International recording artist and Emmy award winning composer Mark Wood, an original member of the multiplatinum selling Trans-Siberian Orchestra and creator of the revolutionary Viper electric violin, is bringing his groundbreaking music education program Electrify Your Symphony! (EYS) to Tucson.

This exciting event will transform the student musicians into a full-fledged Rock Orchestra as exciting arrangements of contemporary pop music plus selections by AC/DC, The Beatles, and more entertain the audience!

Mark will perform with the students from Magee Middle School and Sabino High School in Tucson Unified School District on his handcrafted 7-string fretted electric Viper violin as part of the 2019 – 2020 Electrify Your Symphony! “Ultimate Tour” on February 25 at Sabino High School at 7 p.m. The concert is open to the public and all profits go to the school’s music program.

Mark Wood’s program, now celebrating its 20th year, has been featured on The Today Show, The CBS Evening News, and many more. It is a music education experience like no other.

Mark and his team work directly with a school’s orchestra director to tailor-design a rock orchestra makeover complete with a public performance at the end of the experience.

EYS builds on the strong foundation in traditional music provided by music teachers and creates a partnership with educators that inspires students and boosts their self-esteem and motivation on stage and off.

Mark Wood is the owner and operator of Wood Violins, the premier manufacturer of electric orchestra string instruments worldwide. He studied under Maestro Leonard Bernstein, is a Juilliard-trained violinist and Emmy- winning composer. In addition to his solo career and his work with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Mark has worked with Celine Dion, Lenny Kravitz, Billy Joel and more.

To prepare for this concert, Mark will teach the students improvisation, composition, and personal expression on their violins, violas, cellos and basses.

Utilizing his music arrangements that were sent to the district prior to this visit, orchestra students will rock alongside Mr. Wood and entertain the audience like never before.

Ticket Info: Suggested

Venue Info: donation $10                                                                                                Sabino High School

5000 N. Bowes Rd. Tucson, AZ

Rehearsals are open to the media.

Please contact: Leslie Lenhart, Communications, 520-225-6101 or Leslie.Lenhart@tusd1.org

For more information on Electrify Your Symphony! please visit www.electrifyyourstrings.com To find out more about Mark Wood, please visit www.markwoodmusic.com

The Viper electric violin is manufactured by Mark’s company – Wood Violins – www.woodviolins.com.

For more information, please contact school representative Danielle Applegate at 520-909-8914 or danielle.applegate@tusd1.org  and Electrify Your Strings’ Deb Wyant at 516-767-6677 or deb@markwoodmusic.com