SILVER CREEK – Three young musicians from Silver Creek are combining their practice sessions with school activities to keep up their grades in their own version of “School of Rock.”
Their band, Imortal, formed in the winter of 2009 when Zak Bogosian and Trevor Cole were in a multi-age fourth- and fifth-grade class. With the two not getting along well as classmates, teacher Scott Foley paired Zak and Trevor up on a class project, encouraging them to find common ground with music. Soon they became bandmates with third-grader Alex Bogosian and they’ve been best friends ever since.
The Bogosian boys are the sons of Matt and Karen Bogosian of Silver Creek, who own and operate The Backline, a teen center. The kids grew up listening to their parents’ music of the 1970s and 1980s. Classic rock ’n’ roll tunes are what they practice and what they play.
This year will mark their third year performing at the Festival of Grapes in Silver Creek, which starts Sept. 19.
Trevor, 15, plays drums for the group.
Word is traveling about the talents of the band and they had a big event this summer when they opened for the heavy metal band Dio. The band had recently re-united and played at Willow Creek Winery for a festival event. The boys received a call to go on stage and a special request. The band needed to see their set list and they crossed off any numbers that Dio would be playing.
The boys were not shy about taking the stage with seasoned older musicians and opened with “Purple Haze.” They also tackled the Led Zeppelin tune “Whole Lotta Love.”
The band played several times during the Willow Creek Winery concert series (Rockin’ The Grapes and Wine, Art & Music Fest) and at Sunset Bay Beach Club, the Backline Teen Dance Club, Chautauqua County Fair, Festival of Grapes, Silver Creek Central “Rock For A Reason” concert and other private events.
On a recent Saturday night they took the stage to celebrate the birthday of one of their 14-year-old fans. The band performs at the teen center about once a month.
Karen Bogosian said she still gets emotional when she sees them on stage.
“We love to hear them play and it is never a chore to them,” she said.
They practice for hours every day, even on school days, but that hasn’t hurt their academics. They have made the honor roll every semester. In addition to playing in the band, the boys play baseball and participate in cross country and track events at school.
Do they want a career in music?
“Yes, of course – but our dad would have to go on the road with us,” said Alex. “And he would make sure we study.”
After their big day back to school at Silver Creek Central on Wednesday, the next show date for Imortal is 5 p.m. Sept. 21 in front of The Backline on the outdoor stage for the band’s third consecutive show at the Festival of Grapes.
Their band, Imortal, formed in the winter of 2009 when Zak Bogosian and Trevor Cole were in a multi-age fourth- and fifth-grade class. With the two not getting along well as classmates, teacher Scott Foley paired Zak and Trevor up on a class project, encouraging them to find common ground with music. Soon they became bandmates with third-grader Alex Bogosian and they’ve been best friends ever since.
The Bogosian boys are the sons of Matt and Karen Bogosian of Silver Creek, who own and operate The Backline, a teen center. The kids grew up listening to their parents’ music of the 1970s and 1980s. Classic rock ’n’ roll tunes are what they practice and what they play.
This year will mark their third year performing at the Festival of Grapes in Silver Creek, which starts Sept. 19.
Trevor, 15, plays drums for the group.
Word is traveling about the talents of the band and they had a big event this summer when they opened for the heavy metal band Dio. The band had recently re-united and played at Willow Creek Winery for a festival event. The boys received a call to go on stage and a special request. The band needed to see their set list and they crossed off any numbers that Dio would be playing.
The boys were not shy about taking the stage with seasoned older musicians and opened with “Purple Haze.” They also tackled the Led Zeppelin tune “Whole Lotta Love.”
The band played several times during the Willow Creek Winery concert series (Rockin’ The Grapes and Wine, Art & Music Fest) and at Sunset Bay Beach Club, the Backline Teen Dance Club, Chautauqua County Fair, Festival of Grapes, Silver Creek Central “Rock For A Reason” concert and other private events.
On a recent Saturday night they took the stage to celebrate the birthday of one of their 14-year-old fans. The band performs at the teen center about once a month.
Karen Bogosian said she still gets emotional when she sees them on stage.
“We love to hear them play and it is never a chore to them,” she said.
They practice for hours every day, even on school days, but that hasn’t hurt their academics. They have made the honor roll every semester. In addition to playing in the band, the boys play baseball and participate in cross country and track events at school.
Do they want a career in music?
“Yes, of course – but our dad would have to go on the road with us,” said Alex. “And he would make sure we study.”
After their big day back to school at Silver Creek Central on Wednesday, the next show date for Imortal is 5 p.m. Sept. 21 in front of The Backline on the outdoor stage for the band’s third consecutive show at the Festival of Grapes.