By Rich Monetti
13 year old Rachel Rodgers of John Jay Middle School can offer an opinion on the flute player that most readily comes to mind for those of us raised on classic rock. Ive only heard him a few times, says the eighth grader of Jethro Tull, and hes really good. Sounds a little light on the Ian Anderson and makes you wonder what theyre teaching these kids in school today? In this case, it doesnt really matter because someday it may be more relevant to ask, if hes ever heard of her and what she can do with a flute.
This might not even be such a far-fetched question to ask right now. She's a member of the Western Connecticut Youth Orchestra, has been selected for the Westchester All-County Band, performing with them at Purchase College and played last summer with the Orchestra at the French Woods Festival of Performing Arts.
Not bad for a 13 year old but none are the most impressive part of her resume (or probably enough to wake Mr. Anderson from whatever state he is in now). Yes, she like many, has a CD, but “Summer after 7" stands out not just because of the talent she exemplifies on the 9 tracks. “He's the greatest living jazz bassist in the world," says her dad of Ron Carter. And she mixes the slow swing of a lazy summer night on several featured tracks with the world class musician.
“He was very impressed with Rachel," says Jonathan Rodgers, but her aptitude with the instrument emerged to her parents rather surprisingly. Introduced to the flute at school in 5th grade, she took to it informally without any real in depth instruction. Then one morning she sprung it on her dad.
“She played me a version of b-flat blues and I was floored," he says. At this point, she has no problem rising to the impressive roster of venues she can already lay claim to. “I've done lots of performances and it's more excitement than nervousness," she says.
13 year old Rachel Rodgers of John Jay Middle School can offer an opinion on the flute player that most readily comes to mind for those of us raised on classic rock. Ive only heard him a few times, says the eighth grader of Jethro Tull, and hes really good. Sounds a little light on the Ian Anderson and makes you wonder what theyre teaching these kids in school today? In this case, it doesnt really matter because someday it may be more relevant to ask, if hes ever heard of her and what she can do with a flute.
This might not even be such a far-fetched question to ask right now. She's a member of the Western Connecticut Youth Orchestra, has been selected for the Westchester All-County Band, performing with them at Purchase College and played last summer with the Orchestra at the French Woods Festival of Performing Arts.
Not bad for a 13 year old but none are the most impressive part of her resume (or probably enough to wake Mr. Anderson from whatever state he is in now). Yes, she like many, has a CD, but “Summer after 7" stands out not just because of the talent she exemplifies on the 9 tracks. “He's the greatest living jazz bassist in the world," says her dad of Ron Carter. And she mixes the slow swing of a lazy summer night on several featured tracks with the world class musician.
“He was very impressed with Rachel," says Jonathan Rodgers, but her aptitude with the instrument emerged to her parents rather surprisingly. Introduced to the flute at school in 5th grade, she took to it informally without any real in depth instruction. Then one morning she sprung it on her dad.
“She played me a version of b-flat blues and I was floored," he says. At this point, she has no problem rising to the impressive roster of venues she can already lay claim to. “I've done lots of performances and it's more excitement than nervousness," she says.
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