3 minute read
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ASHEBORO BROTHERS EMBRACE THE PIANO, WOWING A RECENT RECITAL AUDIENCE
It was February of 2014 when a black Acrosonic Baldwin piano was rolled out of a living room door, down the concrete driveway, down the hill of a paved street to another Shamrock Road neighbor’s living room – and miraculously never needed to be tuned.
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Pamela Villagomez had purchased the instrument and wanted to learn to play. But, she had an idea her grandsons, Torren Gutierrez, 10, and Aven Gutierrez, 12, might be interested, too. Since birth, little Torren had always moved his fingers like they were touching the black and white keys. She labeled them for herself. When the piano arrived, the then six-year old
Torren sat down and started running his fingers over the keyboard. His grandmother recalls that the notes he played formed a melody. “He can play by ear, though he likes to rely upon notes. He also likes to rearrange the songs, putting his own spin on the melody,” she said. Still, every now and then, both boys will double-check the keys by looking at her markings.
Torren will listen to a song on the radio and then sit down to play it.
Aven is a seventh grader at Uwharrie Charter
Middle School now and Torren is in the fifth grade there. Neither boy had shared their talents with their teachers until one saw the video of their recent recital online. Torren was asked to give a performance. Their music teacher, Carly Hutton, of the Hutton School of Music, raves about both boys. “Torren’s talent is quite beyond his years,” she said.
“Aven started playing the piano a little later than his brother did. Aven’s recital piece was the favorite ragtime song, “Oh Susanna,” by Stephen Foster. Torren chose “The Entertainer,” by Scott Joplin.
Their success comes with a lot of dedicated practice and encouragement. Hutton added, “They have a very strong work ethic and come to every class prepared for their lesson.”
Why? They have a routine. After supper, each one plays their assigned song of the week three times. Hutton says the practice has paid off, as they are
always prepared for their lesson.
The boys are exploring music.
Aven started on the guitar and migrated to the ukulele. He said the actually liked it better because it didn’t make his fingers hurt. There are fewer strings on a ukulele than most guitars. Then he turned to the piano, but will return to the guitar once his fingers get stronger. In the meantime, his piano skills are impressive.
Torren started on the piano. He will be in band next year and looks forward to learning the trumpet and violin. He likes classical music and proudly says Joplin is his favorite composer. Aven isn’t partial to any particular one.
As much as they enjoy playing the piano, they are quick to acknowledge some of the challenges all pianists face – getting the timing right and hitting the correct keys. “Yes, I definitely think so,” responded Torren when asked if he foresees music in his career. His brother isn’t as sure.
Sal Gutierrez, their father, grinned when he talked about the amount of effort his kids put into learning music and various instruments. “It’s interesting to hear them say what kind of music they prefer,” he said. “They have two different kinds of personalities that can come out in the music.”
Hutton sees that too during lessons. They have a drive to move forward,” she said.
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