Local high school string quartet to help settle an old score

CINCINNATI - July 6, 2018 - PRLog -- When the touring show Beatles vs. Stones – A Musical Showdown comes to the Madison Theater on July 19, the Cincinnati Anderson High School String Quartet will join the professional musicians on stage to lend some local talent to this homage to the British Invasion.

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 Covington show is part of a 125 city tour of the U.S., Canada and Australia.

The string quartet: Graduated seniors Emily Lewis, Allison Seikmann, Jenny Gaffney and incoming sophomore Claire Seikmann 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."

Quartet members belong to prestigious area ensembles including, Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra, Forest Hills Quartet, Cincinnati Junior Strings, Allstate Regional Orchestra and Southwest Regional Orchestra. Members have consistently received Superior ratings at State Solo and Ensemble festivals, the Ohio Music Education Association Solo and Ensemble Festival, and Overture Awards competition.

How the "Beatles" and "Stones" connection was started: The producers of Beatles vs. Stones approached Anderson Orchestra Director Brian Siekmann looking for a talented ensemble that 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. The quartet's enthusiasm to perform led them to continue preparing for the show during the recent teacher walkout.

The quartet's Beatles or Stones fans: All members of the quartet are Beatles fans.

"I am a big Beatles fan. 'Hey Jude' or 'Eleanor Rigby' are my favorites.  I am really excited to play both my favorites with the band!'", Allison said."

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 comes to the Madison Theater on Thursday, July 19 at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $30 - $65 and may be purchased by phone at888-428-7311, at the theatre box office or online at www.madisontheateronline.com. The Madison Theater is located at 730 Madison Ave., Covington, KY (https://maps.google.com/?q=730+Madison+Ave.,+Covington,+K...)41011 (https://maps.google.com/?q=730+Madison+Ave.,+Covington,+KY+41011&entry=gmail&source=g). The show is appropriate for all ages.

And here is some additional information about the Anderson High School String Quartet:

Allison Siekmann, 18, began playing violin 11 years ago. After growing up with parents who are both music teachers, it came natural to her to pick up an instrument and start playing.

She is a member of the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra Philharmonic as well as the All-State Orchestra and the Southwest Regional Orchestra.  Allison was also a National Honors Society member, an Anderson Achiever- 4.0 GPA while being involved in an extracurricular - and an AP Scholar.

The graduated senior plans to attend Case Western Reserve to study Music Education.

Emily Lewis, 18, has been playing the violin for the past nine years.

She is a member of the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra Philharmonic for two years and the concert orchestra this past year. Emily also has belonged to Cincinnati junior strings for three years.

Emily has competed at the Southwest regional for two years, was an alternate at the state level, and received straight Ones at a solo and ensemble competition.

The graduated senior plans to attend the University of Dayton, majoring in Music Education.

Jenny Gaffney, 17, began playing viola nine years ago after following in the footsteps of her 'super cool' older neighbor.

Jenny enjoys the orchestra experience because she loves when a piece comes together and you really feel like everyone is playing together and that the orchestra is really in sync.

She has been a member of Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra for three years and became a section leader this year. Jenny also has been a member of the Forest Hills Quartet for six years.  She has competed at the Ohio Music Education Association Solo and Ensemble Festival for five years, the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra competition as well as the Overture Awards competition.

The graduated senior plans to attend Indiana University Bloomington for Music Performance with the goal of playing for a symphony upon college graduation.

Claire Siekmann,15, began playing cello eight years ago. She enjoys that idea it is a way to express herself while doing something that she really loves.

Claire has been a member of the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra Philharmonic for one year and the Forest Hill String Quartet for five years. She competed in the Regional Solo and Ensemble festival, where she received Ones for her solo performances.

The incoming sophomore plans to attend college to study a major with Mathematics but wants to minor in Music and continue her music education.