Concert honors St. Charles teen's memory
The ninth annual Tyler Brett Caruso Memorial Concert will be from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, May 26 at Lincoln Park, Fourth and Main streets in St. Charles.
To Marilyn Caruso of St. Charles, the summer memorial concert that has honored her late son Tyler, who died in July 2002 of an apparent heart attack, is a legacy propelled by his dream. An honors student, football player, jazz musician, student government leader and community activist, Tyler was just 17 when he died. With his wish to coordinate an annual outdoor concert with both St. Charles East and North High School musicians, his family, friends and the St. Charles Park District will present this annual event with several jazz and soft rock performances
“Tyler's remarkable gift of connecting with our community is the reason why this annual event has been so successful,” Caruso said. “We have amazing talent at our high schools and we are proud to showcase some of that talent. The individuals who contribute their time and skills to this concert are representatives of current/past students of the exemplary St. Charles music programs. They possess the same fire that Tyler exhibited for the arts.”
Tyler was the first student board member of the Downtown St. Charles Partnership and was also an integral voice during community forums centered on a mold crisis at St. Charles High School during Tyler's junior year there.
After Tyler's passing, the Downtown St. Charles Partnership joined with the St. Charles Park District to host a memorial concert in Tyler's honor each year, as the start to the park district's summer concert series. This year, Caruso is joined by friends and relatives as they and the park district plan a jazz, pop, and soft rock event, “Igniting the Fire,” to inspire musicians of all ages to express their passion for the arts. A memorial scholarship in Tyler's name has been awarded to 25 recipients who display exemplary achievements in areas such as academics, student leadership, music, school and community service. Each year, past recipients have attended the concert.
This year's entertainment lineup includes Sammy Perez, a St. Charles East vocalist and guitarist; The Crystal Vision, a band of St. Charles East students Jon Belsheim, Tom Hinds, Benny Manibog, Nick Novotny, Peter Procek, and Ryan Shannon; the St. Charles East Jazz Workshop under the leadership of James Kull, band director; The Hoban Sisters, St. Charles East vocalist and guitarist; Six String Crossing, a band of St. Charles North students; and Cody Clausen, Pat Collins, Pete Steele, and Tyler Ekhart, who performed under the name Davis Bridge in previous years.
The concert is free to the public, and donations of any increments will be appreciated and accepted. All proceeds will be directed to the Tyler Brett Caruso Memorial Scholarship. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. For details, call Romi Herron at (630) 709-3711.