Mark Wood, a rock violinist and ‘Disruptor’, came to Mead to work with the orchestra and hold a fundraiser concert on Tuesday, January 29th.

Wood spent the afternoon working with the orchestra before taking the stage that night.

This concert was not like a traditional orchestra concert. The audience was clapping along and cheering, at the request of Wood.

Wood performed selections from The Beatles, The Police, and several of his own compositions, including a piece titled “Fire ‘n Ice” and a piece compiling several rock and pop songs from the early 20th century to modern time.

The orchestra was not just Mead High’s orchestra, however. Orchestra students from both Coal Ridge Middle School and Mead Middle School joined the high schoolers on stage for the final piece.

Before the final piece was played, a raffle for a Wood Violins Stingray SVX5 signed by Mark Wood himself took place. Levi Strong, a freshman, won the violin, worth “a million dollars” in Wood’s own words.

The final piece to be played was an orchestral arrangement of Coldplay’s Viva La Vida, featuring Mark Wood and students from all three schools.

After the concert Wood stayed behind to sign autographs and take photos with the concert attendees.

This concert was a fundraiser for the orchestra to offset, the “per-student cost for the two trips [the orchestra is] taking in May to play in music festivals,” according to Katarina Schmitt, the orchestra director.

“Well, after expenses,” said Schmitt, “we did not end up coming out ahead, but the experience was so worth it.”