Teens Excel as Aspiring Classical Music Artists

It’s Cooler Than You Think

We’ve all heard the too-familiar refrains. “When I was five years old, my parents made me take piano lessons.” “My dad wouldn’t let me play soccer unless I practiced my violin an hour every day.” But, for every parentally induced horror story about a teenager’s early experiences with classical music, more of them have a passion for it than you might think. Who’s to say that those early piano lessons you loved to hate didn’t spark to be a lifelong journey of exploration? Perhaps it led to an obsession with playing an amazing instrument like the marimba, harp, or French horn? Or it was the impetus to singing in choir or madrigal or enjoying an occasional date night out at the symphony or opera?

There is moral and statistical support to bolster the resolve of nagging parents. According to the University of Michigan’s “Monitoring the Future” study, nearly 40 percent of high school students enroll in music programs. That’s almost seven million young people, compared to just over one million participating in high school football. College Board and SAT administrators say that music program involvement has a direct impact on test scores and language learning. They cite the incredible statistic that students in public school music programs scored an average of 107 points higher on their SATs. Benefits go beyond the numbers, with music participation fostering a variety of life skills like teamwork, perseverance, and commitment, and encouraging diversity and tolerance.

“Classical music is deep and endlessly fascinating,” says Scott Seaton, music director, and conductor of North State Symphony. “A melody isn’t just a series of notes on a page, but an explosion of ideas inspired by nothing less than the complexity of the universe itself.”

“It’s something that grows within you organically, but it doesn’t hurt to have encouragement and support,” continues Scott. “I was inspired to start playing saxophone in fifth grade by something as quirky as the theme to the Pink Panther cartoons. I love all music, but nothing challenges or absorbs me more completely than classical music.”

Kevin Anderson, bass-baritone

The North State Symphony’s Young Artist Audition program champions classical music students in the North State, both instrumental and vocal. Winners receive a cash prize and get to solo in North State Symphony’s Masterworks concerts, the next of which will take place on February 8 and 9 in Redding and Chico. This year’s high school division winner is Oliver Moore of Chico, who auditioned as a senior at Inspire School of the Arts and Science. The winner of the college/university division is Kevin Anderson, a junior at CSU, Chico. Past Young Artist Audition winners have included instrumentalists on piano, marimba, alto sax, violin, cello, flute, clarinet, and trumpet and many talented vocalists. The deadline for applications for the 2021 auditions is January 27.

Oliver Moore, piano

“This year’s Audition winners are even more astonishing than the last,” says Elizabeth Quivey, executive director of North State Symphony. “As an example, Oliver is also a vocalist, upright bassist, accompanist, arranger, and confident entertainer. I recently heard him jam non-stop on ragtime and jazz standards, and it was an absolute treat!”

Besides showcasing Young Artist Audition winners, the Symphony’s February concerts also include many other talented teens as they join professional musicians on stage playing side by side in an orchestral piece. These teens are the top players from area youth orchestra programs, including Shasta College’s Concert and Chamber Strings ensembles and Chico’s MTAC Youth Orchestra. Many of them go on to become Young Artist Audition winners themselves, and many pursue professional training and careers in classical music.

“Working with these young artists is such a fulfilling part of my job,” says Dr. Jeff Specht, director of Orchestras and Band at Shasta College. “We have such phenomenal talent in the North State, and it’s great to have opportunities like these for the students to connect and share their gifts with the community. Besides being amazing musicians, these students are also some of the finest individuals I have the pleasure to know. They are intelligent, motivated, caring, and passionate about what they’re doing.”

Classical music has evolved over the generations, but it may be more relevant to teens today than ever before. Let’s applaud them and their families for keeping classical music alive and well. And if you have a friend who plays, check in with them and check out some classical tunes in your area soon.