Organist and music teacher Kenneth Farnum ’ 75 leading the MultiQuire with Stephanie Gregory ( Archbishop Molloy ) at the Prep ’ s
Visual & Performing Arts Spring Event in 2023 .
FOR THE LOVE OF THE ARTS
He continued lessons in New York with teachers who were also on the quiet side about his skills . “ It ’ s really hard to get that kind of positive reinforcement that can be really encouraging ,” Wicks noted .
Not only did Wicks find the confirmation that he needed at the Prep to continue pursuing his talents , but he also picked up a few valuable time management skills that served him well while studying at the Royal Academy of Music .
When Queen Elizabeth II died in 2022 , Wicks was chosen to play in a string quartet for the Coronation Concert of King Charles III , which was televised by the BBC on May 7 , 2023 . Wicks had to juggle rehearsals with his regular coursework and other responsibilities .
“ It was a little bit chaotic ,” Wicks recalled . “ Between the logistics of trying to figure out what you ’ re supposed to do and where to go , I think the work ethic I learned at the Prep really helped .
Taking advantage of every free moment you have and really planning your time was really helpful ,” he added .
Other Rams choose to use their voices as their instrument . The Liturgical Choir , led by Kenneth Farnum ’ 75 , is a staple at school-wide masses . They lead the school through various Catholic hymns , accompanied by Farnum on the piano . A group of students from the Liturgical Choir also blessed the Prep community with their voices in a music video filmed in the Chapel of St . Ignatius Loyola on Ash Wednesday in 2023 . They sang “ Kyrie Eleison ” by M . Joncas , assisted by former Prep religious studies teacher Christopher Holownia , SJ .
Farnum also leads the Prep ’ s MultiQuire along with Stephanie Gregory from Archbishop Molloy High School in Queens . The MultiQuire performs an eclectic mix of songs at the Prep ’ s arts events , including favorites such as “ Elijah
Rock ,” Bart Howard ’ s “ Fly Me to the Moon ,” and Ralph Manuel ’ s “ Alleluia .”
The MultiQuire consists of Rams and girls from other high schools such as Archbishop Molloy , King School ( Stamford , CT ), and St . Catharine Academy ( Bronx , NY ). Together , they add exciting vocal harmony to the third-floor hallways during rehearsals and events in Leonard Theatre . Ram vocalists also perform at Archbishop Molloy ’ s concerts .
The experiences offered by music teachers at the Prep give students an opportunity to perform for the community while also building confidence and creativity . Outside of bands and choirs , students in LaGamma ’ s rigorous AP Music Theory course learn these skills through other means .
“ Students in the class analyze and respond to music , looking at singing and melodies and then breaking them down to learn how and why they work together ,” said LaGamma about the course . One of the projects for the class is to write a piece of music on a chosen medium and explain the process of how the elements combine to create a cohesive work .
The cover art for “ Really Mad ” by Elan Suave . Griffiths earned the nickname “ Elan ” from his older brother .
Boogiedown Beats
Sometimes Prep students begin toying with their own beats outside of required coursework . This was the case for Bronx native Ethan Griffiths ’ 21 ( stage name Elan Suave ) as a freshman at Fordham Prep .
Griffith became interested in music production after seeing his older brother Dornell Henriques ( Nellz Supreme ), an All Hallows grad , making his own tunes . His brother ’ s influence led him to try mixing for himself .
“ I was like , you know what , I feel like I can do this . I have the voice . Let me just try it ,” he remembers thinking to himself . “ And so I released my first song in freshman year ,” he continued .
My time at Fordham Prep gave me that confidence to feel like I can do this … I can go anywhere , market my music , and be successful .”
— Ethan Griffiths ’ 21
The song , called “ Really Mad ,” was released on Soundcloud in the spring of 2018 . To his surprise , the hip-hop track was a hit among his classmates .
“ I wanted to get some friends at school to hear it just to see if they liked it or not . It was actually pretty good feedback . It kind of inspired me to make more music and really take it to the next level ,” Griffith stated .
He is especially grateful for the encouragement of his fellow Rams , longtime teacher Mr . Randy Pedro P ’ 17 ’ 19 , and math teacher Omar Ward ’ 92 P ’ 22 ’ 24 .
“ My time at Fordham Prep gave me that confidence to feel like I can do this ,” Griffiths explained . “ I can go anywhere , market my music , and be successful ,” he added .
Griffiths is currently studying music business and marketing at Howard University . Since sharing his first song on Soundcloud in 2018 , he has released five EPs and several singles .
continued …
WINTER 2024 VOLUME 44 , ISSUE 1
11