On Saturday, Dec. 17, Mark Wood, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and over 2,700 middle school students from the Sioux Falls middle schools performed at the Electrify Your Symphony concert at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center.

Electrify Your Symphony (EYS) is a “music education phenomenon,” created by Wood, that’s purpose is to “electrify” students and teachers in the arts and to fire them up about music.

“We’re going to burn up tonight,” said Wood to start the concert. “We’re here to celebrate the wonderment of music making. We’re inspiring these amazing kids and we’re inspiring the future.”

Not only is the purpose of EYS to get students and teachers excited about the arts but also to show the importance of them. In fact, all the proceeds from the concert go right back into the schools’ music programs.

“The arts are the most important thing,” said Wood. “They’re equal to athletics and equal to academics.”

Along with the concert, Wood and some of his orchestra spent time with the middle school students during the week to prepare them for the concert. They taught the students about performing, having a stage presence and complemented on the talent and preparedness of the students.

“This is one of the best music programs in the country, continue your great support,” said Wood.

No matter how important the arts are, Wood thinks the love for doing something in the arts is just as important. Teaching about how to play the correct notes of phrasing is important but passion is key.

“We are delivering our hearts to your hearts,” said Wood.

Through the ecstatic singing, dancing, playing of instruments and intense light shows, this passion was felt throughout the room from the moment of stepping into the PREMIER Center through the very last song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijcfdlP6sk4