Bands to rock out for Laurel House
19 April 2002
Daily Pilot (LA Times)
Altivation, a garage band led by Corona del Mar senior Jonathan Turco, will join with Orange County trio Pleasure Company on Sunday for a Newport Beach concert to benefit Laurel House, a Tustin-based teen shelter.
The concert will take place from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, 3233 Pacific View Drive, Corona del Mar. There is a suggested donation of $10 for students, $15 for adults. All proceeds will benefit Laurel House. Information: (949) 718-0892.
A jamming way to get the grade
Corona del Mar student Jonathan Turco and his band Altivation will hold a benefit concert for a teen shelter Sunday as part of his senior project.
20 April 2002
Jennifer K. Mahal
Daily Pilot (LA Times)
NEWPORT BEACH - Jonathan Turco is doing something for his Corona del Mar High School senior project that a lot of teens would love to get a grade for -- jamming with his band.
The drummer and his garage band Altivation will play a benefit concert Sunday night for Laurel House, a shelter for teenagers in Tustin. Pleasure Company, a trio headed by Costa Mesa resident Darnell Wyrick, will also play at the concert, to be held at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Corona del Mar.
"They encourage us to choose a project, something we're not totally familiar with," Turco said, explaining that the project has three parts -- a research paper, a tangible project and an oral presentation. "I thought of putting on my own benefit concert. I love music." After choosing Laurel House on his mom's suggestion, Turco approached Wyrick, a family friend, to be his mentor because Wyrick's group has been involved in charity events before.
"He's been a great help, a guide on the process," Turco said."As an 18-year-old high school student, I didn't know where to start."
Wyrick, who has known Turco since he was 10 or 11, said he's been impressed by the amount of work the senior has put into the project, even earning an A on his research paper on the history of benefit concerts.
"I think the most exciting part for me is seeing how much energy and effort is being put into this to make this thing go," said Wyrick, who with vocalist Carole Olivieri and guitarist Jeff Sergenti is part of Pleasure Company. "His band has been practicing hard."
The concert is a great motivation to get better at music, Turco said. Other members of Altivation include lead guitarist Andrew Norman, rhythm guitarist Eric Kirst and bass guitarist Taylor Pham. The band's name comes from Turco's sports background.
"Andrew and I both pole vault at Corona del Mar, and the coach is always saying 'get altivation' -- altitude and elevation," Turco said.
Altivation will play a combination of classic rock covers -- Led Zepplin, the Eagles, the Beatles -- and original tunes at the concert. With announcements being made at school and fliers handed out, Turco said he is hoping at least 150 people come to the event. Besides the music, there will also be a raffle and a representative from Laurel House will speak about the organization.
"I think it's really important for musicians and artists to give back to society and other people because they have a big influence on other people," Turco said.
Although music is a love, Turco plans to study law when he graduates. Whether he will do it at University of San Diego or USC is still up in the air. Both have sent him acceptance letters.
Whatever he does, Wyrick said he thinks Turco has a bright future ahead.
"I'm sure we'll be hearing more from him down the road," the flute and saxophone player said.
- Jennifer Mahal is features editor of the Daily Pilot. She may be reached at (949) 574-4282 or by e-mail at jennifer.mahal@latimes.com.
FYI
What: Concert for Laurel House
When: 4 p.m. Sunday
Where: St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, 3233 Pacific View Drive, Corona del Mar
Cost: Suggested donation is $10 for students, $15 for adults
Call: (949) 718-0892
Notable Quotables
21 April 2002
Daily Pilot (LA Times)
"I think it's really important for musicians and artists to give back to society and other people because they have a big influence on other people." - Jonathan Turco, drummer for Altivation, which will play a benefit concert for Laurel House at St. Michael and All Ages Episcopal church today at 4 pm.