Heavy metal is not usually associated with orchestras.
But on Nov. 1, electric violinist Mark Wood was hard at work helping sixth, seventh and eighth grade musicians put the finishing touches on an orchestral version of the song “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne.
“This is not music,” said Wood, holding up sheet music to the more than 100 members of the Deer Path Middle School orchestra who were on the auditorium stage at Lake Forest High School. “This is GPS. What is music?”
After a couple false answers, one boy calls out “feelings.” A girl says, “emotion.”
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Wood agrees and the orchestra took up “Crazy Train” again.
Wood is a former member of the progressive rock band Trans-Siberian Orchestra, records his own music and has toured or worked with Billy Joel, Kanye West, Celine Dion and others. He owns Wood Violins, which manufactures electric violins, violas and cellos. He attended Juilliard School and loves classical music, but suggests its performers lack passion.
“What’s important in the 21st century is activating and engaging youth to feel music and art deeply as an essential part of their learning, not just notes,” Wood said during a lunch break. “Since rock is not as complicated as Stravinsky, the emphasis can be more on emotion.”
About 15 years ago, Wood started working with school music departments. The Deer Path Middle School and Lake Forest High orchestras have been practicing for the concert since September. Wood came in for rehearsals on Nov. 1 and 2.
“It’s fun,” said Kerry Hollander, an 8th grader who plays electric bass. “He explains the music well.”
A grant from the Spirit of 67 Foundation paid for Wood’s residency said Sarah Truding, co-director of the Deer Path Middle School orchestra.
“He encourages them to step out of the box of a normal student orchestra,” Truding said. “Not just playing the music but expressing it physically. Mark also differentiated the music. He gave us three different version of each song. (The student musicians) feel important even if they play a simplified version.”
Besides “Crazy Train,” the orchestras were scheduled to perform “Stairway to Heaven,” “Eleanor Rigby,” “Sunshine of your Love” and original music by Wood.
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