Orchestra follow The Beatles and record at Abbey Road

AN ORCHESTRA from Stratford is preparing to follow in the footsteps of the Fab Four.
The Stratford Festival Orchestra will be recording at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in February ahead of a performance
to mark the 50th anniversary of the release of the Beatles’ album Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
The 40-piece amateur orchestra, together with local choirs Shout and the Lady Belles, will perform the album live at Stratford Artshouse next June.
The orchestra and choirs have booked in at the world-famous studios to record selected tracks and soak up the atmosphere ahead of the June performance.
Players and singers will begin rehearsals in January and are inviting potential new members to join them.
Simon Kemp, musical director and arranger, said: “I want the Stratford Festival Orchestra to do exciting things – to share music with all of the players and our audiences and give everyone a great big musical buzz.
“The Beatles material really lends itself to an orchestra and has rich opportunities for vocal harmony. We’re looking forward to taking those songs that everyone knows and loves and creating an epic evening.”
The orchestra is also gearing up for two performances of ‘Baroque and Roll’ – orchestral twists on rock classics including Bat Out of Hell, Stairway to Heaven and Purple Rain – at Stratford Town Hall on December 9 and the Bear Pit Theatre on December 17. Visit stratfordartshouse.co.uk for tickets and further details.
The orchestra was formed earlier this year, and has members from across Warwickshire and surrounding counties.
Rehearsals take place on Monday evenings.
Visit stratfordfestivalorchestra.weebly.com for furtehr details.