When the touring show “Beatles vs. Stones – A Musical Showdown” returns to the Campbell Heritage Theatre on Nov. 17, Prospect (Saratoga) High School String Quartet will join the professional musicians on stage to lend some local talent to this homage to the British Invasion.
The string quartet, Prospect High sophomores Saarthak Shankavaram, Michelle Xie, Juna Lee and Bruno Piccoli, will join the bands for the songs “Eleanor Rigby,” “A Day in the Life,” “Hello Goodbye,” “Hey Jude,” “Gimme Shelter” and “Ruby Tuesday.”
The show pits Rolling Stones tribute band Satisfaction against rival Beatles tribute band Abbey Road in a musical showdown for rock dominance.
Saarthak Shankavaram, 15, has been playing the violin for five years. He also plays the tabla, viola and piano.
Shankavaram is a member of San Jose Youth Symphony Philharmonic Orchestra. He was awarded first place in the San Jose Young Arts Competition as well as a SJYS Concert Orchestra Concerto Competition. As a result, he was invited to perform two solos with the SJYSPO.
“The thing I love about playing the violin is it allows me to explore some of the most interesting and expansive textures and sound, and how I can use it to help convey to my audience what I think the music is saying,” he said.
After high school, the sophomore hopes to pursue music professionally, either majoring in performance or composition.
Michelle Xie, 15, has been playing violin for eight years. She performs with the California Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.
“What I enjoy most of playing violin is how it is such a boundless way to express myself,” she said. “In orchestra, I enjoy the feeling of contributing to such dramatic and extravagant sounds.”
The sophomore plans to attend college and possibly pursue a degree in music as a minor.
Juna Lee, 15, has been playing the viola for four years and has been playing the violin for seven years. She is a member of CYPO.
“What I enjoy the most is how it gives me a sense of improvement and control over how I choose to express myself,” she said.
Bruno Piccoli, 15, has been playing the cello for six years and also plays piano.
“The thing I enjoy most about playing cello is probably the feeling of escape from reality when I play,” he said.
The sophomore hopes to pursue a career in either sports medicine or psychiatry.
“Beatles vs. Stones – A Musical Showdown” returns to the Campbell Heritage Theatre, 1 W. Campbell Ave., on Nov. 17 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $45, $55 or $65, plus ticket fees, and can be purchased online at heritagetheatre.org, by phone at 408.866.2700, or in person at the box office Tuesday–Friday from 10am–4pm and Saturdays from 10am–2pm.
