Symphony Nova Scotia rocks you with the music of Queen

Symphony Nova Scotia rocks you with the music of Queen ’Äì ALMOST SOLD OUT!

Halifax, NS ’Äì Symphony Nova Scotia teams up with rock group Jeans ’Äòn Classics, guest vocalist Michael Shotton, and the Soundtrax Choir on Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28 at 7:30 pm to bring the epic rock of Queen to the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium.

Conducted by Maestro Bernhard Gueller, the orchestra will be pulling out all the stops to bring its big, broad sound to Queen classics such as Another One Bites the Dust, Killer Queen, We Will Rock You, Bohemian Rhapsody, We Are the Champions, Who Wants to Live Forever, You Take My Breath Away, The Show Must Go On, Under Pressure, Somebody to Love, and many more.

As vocalist Michael Shotton says, ’ÄúThis won’Äôt be one of those shows where you sit in your seats quietly and clap and say, ’ÄòWasn't that sassy!’Äô’Äù

These concerts are almost sold out, so get your tickets now! Tickets are $32-47.50 (HST included) or pick up a subscription and save up to 30%. Student and group discounts are also available. Call 494.3820 or 1.800.874.1669, or visit www.SymphonyNovaScotia.ca.

About Jeans ’Äôn Classics
Jeans 'n Classics is a group of rock musicians who love orchestras and are committed to popular music. They have performed with symphony orchestras across the continent with arrangements that remain ideally poised between staying true to the original rocker spirit and creating a new, broader rock and roll sound.

About Michael Shotton
English-born Michael Shotton has led a life of rock and roll. The singer, drummer, composer and producer has recorded with rock icons such as Boston, Guns N’Äô Roses, Diamond Life, and Von Groove. He wrote and co-produced the 2007 anthem for the Canadian Special Olympics as well as a 9/11 fundraiser song featured on a compilation disc with Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney. Shotton’Äôs enormous vocal range, charismatic stage presence and lust for life have made him an international audience favourite and captivating performer.

About Symphony Nova Scotia
Expect the Unexpected with Symphony Nova Scotia ’Äì from Baroque to Berlioz to bluegrass! Each year the 37-member ensemble performs for more than 40,000 audience members (including 14,000 young music lovers) in communities across Nova Scotia. Under the inspirational leadership of Bernhard Gueller, Symphony Nova Scotia is recognized as one of the finest orchestras in the country. Join the orchestra in celebrating its 25th anniversary this season!

Symphony Nova Scotia is grateful to the Canada Council for the Arts, Nova Scotia Tourism, Culture, and Heritage, and the Halifax Regional Municipality for their continued support.

ESO Concert Announcement: Rajaton Sings Queen with the ESO- October 14, 2008

The Music of Queen

with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra &

Rajaton

Tuesday, October 14, 2008- 7:30pm

Edmonton, AB ’Ķ The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) is pleased to welcome back Finnish vocal sensation Rajaton. After dazzling their audience at their Winspear Centre debut in April, 2005, the Finnish a cappella group joined the ESO on June 10^th, 2008 for an exciting salute to ABBA. Fresh off the heels of that triumph, Rajaton returns to the ESO stage for another salute - this time, the towering power pop of Queen on Tuesday, October 14^th.

Edmonton Audiences will be dancing in the aisles at the North American premiere of this Tribute performance. Rajaton will be performing classic Queen hits such as We Will Rock You, Somebody to Love, Another One Bites the Dust and many more.

Rajaton consists of Essi Wuorela (soprano), Virpi Moskari (soprano), Soila Sariola (alto), Jussi Chydenius (bass), Hannu Lepola (tenor), and Ahti Paunu (baritone). The group struck gold with their first-ever album with accompaniment - Rajaton sings ABBA, recorded with the Lahti Symphony. The album sold platinum in Finland, and has become a worldwide cult hit. Joining Rajaton and the ESO will be conductor Jaakko Kuusisto.

Tickets for this performance are on-sale NOW. Ticket prices range from $36 to $53 (agency fees apply).

This is an ESO special presentation. For more information on Rajaton, please visit www.rajaton.net

Media Sponsors: the Edmonton Journal

Hotel Sponsor: The Westin Hotel Edmonton

Biographies

The Finnish word Rajaton translates as "boundless" ’Äì and that's precisely the right word to describe the way this vocal ensemble approaches music. The six-piece a cappella group has performed around the world at concert halls, churches, and jazz festivals, singing everything from spiritual music to pop hits. In fact, it's hard to imagine an audience that Rajaton could not reach with their music, or a type of music Rajaton could not make their own. Founded in Helsinki in 1997, Rajaton consists of Essi Wuorela (soprano), Virpi Moskari (soprano), Soila Sariola (alto), Jussi Chydenius (bass), Hannu Lepola (tenor), and Ahti Paunu (baritone). After several extensive tours, Rajaton has gained recognition and earned rave reviews across Europe. In recent years, the group has also made headways into the North American and Asian markets, with concerts in Canada, the U.S. and Korea among others.

In their native Finland, Rajaton are a bona fide pop phenomenon. In 2003, the group rose to no. 2 on the charts with their album Joulu ("Christmas"), a double-platinum-selling holiday collection featuring both original compositions and innovative versions of seasonal standards. In 2006, the album Rajaton sings ABBA with the Lahti Symphony Orchestra topped the charts in Finland in its release week and sold platinum in a month. It was the first album featuring other than a cappella songs, and also the first one consisting solely of cover material. Altogether, Rajaton have one double platinum, two platinum and five gold records in Finland and their albums have sold over 200,000 copies worldwide.

Local success has done little to diminish the group's ambition to bring their music to new audiences. Rajaton will continue to tour internationally, once again amazing all kinds of audiences with their combination of technical excellence, entertainment value, artistic depth ’Äì and pure passion for music.