Budget cuts to the South Bay Youth Orchestra (SBYO), a part of the Community Education Program on campus, have inspired a benefit concert this Saturday at 6 p.m. in Marsee Auditorium.
“This concert has a wide appeal to our campus and will help continue the music going to the youth of our community,” music theory instructor and SBYO artistic director Patrick Schulz said. He has organized the benefit concert titled “Rock the Cause,” which will be hosted by the EC Society of Music. Tickets are $12 and all proceeds will go directly to the SBYO.
“I strongly believe music should be a part of every child’s education. Statistics show students who make music a part of their lives connect better with each other and have higher self esteem,” Schulz said.
The SBYO, established in 1996, has a membership of approximately 55 students from ages 8 to 18 years from surrounding cities, according to its website.
While a majority of the bands performing are rock bands, many have other influences as well. Midnight Urge, the opening band, and the only band with current EC students, defines its style as indie rock.
Taylor Collins, a Long Beach band, also categorizes their sound as indie rock.
“This will be our first show in Torrance. Our main interest in playing at EC was to set up a show since the money to bring established artists was basically gone,” Taylor Morrow, 20, music major said.
Other bands scheduled to play include alternative reggae rock collective, Missing Piece, a blend of alternative blues type riffs with a basic reggae style; The New Room, an alternative indie rock band; and The Vignatis who have a sound all their own.
Coined as Gypsybilly, The Vignatis blend English and French vocals with Gypsy orchestration, rockabilly and honkey tonk, according to their Myspace page.
Closing out the event is Mismatch, an alternative rock band.
Raffles will take place between performances, including gift cards that were donated from Sam Ash, Schulz said. Every one present will have a chance to win an Epiphone Les Paul Standard guitar, purchased by Schulz.
“All raffles go back in for the grand prize so that everyone gets a chance to win,” Schulz said.
Planning so far has gone smoothly, Schulz said. He is grateful for the support from the Society of Music and was surprised to have so many club members sign up to volunteer.
“Having a better relationship with young musicians will only benefit us in the long run to continue to have a strong music department in the future,” EC Society of Music president Anthony Moreno said.
Schulz is hopeful for a high turnout.
“Hopefully, this can become an annual battle of the band type of event on campus,” Schulz said. “I just want to have a lot of fun with this.”