Yakima high school musicians to join the pros

YAKIMA, Wash. - Jan. 30, 2018 - PRLog -- When the touring show Beatles vs. Stones – A Musical Showdown comes to the Capitol Theatre, a string quartet composed of students from A. C. Davis and Eisenhower High Schools 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 Satisfaction 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 Showdown. 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 "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 Yakima show is part of a 110 city tour of the U.S., Canada and Australia.

The string quartet:Eisenhower High junior Dantzel Petersen, A.C. Davis High sophomore Enerida Mendoza, freshmen Nataly Mendoza and Anthony Marquez 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 Davis and Eisenhower High Orchestras, quartet members have performed with prestigious ensembles, including the Yakima Youth Symphony Orchestra (YYSO) and Yakima Music en Accion (YAMA). Petersen won last year's Washington Music Educator's Association (WMEA) Solo and Ensemble competition as a soloist and is the concertmaster of YYSO. Marquez, Enerida and Nataly Mendoza received a superior rating as a trio at a solo and ensemble festival in January.

How the "Beatles" and "Stones" connection was started: The producers of Beatles vs. Stones approached the Yakima Symphony Orchestra (YSO), looking for a talented ensemble of high school students which could hold their own with a rock band in front of an audience. The YSO facilitated auditions for a string quartet. The show commonly reaches out to local high school ensembles, making donations to their school music programs in exchange for student participation.

The quartet's Beatles or Stones fans: Marquez and Enerida Mendoza are the quartet's Beatles fans.

Marquez is a life-long Beatles fan and his favorite Fab Four tune is "Hey Jude."

"The Beatles wrote catchy songs," he said. "They were the original boy band."

Enerida's favorite song? "Don't Let Me Down."

The strings coach: Vanessa Moss is a first violinist with the Yakima Symphony and teaches with YAMA. She is rehearsing the quartet in anticipation of the Beatles vs. Stones show.

"This concert is the perfect opportunity for young musicians from both Davis and Eisenhower High Schools to come together - not only with each other, but with two awesome rock and roll bands!" said Moss.  "They can't wait to share the stage!"

The details: Two of the greatest bands of all time face off in a high-energy, adrenaline-pumping musical showdown. The Fab Four, represented by tribute band Abbey Road will engage in a barrage of hits against premier Rolling Stones tribute band Satisfaction."Beatles vs. Stones – A Musical Showdown" performs on February 14 at 7:30 pm at the Capitol Theatre. Tickets are $41-$61 and may be purchased online at www.capitoltheatre.org, by phone at 509.853.2787 or at the Theatre Box Office. Capitol Theatre is located at 19 S 3rd St, Yakima, WA 98901. The show is family friendly and appropriate for all ages.