articipating Bermuda School of Music (BSM) strings students are destined for an unforgettable experience next weekend when dynamic international recording artist Mark Wood, one of the original members of the multi-platinum selling Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and creator of the revolutionary Viper electric violin, brings his groundbreaking music education programme, ?Electrify Your Strings?, to the Island.

The goal of the programme is to inspire young string players to explore new boundaries and find a musical balance between classical and modern music, such as jazz, blues and rock.

While classical music is the bedrock of all genres of music, and Mr. Wood is classically trained, he also acknowledges that in today?s world there is a generation gap when it comes to classical music.

?Young people aren?t interested in 18th century music,? he is quoted as saying, so he aims to show students that modern music is just as valuable as that which was written 400 years ago.

But why strings?

?They are the last frontier when it comes to exploring modern music, but most students only learn classical music,? he has said.

Putting these philosophies into practice during Mr. Wood?s workshops and concerts virtually ensures that participants experience a dynamic musical adventure.

During the workshops on January 13 and 14 at Warwick Academy, beginning through advanced students will learn improvisation, composition and personal expression on their violins, violas, cellos and basses in preparation for the concerts to follow.

Mr. Wood is the owner-operator of Wood Violins, one of the largest electric violin manufacturing companies in the world. He studied under Maestro Leonard Bernstein, and is a Juilliard-trained violinist and Emmy-winning composer who has done string arrangements for Celine Dion and others.

In addition to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Mr. Wood has worked with Lenny Kravitz, Billy Joel, Everclear, and many others. He will be starring in an upcoming TV spot for Pepsi.

In Bermuda, he will be performing with strings students on his handcrafted, seven-string fretted electric Viper violin. This exciting event will transform the student musicians into a full-fledged Rock Orchestra.

The audience will be entertained by Mr. Wood?s original material, as well as his exciting arrangements of music by Led Zeppelin, Cream, The Beatles and more.

As part of this year?s ?Electrify Your Strings? tour, the internationally-renowned violinist has spent a great deal of his time performing at schools across America, and has worked with orchestra directors to create more than 50 student rock orchestras.

His music programmes build on the strong foundation in classical music provided by the music teachers at each school with which he works. The partnership with educators creates a learning experience for music students which can grow and evolve from year to year.

Mr. Wood?s workshop for beginning to advanced string students will be held at Warwick Academy, and culminate in a live performance which will be open to the public.

Fees for the workshops are as follows:Cost: $75. Includes one adult ticket to final performance. 4.5 hours of class, dress rehearsal and concert. $35. Includes one junior ticket to final performance. 1 hour and 45 minutes of class. Sunday, January 14, 7 p.m. at Warwick Academy, 117 Middle Road. Admission: adults $10, children under 18 $5.

For further information on the ?Electrify Your Strings? programme visit the website www.electrifyyourstrings.com

For further information on Mark Wood visit web site www.markwoodmusic.com.

The Viper electric violin is one of several electric instruments manufactured by Mark?s company Wood Violins. For further information visit web site www.woodviolins.com.

Bermuda contact: Chas Arnold, Bermuda School of Music. e-mail: chasbermuda.com.