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Last updated on Friday, May 10, 2013
(WASHINGTON) - Washington High School band members will put on a Broadway style show with Grammy nominated Liverpool Legends.
Liverpool Invading WHS Tonight
Tonight, the Liverpool Legends, a Beatles tribute band, out of Branson, MO. will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. in the Washington High School auditorium. About 200 tickets remain for the event and can be purchased in advance for $25 by calling 254-1598. Tickets will also be available at the door for $30.
Louise Harrison, George's sister, handpicked the Liverpool Legend.
Lindsay Owens, of the Washington Times-Herald reports, about 18 months ago, The Liverpool Legends and Louise Harrison started "Help Keep Music Alive," a program that pairs high schools across the country with the musical foursome to earn funds for music education. So far, about 50 shows have been put on.
Before the program was started, Marty Scott, who portrays George Harrison says student groups come to Branson and open shows for the group.
Each participating school is provided the music charts for the Beatles songs so that students can learn the music before the full length concert.
The Liverpool Legends will perform the first half of the show and the high school band will participate in the second half. The concert will cover early Beatles music all the way through the Sergeant Pepper era.
Every aspect of the show is just as it would be if the performance was taking place in Branson but the students will get to work with technology and lighting crews as well.
"It has been widely reported and proven that music is the one perfect way for humans to communicate and relate to each other regardless of culture or the part of the world they live in," said Louise Harrison. "My brother and his pals instinctively knew this and joyfully used music to unite in many ways all the people or at least all the people that would listen. This is part of why it is really important to keep music alive in schools."
Music programs are seeing major cuts in funding and many schools' programs have been either cut or drastically reduced but "Help Keep Music Alive" isn't just about raising money to support music programs.
"Maybe we will inspire a kid to go into music or the arts and if we do, then it's all worth it." Harrison added, "I hope they (the students) will each take this with them as a lesson for how to deal with all of life's problems with peace, love and music."
Harrison, 82, who is quite active in the Liverpool Legends and just returned with the band from a touring event in Israel, said both her "mum" and dad were the original "Beatle Boosters."
"They not only supported the lads but also answered thouands of fan letters, telling me, 'It is our responsibility as family to give back the love.'"
Both Harrison and Scott encourage students wanting to pursue music as a career to work hard and apply themselves, and never give up. Most importantly they said, "Only do it because you love what you are doing not to get rich. Rich has nothing to do with lots of money."
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