St. Charles East quartet to join 'Beatles vs. Stones' show in Elgin
When the touring show "Beatles vs. Stones - A Musical Showdown" comes to the Hemmens Cultural Center on Monday, Sept. 23, the St. Charles East High School string quartet will join the professional musicians on stage to add some orchestral texture to the evening.
The show pits Rolling Stones tribute band Satisfaction against rival Brit boys Abbey Road in an all-out musical showdown for rock dominance. The string quartet will perform seven songs with the bands.
Here's the rundown:
The show
The two greatest rock 'n' roll bands of all time face off in "Beatles vs. Stones - A Musical Showdown." Taking the side of the Fab Four is Beatles tribute band Abbey Road. Abbey Road plays songs spanning the Beatles' career. They engage in a "showdown" of the hits with Stones tribute band Satisfaction - The International Rolling Stones Show, who present the music and style of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and the bad boys of the British Invasion. The production includes multimedia, period costumes and vintage instruments. The Elgin show is part of a 125-city tour of the U.S., Canada and Australia.
How it started
The producers of "Beatles vs. Stones" approached St. Charles East High School orchestra director Daniel Beder looking for a talented ensemble of high school students which could hold their own with a rock band in front of an audience. The show commonly reaches out to local high school orchestras, making donations to their school music programs in exchange for student participation.
The string quartet
St. Charles East High School seniors Ayu Seiya, Lasey Emmerich, Storey Childs and Trudie Childs will join the bands for the songs "Eleanor Rigby," "A Day in the Life," "Yesterday," "Hello Goodbye," "Hey Jude," "As Tears Go By," and "Ruby Tuesday."
In addition to performing with the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Midwest Young Artist Conservatory, members have competed at local and regional solo and ensemble festivals where they have consistently received superior ratings.
Ayu Seiya, 17, has been playing violin for eleven years. He is a member of the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra.
"I like that orchestra allows me to meet other students that have similar interests as me," Seiya said.
Lasey Emmerich, 17, has been playing violin for nine years. She has participated in the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra for the past seven years.
"I like that I get to play all the music I really like to listen to, while making a lot of friends," she said.
Storey Childs, 18, has been playing viola for eight years. She participates in the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra.
"I really see viola as a supporting instrument, especially in an orchestra, and that is a position I really enjoy being in."
Trudie Childs, 18, has been playing cello for eight years. She is a member of the Midwest Young Artist Conservatory program.
"I really enjoy the environment of the orchestra. I like how it can go from being so stressful to completely relaxed."
Storey Childs and Trudie Childs are the quartet's Beatles fans.
"'Blackbird' has to be my favorite song," said Storey.
"My favorite Beatles song is definitely 'Twist and Shout,'" said Trudie.
If you go
The show runs from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23 at the Hemmens, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Tickets are $35-$75 and may be purchased by phone at (847) 931-5900, at the box office or online at www.hemmens.org. The show is appropriate for all ages.