“A classic rock band with Southern Illinois roots will join up with an unlikely group of performers in its return later this month to the city that gave it its start 45 years ago,” writes Chris Hottensen in Thursday’s (1/22) The Southern Illinoisan (Carbondale, Ill.). “Head East will team up with the Southern Illinois Symphony Orchestra on Thursday, Jan. 29 … for Rockin’ the Symphony, a special concert that will be broadcast in March for a PBS fundraiser. The unique blend of rock and symphonic sound … will allow symphony and classic rock lovers to cross genres and appreciate another musical form…. Roger Boyd, Head East keyboardist and founding member, said few rock bands are afforded the opportunity to perform with a symphony orchestra. … ‘I started lessons in the fourth grade, played in the University of Illinois marching band, concert band and symphony band…. So, especially for me to be able to play with a symphony is really happening…. We’re expecting the sound to be really lush,’ Boyd said.” SISO conductor Ed Benyas said he felt the orchestra adds a new dimension to the sound of the band. Southern Illinois Symphony Orchestra is based at the Southern Illinois University School of Music.
Posted January 26, 2015
