SAN ANTONIO – Northside ISD middle and high school students will perform with a member of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
International electric violin great Mark Wood loves the Alamo City for its diversity. In fact, he says it's his favorite place to come and perform.
So when Rayburn Middle School orchestra teacher Heather Gonzalez asked him to come to town for a concert, he couldn't turn it down.
"I felt it was important that we give back to the community because music is critically important and the arts are important," said Wood.
The students are turning into rock musicians in a concert event called "Electrify Your Strings!" Wood will perform with the students as part of his "Fire and Ice - Ignite the Passion Tour" at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Marshall High School auditorium.
Sixth-grader Brenden Griffin has been waiting for this moment for a long time, even though he only picked up the violin earlier this year. "I can't believe I'm here," he said.
Students like Griffin are learning the lessons of devoting time to practice for whatever it is that interests them. Of course, Wood hopes music will stick with them for life.
"I'm sharing the act of creativity and innovation," Wood said. "Right now, we need to be innovators in this country."
For Gonzalez, the practice and concert affirm to her that she's on the right path for her students.
"I'm really pleased and excited that it means we're going in the right way for this program and that Rayburn and our feeders and our high schools are going in the right direction and doing the right things for our kids."
Wood invented the electric violin when he was 10. He'll also be performing with the 7-string violin that he created.
Griffin thinks it's a little bit overwhelming to think about how much his idol has accomplished.
"He had to practice a lot and I can't believe he invented the electric violin at age 10," the boy said. "I'm already 12 and I haven't invented anything."
But that's alright, according to Wood. His message is that music will open all kinds of doors and dedication will see to it these students will succeed.