Nocturnal Rush Plays Cherry Blossom Festival April 4

A local teen band is getting a lot of well-deserved attention for their musical talent and maturing sound.  Nocturnal Rush was formed just over a year ago in January 2010 and the four teens – Trevor Fichtner, Aidan Hall, Jake Rosenthal, John-Paul Heaney and Ashburn resident Kaela Heiston – are seeing many of their dreams come true.

“Their dedication and musical talent separate them from other teen bands,” said Andrea Rosenthal, who is the mother of drummer, Jake Rosenthal, who lives in Herndon.

The band started out with small shows, but has expanded to bigger gigs like the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Monday's show starts at 3:30 p.m. in the Sylvan Theater.

It may be clear from the time that the band steps on stage that the members are young, but as soon as they begin to play, their maturity wins over any type of crowd.

“People are very surprised when they play,” Rosenthal said. “They expect a teen band, but these kids are very talented.”

John Fichtner, father of Trevor, said established bands are taking notice.

“I saw the band warm up a professional band only for the crowd to ask for Nocturnal Rush to come back half-way through the [other] band’s set,” he said. “The other band had to let them come back on stage.”

As talented as they are, the 15- and 16-year-olds – newest and youngest member Heaney is 12 – are always working to get better. They take private music lessons to expand their musical abilities and technique as well as participate in composition and music theory classes. Many of the band members dabble with other instruments.

“Everyone has a lot of fun with it,” said Rosenthal.

The parents do as well. They are all dedicated to the band’s success and supportive of their children. Each plays a role of some sort for the band, whether managing media, co-writing music, handling equipment or chauffeuring the teens to practices and gigs.

The band’s dream: to get signed by a national label. And they believe there is some interest, which of course gives the parents lots to think about.

“It’s difficult at times as parents, but it’s what we want for them because they want it for themselves. If they become signed and are financially secure by the time they are 18, my work is done,” said Fichtner.

With five original songs in the band’s repertoire, plans are in the works for a studio recording this spring. If all goes well people in Northern Virginia and beyond will hear the new music and jump on the bandwagon.

“It’s a great ride to be on,” Fichtner said. “Northern Virginia will be very proud of their hometown teen band when they make it big.”

Making it big really is not required for that.

The band’s full schedule can be found at www.nocturnalrush.com. Also see Trevor's page on Paul Reed Smith Guitars.

[Editor's note: This story first appeared March 18.]