The St. Charles community will celebrate music, unity and hope as the 14th annual Tyler Brett Caruso Memorial Concert kicks off the summer concert series in Lincoln Park, between 4^th and 5^th Streets in downtown St. Charles. The free concert, scheduled from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, June 2, 2016, will celebrate the life of Tyler Caruso, a St. Charles East High School student leader, musician, athlete and community activist who died unexpectedly of cardiac arrest on July 14, 2002, at the age of 17.

Tyler Caruso

Caruso devoted countless hours to the betterment of his high school and community. He had dreams for the future. One such dream has become a reality over the past 14 years, with the help of many dedicated individuals from the St. Charles Park District and high school representatives on the board of the Downtown St. Charles Partnership.

Caruso was one of the original high school representatives on the DSCP board. He had the idea to bring the community together for an evening of music and friendship soon after the St. Charles High Schools split into St. Charles East and St. Charles North High Schools. His untimely death preceded the first of many annual concerts held in his honor.

Family and friends will, once again, come together to celebrate Caruso’s many accomplishments and the success of his concert over the past 14 years.

This year’s St. Charles East High School representative is Ashley Cornille.

“Tyler’s impact is still very present at St. Charles East, and I can imagine the same is true for St. Charles North,” Cornille said. “Seeing the community come together for a fun-filled night is really inspiring. Even though the high schools are divided by the river, St. Charles always comes together for this amazing cause. Working on this project has been an awesome opportunity.”

Many local musicians and vocalists will be showcased at this year’s event. The 2016 Tyler Brett Caruso Memorial Scholarship recipients from both high schools will be introduced on stage. A total of 39 scholarships have been awarded from Tyler’s fund.

The St. Charles North High School representative, Lucy Gruber, said that having the opportunity to be a part of this concert has been an honor.

“I am reminded of a great spirit that Tyler held close to his heart,” she said. “It is always such a magical night with the two schools coming together to celebrate music, life, and community.”

The concert is free to the public. Monetary contributions can be made to benefit the scholarship fund: Tyler Brett Caruso Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o St. Charles East High School, 1020 Dunham Road, St. Charles, 60174.

The Caruso family extends a special thank you to Onesti Entertainment, St. Charles Park District, and R/J Recording & Sound for their generous contributions in making this a successful event year after year.

In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to the Baker Community Center, 101 South 2nd Street, St. Charles. For more information, please call 630-513-6200 or visit the website www.tylerbrettcaruso.com.

SOURCE: Tyler Brett Caruso Memorial Scholarship Fund news release