Local youth string quartet to join the pros

LAKE CHARLES, La. - July 5, 2016 - PRLog -- When the touring show Beatles vs. Stones - A Musical Shoot Out comes to the Lake Charles Civic Center on August 3, the Dr. Francis G. Bulber Youth String Quartet will have the privilege of joining the professional musicians on stage to add some orchestral texture to the evening.

The show pits Rolling Stones tribute band Jumping Jack Flash 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 Shootout." Taking the side of the Fab Four is Abbey Road, one of the nation's top Beatles tribute bands. With brilliant musicianship and authentic costumes and gear, Abbey Road plays beloved songs spanning the Beatles' career. They engage in a "shootout" of the hits with Stones tribute band Jumping Jack Flash, 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 Orange County Register at one point declaring, "If you see one tribute show, see this one - smart and loads of fun." The show is widely considered by industry insiders to be the most unique tribute show in decades.

The string quartet:  Francis G. Bulber Youth String Quartet members Andrew Wang, Darrin Nixon, Bethany Williams and Hannah Guillory 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."

In addition to performing with the highest orchestra of the FGBYO, quartet members play with area youth ensembles, including the S.J. Welsh Colt String Orchestra, the Barbe High School Orchestra and the Spirit of St. Louis High School Band. All members have received superior ratings at solo and ensemble competitions and Wang has placed first for the last five years with at the Louisiana Music Teachers Association Piano Rally.

How the "Beatles" and "Stones" connection was started: The producers of "Beatles vs. Stones" approached Kathleen Evans of FGBYOlooking for a talented ensemble which could hold their own with a rock band in front of an audience. The show commonly uses a local quartet to augment the production while on tour.

The quartet's Beatles or Stones fans: Guillory is the quartet's Beatles fan. She is a long time fan and her favorite Fab Four tune is "Hey Jude."

"I grew up listening to Beatles music with my dad," said Guillory. "We are thrilled to be performing with the Beatles vs. Stones show and grateful for the invitation."

The details: The two greatest rock 'n' roll bands of all time face off as the Lake Charles Civic Center Rosa Hart Theatre hosts tributes to the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Renowned tribute bands Abbey Road and Jumping Jack Flash engage in a musical "shootout" of the hits. "Beatles vs. Stones - A Musical Shootout" performs on August 3 at 7:30 pm at the Lake Charles Civic Center. Tickets are $35 - $90 and may be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com, by phone to 800-745-3000 or 866-448-7849 or at the theatre box office. Discounts are offered for active military, seniors, students and groups. VIP tickets may be purchased for preferred seating, private meet and greet with the bands, signed photograph and commemorative show key chain. The Box Office is open Monday - Friday from 8:30AM- 4:30PM. The Rosa Hart Theatre is located at 900 Lakeshore Drive in Lake Charles, LA 70602. The show is appropriate for all ages.

And here is some additional information about the members of the Dr. Francis G. Bulber Youth String Quartet:
Andrew Wang, 13, has been playing the violin for seven years and also plays the piano. He is a member of the Francis G. Bulber Youth Orchestra and placed first for the past five years at the Louisiana Music Teachers Association Piano Rally. He was recently invited to participate in a recital hosted by the Lake Charles Piano Teachers Association.
Wang is an honor roll student at Bishop Noland Episcopal Day School and plays basketball for his school. He plays chess in his spare time.

Darrin Nixon, 15, has been playing the violin for five years. He is a member of the Barbe High School Orchestra as well as the FGBYO. He has received consistently superior ratings in state solo and ensemble festivals. Nixon also sings with the Barbe High School Choir.

Bethany Williams, 15, has been playing the viola for four years. In addition to playing with the most advanced orchestra of the Francis G. Bulber Youth Orchestra, she performed with the S.J. Welsh Colt String Orchestra.


The sophomore maintains a 4.1 grade point average and aspires to become a physician.

Hannah Guillory, 15, has been playing the cello for six years and has been studying music since the age of four. She is member of the Francis G. Bulber Youth Orchestra and performed with the Spirit of St. Louis High School band. She is the captain of her school's color guard. She has received consistently superior ratings in multiple solo and ensemble festivals.