Classical musician gives insight to students at Freeport Concert

On Saturday, June 3, the main hallway of Freeport High School buzzed with chatter from 46 students of the Freeport High School Wind Ensemble, dressed in black suits and dresses, awaiting their performance alongside world-renowned musician John-Morgan Bush.

The Freeport Community Concert Association, or FCCA, welcomed Bush and pianist Juliana Han to conclude their 69th annual concert season. Bush, a longtime classical musician looking to put a modern twist on classical favorites, met Freeport students and faculty for a night of mentoring, performing and fun.

The concert was actually the FCCA’s first effort to incorporate students into the annual performances. “This was a special night designed so that students can get a sense of how life is as a professional musician,” said Jill Kaplan, FCCA president.

Bush, who built his status as a classical musician and music professor, had the chance to offer advice to students who are looking into a career in the music industry. Students were able to sit in on a “Question and Answer” session before the performance, where they asked the musician about the ins and outs of performing professionally.

“Students got the chance to ask the real questions about college auditions, life and what to look for in music. John-Morgan along with his pianist, Juliana Han, talked about everything the students and I have talked about in class,” said Michael LaSorsa, director of the Freeport High School Wind Ensemble.

LaSorsa shared he was ecstatic when Bush touched on how he used his failures as motivation in the music field, which stuck with Aaron Anderson, Freeport High School Wind Ensemble percussion player.

“It really helped being that each person has different questions that they want answered, especially those that want to pursue music, and for those who have obstacles that may not allow them to do so,” Anderson said. “[The talk] opens up your mind to the possibilities you can take to get you on the track that John-Morgan and Juliana are on.”

Following the mentoring session, the students were able to see Bush warm up with his French horn for his performance. The students then took the stage to commence the concert, standing before an audience of nearly 200 people. After playing three songs, the students concluded their segment of the concert and French horn player Elijah Zelaya remained on stage. The student joined Bush in a French horn duet and the two played, “Morceau de Concert.”

Bush then carried the night into several movements of music along with his pianist, filling the newly renovated Freeport High School auditorium with echoes of French horn and piano keys.

Backstage, Bush credited his mentors that have motivated him, and encouraged students to look for the right teachers to guide them in their music careers.

“Music is all about relationships,” Bush said. “You have to have skills, and be talented, but you also have to know how to treat people well and I think that can be the most important thing for students.”

The French horn player also curbed the some of the comments surrounding the music industry today, saying it’s important for students to recognize their passion for music and “go for it.”

“I hear a lot of people say ‘don’t go into music’, but when I do things like this for students, I like to open that door for students, to say you absolutely can do this and make a life out of this,” he said.