Submitted by Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia
When the touring show Beatles vs. Stones – A Musical Showdown comes to the Washington Center on November 8, the Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia (SOGO) String Quartet will have the privilege of joining the professional musicians on stage to add some orchestral texture to the evening.
Two of the greatest bands of all time face off in a high-energy, adrenaline-pumping musical showdown. The show pits Rolling Stones tribute band Satisfaction against rival Brit boys Abbey Road in an all-out musical showdown for rock dominance. With brilliant musicianship and authentic costumes and gear, Abbey Road plays beloved songs spanning the Beatles’ career.
They engage in a “showdown” of the hits with Stones tribute band Satisfaction – The International Rolling Stones Show, who offer a faithful rendition of 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. It has toured for years, with a critic for the Los Angeles Times at one point declaring: “this is the most unique tribute show in decades.” The Olympia show is part of a 125 city tour of the U.S., Canada and Australia.
The string quartet will perform seven songs with the bands. Members of the string quartet include Olympia area high school senior Caddie Derby and juniors Seth Harper, Miriam Silverman and Cooper Knutson will join the bands for the songs “Eleanor Rigby,” “Yesterday,” “A Day in the Life,” “Hello Goodbye,””Hey Jude,” “As Tears Go By,” and “Ruby Tuesday.”
“‘Eleanor Rigby’ is my favorite Beatles song and I’m excited we get to play this song in the Beatles vs. Stones show,” said Knutson.
All quartet members perform with SOGO’s most advanced group, the Conservatory Symphony. They have also performed with prestigious youth orchestras, including the All-State Orchestra, Olympia High School Chamber Orchestra and the North Thurston High School Chamber Orchestra. Members consistently receive superior ratings at Washington Music Educators Association (WMEA) solo and ensemble festivals and have participated at the Seattle Young Artists Music Festival, the Kairos Chamber Music Lyceum and the Evergreen Music Festival.
The producers of Beatles vs. Stones approached SOGO Chamber Music Ensemble Coordinator Mary Jo Rydholm looking for a talented ensemble which could hold their own with a rock band in front of an audience. The show commonly hires a local quartet to augment the production while on tour.
SOGO’s quartet performs at weddings and community events and is available for hire by contacting Mary Jo Rydholm at (360) 556-0819.
The show plays at The Washington Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday, November 8 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35/$45/$65 and may be purchased online at The Washington Center for the Performing Arts website, by phone at (360)753-8586 or at the Theatre Box Office. The Washington Center is located at 512 Washington St. SE in Olympia, WA 98501. The show is appropriate for all ages. The Abbey Road band performed to capacity crowds at the Washington Center in 2015 and 2016 with their show, “In My Life – A Musical Theatre Tribute to the Beatles.”
