10-Year-Old Pianist to Perform at Nov. 21 Photo Show

Stockton’s Kramer Hall celebrates Hammonton’s Third Thursday on Nov. 21, 2013 with a performance by 10-year-old Cole T. Griscom, a budding pianist who will perform several classical arrangements along with some of his original scores.

Cole is a fifth-grade enrichment student at the Warren E. Sooy Elementary School in Hammonton who began formal piano instruction with Susan Watson Leiser of Hammonton just over a year ago.

He will play during the Noyes Museum’s Photography Opening of “Raw,” which runs from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Stockton’s Kramer Hall Art Gallery, 30 Front St.

Hundreds of images were submitted and the top 40 were chosen for this juried exhibition of images pertaining to New Jersey’s raw spirit, capturing the beauty and diversity of the state’s lands, people, animals, water and other aspects of nature.

Throughout his short time studying piano, Cole has been tackling pieces representing the Baroque, Classical and Romantic time periods.  Excelling at a rapid pace, he began to write his own music. He says he finds inspiration from his favorite romantic composers Chopin and Liszt.  His compositions range from a melodious Minuet to a mysterious Waltz to the contrasting movements showcased in his  Sonata No. 1.

When asked how he writes his music, Cole explains, “It’s like my fingers have their own little brains.”

Cole’s recent performances include the 2013 Atlantic County Teen Arts Festival and the Susan Watson Leiser Piano Studio, Spring Recital. He has attended the Southern New Jersey Consortium for the gifted and talentedSaturday program at the Galloway Township Middle School since first grade, enhancing his studies in geography, math, computers, science, art and drama. This past summer, he participated in the Hammonton Youth Theater’s musical theater production of Roald Dahl’s, “Willy Wonka.” 

Cole is the son of Lee and Laurie Griscom of Hammonton. Cole’s mother, Laurie, is director of Event Services and Campus Center Operations at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey.

This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

For more information, call (609) 626-3840.