Bellaire HS String Quartet To Join Beatles vs Stones Tour

BELLAIRE, TX — An accomplished string quartet at Bellaire High School will join a show touring through Houston next month, and it's one their parents and grandparents are sure to enjoy. Bellaire senior Emily Pan and juniors Dorothy Zhan, Jesse Ji and Chloe Trinh will join professional musicians on stage during the touring show Beatles vs. Stones – A Musical Showdown.

The show pits Rolling Stones tribute band Satisfaction against rival Brit boys Abbey Road in an all-out musical showdown for rock dominance. The string quartet will perform seven songs with the bands to add some orchestral texture to the evening.

Next month's show will be on May 20 at Zilkha Hall at the Hobby Center. The Houston show is part of a 125 city tour of the U.S., Canada and Australia.

Beatles vs. Stones - A Musical Showdown is about two of the greatest rock 'n' roll bands of all time facing off. Taking the side of the Fab Four is Abbey Road, one of the nation's top Beatles tribute bands. With brilliant musicianship and authentic costumes and gear, Abbey Road plays beloved songs spanning the Beatles' career. They engage in a "showdown" of the hits with Stones tribute band Satisfaction - The International Rolling Stones Show, who offer a faithful rendition of the music and style of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and the bad boys of the British Invasion. The production includes multimedia, period costumes and vintage instruments.

It has toured for years, with a critic for the Los Angeles Times at one point declaring: "this is the most unique tribute show in decades."

The Bellaire quartet will join the bands for the songs "Eleanor Rigby," "Yesterday," "A Day in the Life," "Hello Goodbye," "Hey Jude," "As Tears Go By," and "Ruby Tuesday."

"The producers of Beatles vs. Stones approached Bellaire High School High Orchestra Director Laurette Reyonsa looking for a talented ensemble which could hold their own with a rock band in front of an audience," the show said in a release. "The show commonly hires a local quartet to augment the production while on tour."

Trinh and Zhan are the quartet’s biggest Beatles fans.

“The Beatles are so iconic and have tons of great songs, but ‘Eleanor Rigby’ is definitely one of my favorites," Zhan said. “I’m excited that we get to play this song in the Beatles vs. Stones show.”

Trinh said "Penny Lane" is one of her favorite Beatles songs.

Pan, 18, has been playing violin for 12 years. Violin playing runs in the family, so she started at a young age. She performed with the All-Region Orchestra for four years and the All-State Orchestra for three years. Pan received Superior ratings at a UIL solo contest.

When asked why she enjoyed the orchestra experience Pan said, “it’s a great way to gain leadership experience as well as collaboration. There is just a lot of love for music in the orchestra.”

Along with being the President of the orchestra program, Pan is the treasurer for the school’s Math Honors Society, Mu Alpha Theta.

She plans to attend a four year university and study Science.

Trinh, 16, began playing the cello when she was 10. She competed in a UIL Solo and Ensemble competition, receiving a Superior rating.

“I chose to play the cello because I love the low registers of the instrument,” she said.

When she is not playing music, Trinh enjoys dancing with her dance troop and volunteering with a school club, Students without Borders.

“The conductor is a great guide in helping the group work together as a team to make great music.”

Ji, 17, has been playing viola for a year, after making the transfer from violin. He performed with the Houston Youth Orchestra and the Texas All-State Orchestra. He has competed in UIL at both the state and regional level receiving Superior ratings.

“I think the violin is brighter while the viola is somber," Ji said. "I like classical music so I enjoy being able to create it with the other students and it’s lots of fun to play with them too.”

In addition to music, Ji is involved in the Young Democrat Club and interns at a local candidate’s office. He is a member of National Honors Society, Mu Alpha Theta, and the German National Honors Society.

He plans on going to college and one day working in the field of medical research, but would still like to keep music as an active part of his life.

Zhan, 17, has been playing violin since she was 7. She played with the Houston Youth Orchestra. Dorothy has received Superior ratings at UIL Solo and Ensemble competitions.

“My brother is a lot older than me and played violin, so I followed in his footsteps, like most younger siblings do,” Zhan said.

Zhan is involved in her school dance company, where she choreographs dances for student to perform with the orchestra. She is the creator of Free The Captive club, combating Houston human trafficking.

“I love being in orchestra because it’s all about working together as a team to make something sound so beautiful.”

Zhan plans on studying health care management in college.

Laurette Reynosa is Director of the Orchestra and Piano Program at Bellaire High School. Under her direction, her orchestras have received many honors, including UIL Sweepstakes and Best in Class awards in festivals across the state. Her orchestras have also consistently placed as finalists in the Texas Honor Orchestra Competition.

The show will be at Zilkha Hall at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, May 20 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $44-$64 and may be purchased by phone at 713.315.2525, at the Theatre Box Office or online at www.thehobbycenter.org.

Zilkha Hall at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts is located at 800 Bagby Street, Ste. 300, Houston, TX 77002. The show is appropriate for all ages.

Top image by Laurette Reynosa/Bellaire High School