World Renowned Electric Violinist Coming to Huntington
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, will bring his groundbreaking music education program to Huntington on Friday, October 5, working with students during the school day and performing with them at a public concert at Huntington High School at 7:30 p.m.
Mr. Wood is the owner and operator of Wood Violins, one of the largest electric violin manufacturing companies in the world. He studied under maestro Leonard Bernstein and is a Juilliard-trained violinist and Emmy-winning composer who has done string arrangements for Celine Dion and others.
In addition to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Mr. Wood has worked with Lenny Kravitz, Billy Joel, Everclear, and many others. He will be starring in an upcoming television advertisement for Pepsi.
At Huntington, Mr. Wood will be performing with the students on his handcrafted 7-string fretted electric Viper violin. School officials hope the exciting event will transform the student musicians into a full-fledged rock orchestra.
Friday night’s audience will be entertained by original material as well Mr. Wood’s exciting arrangements of music by Led Zeppelin, Cream, The Beatles, and more. As part of this year’s “Electrify Your Strings” tour, Mr. Wood 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. His 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 the Huntington concert, Mark will be teaching students from J. Taylor Finley Middle School and Huntington High School improvisation, composition, and personal expression on their violins, violas, cellos and basses. Utilizing Mr. Wood’s music arrangements that were sent to the district prior to this visit, orchestra students from both schools will perform in the live evening concert.
Tickets priced at $8 for adults and $5 for children will be available at the door. The facility is handicapped accessible. For more information call the Huntington music office at 673-2053.
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