CORNELIUS ó Mark Wood, an original member of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, led a workshop and concert at W.A. Hough High School in Cornelius.
As a result, 140 area students from 27 public, private, charter and home schools in Mecklenburg, Iredell and Rowan counties were transformed into a full-fledged Rock Orchestra, the ěAll-Star Orchestra.î
Students Shea Hardman of China Grove Middle and Abby Blume of Corriher-Lipe Middle School are in Frank Albertís After-School Strings class held at Landis Elementary, and sponsored by the Salisbury-Rowan Symphony Society.
ěThese girls have worked hard and earned this opportunity,î Albert said.
Blume is a fourth-year student in the program and Hardman is in her third year.
Blume performed at the front of the stage with Mark Wood on one song during the program.
Both students started as beginners in third grade. The students paid no fee to participate in the program which was financed by Bailey Orchestra Patrons, the parent booster group responsible for planning the event and was also sponsored by Albertís business, Davidson Violins, a violin shop in Davidson.
Wood is an international recording artist, inventor of the revolutionary Viper electric violin, SV Stingray violin, and Cobra cello.
His groundbreaking program, Electrify Your Strings, has re-lit the fire of musicianship and performing in thousands of young string players nationwide in a unique combination of classic rock songs and improvisational methods.
Wood is one of very few world class performers willing to take the time to communicate with students and perform alongside them in a rock- style concert.