Rock Island Music Association

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International recording artist Mark Wood, one of the original members of the multi-platinum selling Trans-Siberian Orchestra, is coming to the Rock Island-Milan School District to conduct a workshop and perform in concert with orchestra students on May 13 & 14, 2010.

International recording artist Mark Wood, one of the original members of the multi-platinum selling Trans-Siberian Orchestra and creator of the revolutionary Viper electric violin, is working to inspire young string players with “Electrify Your Strings,” his groundbreaking music education program.

Mark Wood will perform in concert with students from Rock Island High School, Bettendorf High School, Edison Junior High, Washington Junior High, and Bettendorf Middle School on Friday, May 14 at 7:00PM. This exciting event will transform the student musicians into a full-fledged Rock Orchestra!

Mark will be performing with the students on his handcrafted 7-string fretted electric Viper violin. The audience will be entertained by Mark’s original material, as well as his exciting arrangements of music by Led Zeppelin, Cream, The Beatles, and more. As part of this year’s “Electrify Your Strings” tour, Mark has been spending much of his time performing at schools all across the country, and has worked with orchestra directors to create more than 50 student rock orchestras.

Wood’s music programs build on the strong foundation in classical music provided by the music teachers at each school he works with; creating a partnership with educators to create a learning experience for music students that can grow and evolve from year to year. To prepare for this concert, Mark Wood will hold a student workshop on Thursday, May 13 to teach students improvisation, composition, and personal expression on their violins, violas, cellos and basses. Utilizing Mark’s music arrangements that were sent to school districts prior to this visit, the Rock Island & Bettendorf orchestra students will perform with Mark in a live concert, open to the public.

Concert: Friday, May 14, 7:00 p.m., Rock Island High School Auditorium, 1400 25th Avenue, Rock Island.

Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 on the day of the show. Tickets can be reserved by contacting Matthew Manweiler, Rock Island Orchestra Director, at // <![CDATA[
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