The Center for the Performing Arts’ FrontRow program brings high school and college music students to the Center’s venues not only to enjoy performances, but to talk directly with touring artists about life as a professional performer. The young musicians often get an earful about the importance of focus and hard work, regardless of what career path they may follow in the future.
Before Christmas, genre-scrambling violinist Damien Escobar dropped some wisdom to a group of students from the Carmel School of Rock and WHAM, a new nonprofit group formed by Carmel High School families to promote performance opportunities for student musicians. His tips included:
- “Stay passionate about whatever you’re doing.”
- “Realize you know nothing. There’s always so much to learn … Surround yourself with smart people.”
- “I find that if I’m not a little nervous when I get onstage, then I don’t care anymore.”
Prior to Escobar’s talk, CHS’ Select Sound a cappella ensemble (pictured above) had a similar opportunity with the King’s Singers, the acclaimed London-based group that celebrates Britain’s long tradition of vocal music. After the pep talk and before the evening concert, the students entertained patrons in the Palladium’s South Lobby.