A jamming way to get the grade
Jennifer K Mahal
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 o7 jennifer.mahal@latimes.com.
f7
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
All the latest on Orange County from Orange County.
Get our free TimesOC newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Daily Pilot.