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