Young musicians will raise money for CHS
<p>Coeur d'Alene High School senior Jillian Grutta performs while attending Grammy Camp in Los Angeles last summer. The 17-year-old is holding a benefit concert tonight at 7 at the Songbird Theatre on Fourth Street. Proceeds from the performance by Grutta and several other young artists will benefit the CHS music department.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - It's all about the music for Jillian Grutta, a 17-year-old singer, songwriter, guitarist and pianist preparing to graduate from Coeur d'Alene High School.
For her senior project, Grutta has organized and will perform in concert at 7 p.m. tonight at the Song Bird Theatre on north Fourth Street. Proceeds from the show will benefit the Coeur d'Alene High School music department.
"It's going to a great cause. Our school has a great band and orchestra, but I feel like we don't get a lot of recognition or money. That's a bummer," Grutta said. "Even if we just raise $200, that's a great amount and will help."
Grutta wrote her accompanying senior paper about the effects of illegal downloading of music.
"The Internet is big, with lots of sites that just give away free music that artists have not given them permission to give away," Grutta said.
She believes stricter laws need to be in place to protect musicians.
"It's really hurting the record labels, especially the major ones," Grutta said.
The loss of revenue limits labels, she said, making it harder for them to promote new artists or send them on tour.
"They're just going to back down from their dream of making music," she said.
The Senior Project has been a graduation requirement at CHS since 2001.
The benefit concert, dubbed "In the Spotlight," will showcase several fresh, young, local singer/songwriters.
Brad Stephenson, Ian Wolford, Rhys Gerwin, J. Kane, and Grutta will perform original songs on piano, guitar and vocals.
"It's a great way to show off the great talent I know we have in Coeur d'Alene," Grutta said.
Tickets are $6 per person and are available at the door.