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Patton senior rocks for a reason

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Aaron Medina, a senior at Patton High School, is hosting Rock for a Reason, a benefit concert to raise funds for the Fender Music Foundation.

By Julie N. Chang | The News Herald

Published: November 13, 2009

MORGANTON - For Aaron Medina, music is more than just vibrations in the air. To him, music is calming, healing and cathartic. And now he's pouring out his passion into his senior project.

Medina, a senior at Patton High School, organized Rock for a Reason to raise money for the Fender Music Foundation. The benefit concert will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Patton's auditorium on 701 Enola Road.

The $10 ticket price includes a musical show featuring IC2 (a band that formed locally and was formerly known as Blunt Head Trauma), performances by Medina and his informal band and snacks and refreshments from Food Lion.

Medina didn't just throw together a concert, he had to contact the Fender Music Foundation, organize advertising, obtain sponsorships and book the band.

"I decided I could take this opportunity to not only do something that I love but it would also in a way give back to the community," Medina said.

As schools across the nation face budget cuts, arts programs are often cut from the curriculum or are underfunded. Medina hopes to raise money to continue supporting the arts, particularly music, programs.

"I chose the Fender Music Foundation because I agree with all of its beliefs and helping give kids across the nation a chance to play music," Medina said. "Not only is it a national organization, but it can also help support smaller organizations as well."

Medina credits music as a driving force in his young life.

He began playing the piano when he was 6 years old; three years ago he took up the drums.

"(Music) is probably my greatest passion," Medina said. "I spend hours at a time playing piano or playing drums, and I just always love to do it."

Medina said music has helped him through times of sorrow, anger and stress.

"I've always counted on music to help me," Medina said.

Medina said money raised would go toward providing children and other students the opportunity for music to affect their lives as much as it has affected his.

Medina said the project has "shown me how much the community cares in not just helping me but to support this cause."

"This has been by far the most challenging, time consuming and difficult project I've encountered," Medina said, "but it's also the most rewarding."