Tonight we went to DS16's concert at the High School. They have been working all year on a new program called "Electrify Your Strings."
Mark Wood, a highly regarded electric violinist who plays with the Trans Siberian Orchestra, and his band tour the country working with high school string players, culminating in a concert in which usually classical string players are accompanied by an electric rock band. The results were incredible. I will try to get a video, but I just can't get over how unique and AWESOME it was.
They played the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Aaron Copeland, and Queen, to name a few. There were 37 students led by Mark Wood's band. Each player in the band was mirrored by a student, so there were two drummers, two electric bass players (my son played bass), two guitarists, and two electric violinists. Plus a string orchestra, over 30 pieces. All students were selected by audition in September.
They played so incredibly well -- it was the best concert I have ever seen at the high school, by a very long shot. The kids had such a blast, I have never seen kids so pumped at a school concert. My son got so much out of it, he got to work with a world class bass player, and he learned some new tricks, too.
Mark Wood is bringing this program to high schools around the country... if you are interested in trying to get your school's music director in touch with him, here's a link:
Electrify your strings!
Mark Wood, a highly regarded electric violinist who plays with the Trans Siberian Orchestra, and his band tour the country working with high school string players, culminating in a concert in which usually classical string players are accompanied by an electric rock band. The results were incredible. I will try to get a video, but I just can't get over how unique and AWESOME it was.
They played the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Aaron Copeland, and Queen, to name a few. There were 37 students led by Mark Wood's band. Each player in the band was mirrored by a student, so there were two drummers, two electric bass players (my son played bass), two guitarists, and two electric violinists. Plus a string orchestra, over 30 pieces. All students were selected by audition in September.
They played so incredibly well -- it was the best concert I have ever seen at the high school, by a very long shot. The kids had such a blast, I have never seen kids so pumped at a school concert. My son got so much out of it, he got to work with a world class bass player, and he learned some new tricks, too.
Mark Wood is bringing this program to high schools around the country... if you are interested in trying to get your school's music director in touch with him, here's a link:
Electrify your strings!
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