By Tim McCarthy
tmccarthy@haverhillgazette.com
—
Like many teens, Moises Carrasco IV of Haverhill enjoys music and is a member of a band.
His band is too big to practice in a garage, however.
Moises, 15, is one of 50 young people participating in Boston University's Tanglewood Institute, an elite summer music program open only to a relative handful of students who auditioned from all over the world. Of the 811 who competed for a seat, Moises was among the 338 selected.
This is the second year he has auditioned and made the final cut.
Following a schedule similar to that of a shortened college semester, teens ages 14 to 18 participate in instrument workshops and the Young Artists Orchestra, which performs four concerts over the summer.
"Seeing all these other kids that share the same passion lets me feel I'm a part of something bigger than myself," said Moises, a bassist.
In addition to studying music for six hours every day, students live and eat in the West Street Campus in Lenox, home to the world-renowned Tanglewood Orchestra.
Moises is happy to have the opportunity for continued exposure to classical music.
"That's where I find my passion and can express myself," he said. "I feel the complexity of the music allows you to find yourself in the notes on the page."
Moises' affinity for classical music is nothing new. You might even say it's genetic.
His father, Moises Carrasco III, was a tuba player who studied at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, Md., and worked as an organ builder throughout the 1980s and early '90s.
After his son's birth, he changed careers and worked in information technology.
In 2008, the elder Carrasco was diagnosed with leukemia.
Moises said that despite his weakened condition, his father would practice daily in his room at Massachusetts General Hospital. Moises said that sight pressed him further into studying music.
"It was great being able to see him practice," he said. "I always feel him near me when I'm playing."
Carrasco died in January — on the day that his son auditioned for his second term at the Tanglewood Institute.
Moises recalls some of the final advice his father passed along.
"He said, 'Do what you love and I know you love music,'" Moises said.
During the school year, Moises takes part in the Phillips Academy Symphony and Chamber orchestras, the New England Conservatory Youth Philharmonic Orchestra and Brandenburg Ensemble.
Surprisingly, he's never strayed away from wanting to play classical music.
Though he played in a few jazz bands at Newburyport High School, where he attends, he said he enjoys the challenge of working with classical material.
"I've learned more about what I can do with music," he said. "It teaches you a lot about who you are. You learn so much about self discipline."
He said his interest in his instrument — double bass — came about from his love of being a noise-maker and the instrument's ability to cross genres.
"You find bass in every single genre," he said. "It just expands music in general."
He said his favorite piece to perform is Ottorino Respighi's "Pini di Roma."
"The bass part is so necessary for the orchestra," he said. "It makes you feel powerful and I find I just have a huge smile on my face."
Still two years away from college, Moises said he is looking at a number of musical programs at Ithaca College, Juilliard School, Boston University, and the New England Conservatory in Boston.
