The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
‘They’re very special together’
Torrington teens to join musical showdown in ‘Beatles vs. Stones’
TORRINGTON — Four classical string players from Torrington High School will be joining the performers in “Beatles vs. Stones — A Musical Showdown,” which is coming April 23 to the Warner Theatre.
The touring show pits Rolling Stones tribute band Satisfaction against rival Beatles cover band Abbey Road in a musical showdown, according to the Warner. The string quartet will perform six songs with the bands.
The students, all juniors, are Rosangel Baez-Batista, 17, Emily Tacri Penaranda, 16, Chloe Bayat, 16, and Aisely Harrison, 17. They’ve all played music together since middle school, and Harrison and Bayat have known each other since preschool.
The four musicians meet after school to practice in the band room and work with music coach Amy Jones, while their teacher and orchestra director
Wayne Splettstoeszer meets with students in his office nearby.
Looking for a chamber
Some time ago, the producers of “Beatles vs. Stones” approached Splettstoeszer, looking for a talented ensemble of high school students that could play with a rock band in front of an audience. The show commonly reaches out to local high school orchestras, making donations to their school music programs in exchange for student participation, he said.
“We are very excited to showcase our musical talent on a large-scale stage for all to enjoy,” he said. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the string musicians.
“They’re amazing,” he said of the four young musicians. “They’ll be with the rock group on stage. There’s a big buzz all around town about this. People are pretty excited.
“They’ve all been playing together since the seventh grade, and they’re very special together,” Spettstoeszer said. “They know each other so well.”
The four teens will join the bands for the songs “Eleanor Rigby,” “A Day in the Life,” “Hello Goodbye,” “Hey Jude,” “Gimme Shelter” and “Ruby Tuesday.”
Along with rehearsing for the “Beatles vs. Stones” show, they auditioned for and were chosen to perform at this year’s Connecticut Music Educators Association Northern Region Orchestra and New England Music Festival. They are members of the award-winning Torrington High School Orchestra and its chamber strings, and play with the pit orchestra during school musicals.
Harrison decided to play the violin in fourth grade because her mother played the instrument as a child. She also plays guitar and bass. She said she plans to attend college after high school and either attend medical school or pursue a career in music therapy.
Bayat said she learned to play violin in fourth grade so she that could be in high school orchestra together with her older sister, who played the cello. Penaranda has been playing the viola for seven years. She
also plays the euphonium. She plans to pursue a degree in music education in college.
“I’d like to teach viola and maybe one day join the Waterbury Symphony,” she said.
Rosangel Baez-Batista said she attended a “musical petting zoo” in the fourth grade, where students are able to try out various instruments, and saw a cello. In addition to playing with her school’s orchestra, chamber strings and pit orchestra, she performs with her church worship team. She also wants to pursue a degree in teaching music.
Musical friends
The four teens grew up with a variety of musical influences. In the classroom, they’re learning Bach, Schumann and Mozart. At home, Bayat said, she had a diverse experience. “My parents are immigrants, so we didn’t know about American music,” she said. “We listened to their music.”
“Mine listen to Hispanic music; and dancing, merengue, things like that,” said Baez-Batista. “My dad likes R&B, and rap, too. And Madonna. So we grew up with that.”
Learning the classics has been challenging and rewarding, the four girls said. But to learn the songs they’ll play in “Beatles vs. Stones,” they turned to their coach, Jones, who helped them fine-tune their pop music skills.
“We played the music and learned the arrangements,” Penaranda said. “It’s pop music, so it’s a little different.”
“Amy is our amazing coach; we’ve been doing a lot of work. It’s been a real learning experience,” Harrison said. “Amy’s amazing because she knows music. She’s played everything.”
They’re also excited about performing in front of their friends and family at the Warner in April.
“People have been coming up to me and asking me about it,” BaezBatista said. “I have a feeling we’re going to know 90 percent of the people there.”
As they continue to rehearse, for the Warner show, competitions, upcoming school performances and concerts, the four friends’ bond is stronger than ever.
“We’ve done a lot of competing since middle school together,” Harrison said. “Now, for us, it’s about the music and playing together.”
“Beatles vs. Stones — A Musical Showdown” at the Warner Theatre’s Oneglia Auditorium, 7 p.m. April 23. Tickets are $35-$55, plus ticket fees, and may be purchased at the box office, by emailing boxoffice@warnertheatre.org., call 860-489-7180 or online at www.warnertheatre.org. The Warner Theatre is located at 68 Main Street, Torrington. The show is appropriate for all ages.