Susie Beresford, Edmonds KOMO Reporter
Thursday, March 15th 2012
Michael McMorrow, a long time Edmonds resident and Seattle musician and producer conceived the idea to blend classical, contemporary, professional and student musicians in one concert, unifying cultures, ages and musical genres. The reason behind this conception is to benefit school music programs throughout Washington State. This show is called Music Matters LIVE!
Music Matters LIVE! Is scheduled for May 12, 2012 at the Paramount Theatre. What is Music Matters LIVE!? It’s a concert, more like a 2 hour all out production featuring the
Synergia Northwest Orchestra alongside of some of the Pacific Northwest’s most high profile rock and pop recording artists and selected student musicians.
McMorrow grew up in Edmonds, in the “Bowl” and played music as a child, quickly finding his passion for anything music. He attended Holy Rosary, College Place Middle, and Seattle Prep. His career has involved him in indie and major labels, radio, and is currently a member of the Recording Academy of Arts and Sciences, a voting member of the Grammys and is an advisory board member of Music Aid Northwest. His music productions have included top bands in the area such as Alice In Chains, members of Soundgarden, Queensryche, the Posies as well as Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart among many others.
Being a father who loves music, it’s only natural that McMorrow’s son was going to be curious about music and want to get involved. One of his sons struggled in school with subjects such as reading and math. He wanted to try out the violin around the 4th or 5th grade. By the 5th grade, his son was playing in the school orchestra. Quickly, McMorrow noticed that his son’s grades were improving and his social circle had expanded. He was now an honor student. McMorrow said, “The evidence is clear, music boosts the brain development. Music and melodies can make connections in the brain.”
McMorrow who has served on the board of Music Aid Northwest, took interest in their Music Matters license plate campaign. With 5th grade music on the chopping block, he decided to jump on board and do what he could to get the word out that the money raised from the Music Aid Northwest license plates sold, the music programs could be saved. Music Matters LIVE! concerts have helped Music Aid Northwest in raising the capital needed to create a music-themed license plate that helps support school music programs through its sales. You can purchase one of these license plates through the Washington State Department of Licensing.
McMorrow talked about this huge event in the works, Music Matters LIVE! and his passion for it. From his description, it’s a 2 hour performance piece and the orchestra is “unbelievable”. So far, they have announced a few of the performers who will perform along with the Synergia Northwest Orchestra. These include, performances by Vicci Martinez, from The Voice; Yes's Grammy award winning Alan White and White; Heart guitarist Howard Leese; gritty Americana-laced Star Anna and The Laughing Dogs; and a first time dance and music performance by Dora Oliveira's Samba Reggae Revolution. Martinez will debut two brand new songs from her upcoming Universal Republic release "Vicci " with The Synergia Northwest Orchestra.
Wait, there’s more! There will be performances of selections from Elton John's rock classic Madman Across The Water. The original orchestra scores have been donated to Synergia Northwest especially for this event on behalf of Sir Elton John. Other very special guests will be announced soon. McMorrow said there are some amazing big names about to be announced.
What is the Synergia Northwest Orchestra? It was formed for the debut Synergia Northwest concert and is comprised of some of the area's finest professional classical musicians and selected players from Washington State All-State groups and regional youth and public school orchestras.
How do you get tickets to this amazing event? Tickets start at $21.25 (VIP Golden tickets are $67.25 which include preferred seating in the first 5 rows, pre-show meet and greet with the artists, and an autographed poster and photo opportunity). There are plenty of ways to order tickets, the Paramount Box Office is open Monday through Friday from 10am to 8pm, 24 hour Kiosks are located at the Paramount and Moore Theatres. You can call the box office at 877-784-4849 or order online through STG. Youth tickets (17 and under) are available at a 50% discount. Military discount is available by entering SALUTE in the discount box. (Discounts exclude VIP Golden Circle tickets.)
Stay tuned, we’ll be announcing the next artists soon who are joining the line-up of Music Matters LIVE! (Last year, Blues Traveler was on board so you know it’s going to be someone good!)
Being the Edmonds kind of guy, McMorrow is, he's also utilizing the Edmonds Center for the Arts for their technical week and final rehearsals.
I'm most definitely going to this event, are you?
Music Matters LIVE! Is scheduled for May 12, 2012 at the Paramount Theatre. What is Music Matters LIVE!? It’s a concert, more like a 2 hour all out production featuring the
Synergia Northwest Orchestra alongside of some of the Pacific Northwest’s most high profile rock and pop recording artists and selected student musicians.
McMorrow grew up in Edmonds, in the “Bowl” and played music as a child, quickly finding his passion for anything music. He attended Holy Rosary, College Place Middle, and Seattle Prep. His career has involved him in indie and major labels, radio, and is currently a member of the Recording Academy of Arts and Sciences, a voting member of the Grammys and is an advisory board member of Music Aid Northwest. His music productions have included top bands in the area such as Alice In Chains, members of Soundgarden, Queensryche, the Posies as well as Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart among many others.
Being a father who loves music, it’s only natural that McMorrow’s son was going to be curious about music and want to get involved. One of his sons struggled in school with subjects such as reading and math. He wanted to try out the violin around the 4th or 5th grade. By the 5th grade, his son was playing in the school orchestra. Quickly, McMorrow noticed that his son’s grades were improving and his social circle had expanded. He was now an honor student. McMorrow said, “The evidence is clear, music boosts the brain development. Music and melodies can make connections in the brain.”
McMorrow who has served on the board of Music Aid Northwest, took interest in their Music Matters license plate campaign. With 5th grade music on the chopping block, he decided to jump on board and do what he could to get the word out that the money raised from the Music Aid Northwest license plates sold, the music programs could be saved. Music Matters LIVE! concerts have helped Music Aid Northwest in raising the capital needed to create a music-themed license plate that helps support school music programs through its sales. You can purchase one of these license plates through the Washington State Department of Licensing.
McMorrow talked about this huge event in the works, Music Matters LIVE! and his passion for it. From his description, it’s a 2 hour performance piece and the orchestra is “unbelievable”. So far, they have announced a few of the performers who will perform along with the Synergia Northwest Orchestra. These include, performances by Vicci Martinez, from The Voice; Yes's Grammy award winning Alan White and White; Heart guitarist Howard Leese; gritty Americana-laced Star Anna and The Laughing Dogs; and a first time dance and music performance by Dora Oliveira's Samba Reggae Revolution. Martinez will debut two brand new songs from her upcoming Universal Republic release "Vicci " with The Synergia Northwest Orchestra.
Wait, there’s more! There will be performances of selections from Elton John's rock classic Madman Across The Water. The original orchestra scores have been donated to Synergia Northwest especially for this event on behalf of Sir Elton John. Other very special guests will be announced soon. McMorrow said there are some amazing big names about to be announced.
What is the Synergia Northwest Orchestra? It was formed for the debut Synergia Northwest concert and is comprised of some of the area's finest professional classical musicians and selected players from Washington State All-State groups and regional youth and public school orchestras.
How do you get tickets to this amazing event? Tickets start at $21.25 (VIP Golden tickets are $67.25 which include preferred seating in the first 5 rows, pre-show meet and greet with the artists, and an autographed poster and photo opportunity). There are plenty of ways to order tickets, the Paramount Box Office is open Monday through Friday from 10am to 8pm, 24 hour Kiosks are located at the Paramount and Moore Theatres. You can call the box office at 877-784-4849 or order online through STG. Youth tickets (17 and under) are available at a 50% discount. Military discount is available by entering SALUTE in the discount box. (Discounts exclude VIP Golden Circle tickets.)
Stay tuned, we’ll be announcing the next artists soon who are joining the line-up of Music Matters LIVE! (Last year, Blues Traveler was on board so you know it’s going to be someone good!)
Being the Edmonds kind of guy, McMorrow is, he's also utilizing the Edmonds Center for the Arts for their technical week and final rehearsals.
I'm most definitely going to this event, are you?
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