The fifth annual Sound Effects concert to benefit Asheville Music School will be held on Thursday, April 27 from 6 – 10 PM at Isis Restaurant & Music Hall. The featured headliner will showcase AMS teachers and students covering The Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour album in its entirety with full instrumentation.
“We had such an amazing experience last year performing the entire Abbey Road, that we decided to perform another Beatles record ” said AMS Assistant Director Ryan Reardon. “It’s a really fun record, with songs like ‘I Am The Walrus’ and ‘All You Need Is Love.’” All proceeds from the event will benefit Asheville Music School’s operations, mission, and programs, particularly the school’s growing outreach and scholarship programs.
The event will also feature AMS Outreach ensembles, including the AMS Rock Band (aka Minør) and Vinyl Crossroads, as well as performances by AMS teachers, including local jazz pianist Michael Jefry Stevens, and DAO Trio. Attendees will have the opportunity to bid on a variety of silent auction and raffle items donated by area businesses, including a day of recording at Echo Mountain Recording Studio.
New this year is a “Busking It Forward” event on April 15, between noon and 2 pm, when Asheville Music School students will be busking in downtown to raise funds and awareness about the school, its scholarship programs, and the benefit concert. It’s an effort to involve the students in the philanthropic goals of the school.
Sponsors of the 2017 benefit include Salvage Station, Rewind 100.3, and Mountain Xpress, among many others.
About Asheville Music School
Launched in 1996 as a community-based business, Asheville Music School transitioned into nonprofit status in 2012 and relocated to Pack Square. AMS currently has an enrollment of nearly 400 students of all skill levels who study a variety of instruments in private and group lessons, summer camps, ensembles and workshops. The 37 members of the AMS music faculty are all professional music educators and teaching artists.
The mission of AMS is strengthening Western North Carolina communities through music education and outreach. Through the Paul Thorpe Music Education Fund, created in honor of the late director of the school, AMS has awarded more than $35,000 in scholarships to local youth and adults who are unable to afford music instruction and instruments. The Sound Education Outreach Program is comprised of youth and adult ensembles that perform free of charge for youth, seniors and people living with disabilities at community sites.
Tickets
Tickets to the event are $15 in advance and $18 at the door; $7 for children under 10; and free for ages 2 and younger. Advance tickets may be purchased on the Isis website at isisasheville.com, or in person at Asheville Music School. Attendees are encouraged to enjoy fine dining at Isis prior to the show; a portion of dinner sales will be donated to AMS. Dinner reservations are recommended and may be made by calling Isis at (828) 575-2737.
Photo and video credit: Michal Oppenheim