HOUSTON, TX (02/17/2017) When the touring show “In My Life – A Musical Theatre Tribute to the Beatles” comes to the Hobby Center on March 17, be on the lookout for two quartets — not just one.
The Cinco Ranch High School (Katy) String Quartet have the privilege of joining the professional actors on stage to add an element of orchestral texture to the evening.
Here’s the rundown:
The show: “In My Life” is the musical retelling of the Beatles story through the eyes of manager Brian Epstein and features the live music of renowned tribute band Abbey Road. The band features Chris Paul Overall (“Paul”), Nathaniel Bott (“John”), Zak Schaffer (“George”) and Axel Clarke (“Ringo”). Brian Epstein is played by Murphy Martin. 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 Beatles show in decades.
The string quartet: Cinco Ranch High seniors Aidan Gettemy and Daniela Melo, junior Janet Li and sophomore Joshua Jung will join the band for the songs “Eleanor Rigby,” “Yesterday,” “A Day in the Life,” “Hello Goodbye,” and “Hey Jude.” In a special touch, “Yesterday” is played as a scene in which the Paul McCartney character plays the song for the first time for Beatles producer George Martin, with the songwriter explaining that he envisioned a string-quartet accompaniment.
In addition to performing with Cinco Ranch High’s most advanced ensemble, the Sinfonia Orchestra, quartet members play with prestigious area ensembles, including the Houston Youth Symphony and All State Honors Orchestras. The young musicians have consistently received excellent ratings at University Interscholastic League (UIL) solo and ensemble competitions, Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) festivals, Houston Young Artists’ Concerts and the Coltman Chamber Competition.
String quartet for hire: The quartet performs at weddings and other events. Those interested in hiring the quartet may contact Brett Nelson at BrettTNelsen@KATYISD.ORG or (281)222-4307.
How the “Beatles” connection was started: The producers of “In My Life” approached CRHS Orchestra Director Brett Nelson looking 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 fans: Li, Melo and Gettemy are the quartet’s Fab Four fans.
Li and Melo’s favorite Beatles tune is “Hey Jude.”
“I’m excited that we get to play “Hey Jude” in the Beatles show,” she said.
The details: In My Life – A Musical Theatre Tribute to the Beatles is the award-winning musical biography of the Beatles through the eyes of manager Brian Epstein, featuring the live music of renowned tribute band, Abbey Road. The show is widely considered by industry insiders to be the most unique Beatles show in decades. The smash hit production performs at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts – Zilkha Hall on March 17 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $33- $64, plus applicable ticket fees, and may be purchased online at www.thehobbycenter.org, by phone at 713.315.2525 or at the Hobby Center Box Office. The show is appropriate for all ages.
And here is some additional information about the CRHS String Quartet:
Janet Li, 16, has been playing the violin for eight years. In addition to serving as the Concert Mistress for the RCHS Sinfonia Orchestra, Li has received superior ratings at UIL competitions and TMEA festivals. She has played with All-State Honors Orchestras.
“The violin is so interesting to play that I never get tired of practicing,” said Li. “I get to play with amazing people in our orchestra.”
She belongs to Music in Motion, a charitable school club which performs at nursing homes, the RCHS Future Business Leaders of America club, the Spanish Honors Society, National Honors Society and is an officer for her school orchestra.
The junior has a 4.625 grade point average and aspires to study computer science at a four year university.
Li is a Beatles fan and her favorite Fab Four tune is “Hey Jude.”
Daniela Melo, 19, has been playing viola for more than ten years. She plays with the CGHS Sinfonia Orchestra and has performed with All-State Orchestras and the Houston Youth Symphony. She received a excellent rating as a soloist in the TMEA Solo and Ensemble Festival earlier this year.
“The viola isn’t loud like the violin or dark like the cello,” said Melo. “It’s right in the middle and it’s beautiful.”
“I love playing in orchestra because you learn how to work together to make music and make friends.”
The senior plans to attend college after graduation and study Music Performance.
Melo is a Beatles fan and her favorite Fab Four tune is “Hey Jude.”
“I’m excited that we get to play “Hey Jude” in the Beatles show,” she said.
Joshua Jung, 15, has played the violin for six years. He is a member of the CRHS Sinfonia Orchestra and performed with the Houston Youth Symphony. He has received outstanding ratings with TMEA solo and ensemble competitions and UIL festivals.
“I enjoy developing as a musician and playing with like-minded people in orchestra,” said Jung
He is a member of his school’s Science Olympiad and Science Bowl, Mu Alpha Theta, a math honors society, and the Future Business Leaders of America club.
The sophomore plans to attend college and study engineering.
When Aidan Gettemy was seven-years-old, he heard cellist Jo Jo Ma perform and immediately began taking cello lessons. He was the principal cellist with the Houston Youth Symphony and was awarded the Performance Excellence Award by TMEA at the state level. He has received consistent superior ratings with UIL festivals and the Coltman Chamber Competition. He has performed with All-State Honors Orchestras and is a member of the RCHS Sinfonia Orchestra.
“I love the tonal sound of the cello and I’m interested in learning all aspects of the instrument,” said Gettemy, who plans to study cello in college.
The senior is a member of Mu Alpha Theta, the Spanish Honors Society and maintains a 4.7 grade point average.
Gettemy, 18, is a long-time Beatles fan.
And here is some additional information about CRHS Orchestra Director Brett Nelson:
Brett Nelsen has been the Orchestra Director at Cinco Ranch High School (CRHS) since the school’s inception during the fall of 1999. Prior to CRHS, starting his career in Katy in 1994, he served as the Orchestra Director at Beck Junior High when that facility opened in 1997. CRHS Orchestra is recognized as one of the top orchestra programs in the state. Under his leadership, CRHS Orchestras have been Honor Orchestra Finalists eight times in the past ten years in both string and full orchestras. CRHS Orchestras have consistently earned top prizes and have earned Outstanding Orchestra Awards in Festivals across Texas and the United States. Making their Carnegie Hall Debut with the National Band and Orchestra Festival in 2006, they performed to rave reviews by Craig Kirchoff, David Battisti, and H. Robert Reynolds. From 1998-2005 Mr. Nelsen was affiliated with The Greater Houston Youth Orchestra as conductor of the String Ensemble. He is sought after as a clinician for various region orchestras across the state. He also the longest served as Orchestra Division Chair for TMEA Region 23 from 2002 -2012.
Mr. Nelsen has lived in the Houston area practically all his life and where he has also received all of his schooling. He just completed a Masters in Music Education degree under Dr. Jennifer Mishra and studied conducting with Maestro Franz Anton Krager at the Moores School of Music at the University of Houston. Mr. Nelsen’s undergraduate work was completed at Rice University with a focus on Music and Managerial Studies.
Cinco Ranch High School Music Department’s other achievements: The Cinco Ranch Orchestra program consists of six performance ensembles. All students in the various performance ensembles perform at regular concerts throughout the year, participate in community service projects and are encouraged to participate in the fundraising process. Members participate in the UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest in February and the UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contests in the spring semester. Additional activities include auditioning for Region, Area, and All-State Orchestras and other youth orchestras in the Houston area. All students are encouraged to participate in all social activities planned for the orchestra program and annual spring trip.
And here is some additional information about “In My Life”:
“In My Life: A Musical Theatre Tribute to the Beatles” is the award winning, smash hit musical biography of the Beatles as seen through the eyes of their manager Brian Epstein and featuring the live music of renowned tribute band Abbey Road. This family friendly musical tale is widely considered by industry insiders to be the most unique Beatles show in decades.
“The show delivers!” said the L.A. Times. “If you see one tribute show, see this one – smart and loads of fun,” said the O.C. Register. “This is the ticket for you,” said the Idaho Statesman. “The most original of all the shows on the Beatles,” San Diego Theatre Review.
More than just a Beatles tribute concert, “In My Life” gives the audience a chance to “be there” at pivotal moments in the extraordinary career of the Beatles – from Liverpool’s legendary Cavern Club, to the Ed Sullivan Show, Shea Stadium’s 50,000 + screaming fans and their final live performance on the rooftop of their Apple Corp offices. With manager Brian Epstein serving as Narrator, “In My Life” allows the audience to get a glimpse inside the world of the Beatles from their point of view, as well as hear some of the greatest songs ever written.
“In My Life” takes the audience back to February 1964, when Americans saw the Beatles for the first time on the Ed Sullivan Show, playing I Want to Hold Your Hand. Progressing through their various musical stages, the audience re-experiences the psychedelic era of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, the creation of the haunting Yesterday and the raucous rock and roll of Revolution.