If Ballston Spa music students have ever wondered what it’s like to be a rock star, they’re sure to find out by the end of the night on Thursday, Feb. 11. That’s when 200 students from the elementary, middle and high schools will put on a one-of-a-kind rock orchestra performance as part of the program Electrify Your Strings.
For the past two months, orchestra students from around the district have been learning, practicing and perfecting songs for their next concert; except this time the music isn’t Beethoven or Bach, it’s Led Zeppelin and Coldplay. Humanities coordinator for the district Peg Brady stumbled across an advertisement for the innovative music program, offered by Emmy-award winning and original Trans-Siberian Orchestra member Mark Wood, and thought students would love it. She was right.
`It excited them so much to play popular music. They’re accustomed to playing classical and this is Led Zeppelin, the Beatles, etc. They don’t have this opportunity in the school curriculum to participate in a rock orchestra and they’re absolutely elated. It’s hysteria,` said Brady.
Music teachers and students received sound files and downloadable sheet music they’ve been practicing with in anticipation of Wood’s arrival. On Feb. 11, the musician who has worked with Billy Joel, Celine Dion, Lenny Kravitz, Jewel and others, will spend an entire day with the students to prepare them for the evening’s concert, which is free and open to the public.
Brady said Wood’s reputation for pushing kids out of their comfort zone is what attracted her most to the program because they’re not given such liberties on a regular basis. Wood said straying from what’s familiar and challenging them to understand music in a totally new way is invaluable and why he does this.
`I encourage them to play American music, which consists of an incredible amount of musical history from big band to jazz to rock and roll to country and hip hop. I introduce all the great American to historically classical-based pedagogy in the string world,` said Wood, who has been running this workshop program for about eight years. `I’m introducing them to another option and way of looking at music through their instruments. Music is a communicator and it’s a positive reinforcement so they connect deeper; have a deeper relationship with their instrument and music.`
After a 30-year career of touring the world and selling millions of records, Wood said it was time to give back. He said so far, he’s found `tremendous success connecting with the youth of America` and thinks it’s appalling that more great musicians aren’t providing similar services.
`We are the only ones in the world doing this and it amazes me and is shameful that people like Yo Yo Ma, Alicia Keys and other great musicians, rarely or ever spend commitment we do; not only empowering kids, which is key, but also spotlighting music teachers in the community,` said Wood.
He said he’s bringing star power to the students and teachers by doing a rock concert and helps to support a healthy music program, something that isn’t always assured with budgetary struggles.
`It’s a wonderful way of celebrating great American music programs and our music system in schools, which unfortunately tend to be the first things cut [in budgets],` said Wood.
Last year, Wood worked with roughly 40,000 string players around the country, visiting two to three schools a week, and raised $250,000 for music programs. He hopes to reach and surpass those numbers in 2010.
Besides having fun, Wood said he hopes his influence will encourage students to follow their dreams.
`We focus them and talk about how to engage in a career in music. More importantly than that`because there is such a small percentage of people who make a living in music`the bigger picture is that kid who doesn’t have a career but uses music in their own way to express deep emotions and explore deeper meaning in themselves,` said Wood.
Rocked up versions of classical tunes and Led Zeppelin, the Beatles and Coldplay will fill the Ballston Spa high school auditorium at 7 p.m. and Wood will perform with students on a seven string fretted electric Viper violin.
“
