -CWC Chamber Ensemble - will perform at the Vail-Leavitt Music Hall, as part of the theater's Indie Teen Concert Series.  Both groups will perform classical music and other music of their choosing in a program that lights their fires. 

“My goal is to have fun and to open audiences’ eyes that could be down with classical music,” said vocalist Krystian Jamrozek. “It’s not like pop and played out. I’d like to bring classical back and let everyone see how important it is and how the music can actually speak to one person.”

Vocalist James Yaiullo shares the same enthusiasm for classical music. “It’s so different than the music going on today,” Yaiullo said. “It’s less boring than what you typically hear. There’s so much going on—there’s so many parts in classical music. You can listen over and over and start to notice more things every time you listen to it.”

Fermata Nowhere will present a cappella music in a diverse program. Selections include medieval music sung in Latin, a folk song/spiritual (“Come By Here”—a version of “Kumbaya”), a piece by modern composer Eric Whitacre and a Beatles Medley. 

Also on tap is an original arrangement of “Over the Rainbow” for four female voices. The piece is arranged by Emily Cardillo, who directs Fermata Nowhere and also performs with CWC Chamber Ensemble as a violinist. CWC Chamber Ensemble includes upright bass, cello, viola, violin and guitar. They are directed by Kayla Lessard, who is also part of Fermata Nowhere.

The CWC Chamber Ensemble program was developed to present music from around the world, said Cardillo. They will perform popular Spanish folk songs, a Southern Scottish Air, song tracks from the films Slumdog Millionaire and Pirates of the Caribbean and “Eleanor Rigby” by The Beatles.

Both groups evolved from the high school’s Chamber Choir and orchestra. Forming their own ensembles allowed them to stretch out as musicians and perform music they like best, each musician interviewed said.

“The versions are different than what we do at school,” Jamrozek said. “I feel like the emotions we put into the program makes a difference.”

Thursday’s concert is the part of the Indie Teen Concert Series presented by Produzione Porci Saltantes and the Vail-Leavitt Music Hall. The series was launched last year by the Riverhead High School’s Latin & Greek teacher Jeffrey “Doc” Greenberger.

Frustrated by Battle of the Bands format—which only allows for one song per group—Greenberger founded the Indie Teen Concert Series so musicians could have an entire set to shine. Concerts typically feature singer-songwriters and bands performing original music, he said. Two groups or performers share a single bill.

Concerts are held the second Thursday of each month at the Vail-Leavitt. They continue through June and begin again in the fall.

Past performers include Grape Jam Blues Band, Coastline, the folk duo Maryangela Benthal and Hope Andrejack and soloist Lauren Peyton. High school and college age musicians are welcome to apply. Interested bands or musicians should email jeff.greenberger2@riverhead.net.

Greenberger invited Fermata Nowhere and CWC Chamber Ensemble to be part of the series even though they are not performing original music, he said. The groups had been preparing a holiday concert but welcomed the chance to perform at the Vail instead, Cardillo said.

“We were thinking about asking to be part of the Indie Teen Series and then we were invited,” Cardillo said. “It worked out beautifully.”

Doors for Thursday's performance open at 6:30 p.m. The concert begins at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the East End Arts Council or $6 at the door. For information, email vlmhpress@yahoo.com.