Huntsville Symphony Offers Beatles Tribute May 13th

The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra presents the next best thing to a Beatles reunion as it closes the 2005-06 Pops Series with Classical Mystery Tour. This highly popular Beatles tribute band composed of Beatlemania veterans has received nationwide acclaim from its numerous symphony orchestra appearances. Classical Mystery Tour and the HSO, conducted by William Grimes, will perform on Saturday, May 13 at 7:30 p.m.in the VBC Concert Hall. AmSouth Bank is the concert sponsor.

From their first show in Los Angeles, Classical Mystery Tour has been a hit with both critics and fans. The Los Angeles Times called the show "more than just an incredible simulation...the swelling strings and soaring French horn lines gave Saturday's live performance a high goose-bump quotient...the crowd stood and bellowed for more."

Conceived in 1996 by Jim Owen (John Lennon), this unique show presents some twenty compositions by the Beatles, performed exactly as they were written, complete with costumes, lights, theatrical effects and the specific orchestrations the Beatles used in their innovative songs that blended classical with rock music. Hear "Penny Lane" with a live trumpet section; experience the beauty of "Yesterday" with an acoustic guitar and string quartet; enjoy the rock-classical blend on the hard edged "I Am the Walrus." From early Beatles music on through the solo years, Classical Mystery Tour is the best of the Beatles as fans have never heard them: totally live with a full symphony orchestra.

The band includes Jim Owen (John Lennon) on rhythm guitar, piano, and vocals; Tony Kishman (Paul McCartney) on bass guitar, piano, and vocals; Tom Teeley (George Harrison) on lead guitar and vocals; and Chris Camilleri (Ringo Starr) on drums and vocals.

"We really make an effort to sound exactly like the originals," explains Owen, who admits that he and the other three Classical Mystery Tour members are big Beatles fans. "The orchestra score is exact, right down to every note and instrument that was on the original recording. On 'Got to Get You Into My Life,' we have two tenor saxes and three trumpets. That's what it was written for, and that's what we use. And on 'A Day in the Life,' can you imagine that big orchestra crescendo happening live?" Many Beatles fans never had the opportunity to experience a live Beatles show; Classical Mystery Tour offers that live experience in the VBC Concert Hall.

Tickets may be purchased by phone at 539-4818, in person at the HSO Offices and online at www.hso.org. Tickets may also be purchased the night of the concert at the Concert Hall beginning at 6:15 p.m. Single ticket prices range from $27 to $58, with student and group rates available, and there is a $5.00 student rush beginning at 7:20 p.m.

The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, North Alabama’s premiere performing arts organization, provides high quality classical music performances and education to the entire region. More information is available at 539-4818 and www.hso.org.

William Grimes, Guest Conductor

A familiar face to HSO Pops audiences, guest conductor William Grimes is also a composer, arranger, jazz bassist, and teacher. As a conductor of Pops Orchestras, he has worked with such artists as Doc Severinson, Judy Collins, Charlie Daniels, and Monica Mancini along with such orchestras as the Tulsa Philharmonic, Louisiana Philharmonic and the Minnesota Orchestra. His arrangements and compositions have been performed in this country and in Europe as well as featured on Evening at Pops. Grimes recently completed a recording project in the Czeck Republic with the Janacek Philharmonic featuring the music of George Gershwin. His latest jazz recording is entitled Standards, Volume 1, with the Grimes-Robinson quartet. Currently, Grimes is Professor of Music at the School of Music at LSU in Baton Rouge. Grimes holds the Bachelor of Music degree from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and the Masters and Doctorate from the prestigious Eastman School of Music.

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