Fishermen on stage sing "Carry That Weight" during the Abbey Road Live YOSA special performance.
Credit: Scott Ball / San Antonio Report
Dressed in floral prints and Aerosmith scarves and all denim, giddy musicians feign composed as they prepare for the stage entrance-the velvet ropes open and 1,700 adoring fans cheer on their friends and families. Youth Orchestras of San Antonio decorates the stage in symphonic majesty as leaders of the budding and blossoming San Antonio share their soul and testify to The Beatles’ “Abbey Road” at the Tobin Center for Performing Arts.
Raucous high fives and applause sends the stage hands to quiet down the enthusiasm of the bands, congratulating fisherman for their epic rendition of “I Want You (She’s so Heavy),” an arrangement magically suited for the powerhouse cellos and amplification of the band. Everyone supports everyone else, there is nothing but good vibrations and love spreading, as John, Paul, George, and Ringo would’ve had it. And just as SA would have it.
Upon the stage the musicians seem to feel magically at home, not at all bewildered by the auspiciois occasion, boldly strutting and stretching the limits of their stratospheric talent. Electricity could literally be tapped from the powerful camaraderie on stage, a renewable source of energy in the Alamo City. Available every night across this soul-exposed city, ready for you to consume. Go on, get ya some.
For the record, here’s a list of bands that played Monday night, in no particular order:
Buttercup guitarist Joe Reyes jokes with Raul Alvarez from We Leave at Midnight. Photo by Scott Ball.
YOSA members congregate backstage moments before their performance. Photo by Scott Ball.
Darian Thomas, a member of YOSA and Femina-X practices his instrument. Photo by Scott Ball.
YOSA Operation Consultant Jackson Hocott jogs back to his post on stage right. Photo by Scott Ball.
Deer Vibes performs “Come Together.”
Performers stare up at a screen broadcasting the performance. Photo by Scott Ball.
Femina-X performs “Hey Jude.’ Photo by Scott Ball.
An audience member smiles during a performance as light passes over her face. Photo by Scott Ball.
YOSA Music Director Troy Peters conducts his orchestra while Odie from Buttercup performs. Photo by Scott Ball.
Alyson Alonzo sings “Oh! Darling” during the Abbey Road Live YOSA special performance.
Following Alyson Alonzo’s performance her parents Claudia and Alfred DeLeon cheer for her. Photo by Scott Ball.
A Cappella group The Marcsmen sing “Because.” Photo by Scott Ball.
A child runs down the hallway to return to his seat. Photo by Scott Ball.
Fishermen on stage sing “Carry That Weight” during the Abbey Road Live YOSA special performance.
Omar Rosel of fishermen kisses fellow bandmate Gabe Medina following their performance. Photo by Scott Ball.
Erik Sanden and Joe Reyes of Buttercup embrace following the performance of Abbey Road Live. Photo by Scott Ball.
A YOSA trombonist takes a selfie following his performance. Photo by Scott Ball.
Darian Thomas embraces a friend following his performance. Photo by Scott Ball.
YOSA Music Director Troy Peters looks up after his orchestra finishes their performance of Abbey Road Live at the Tobin Center in March 2016. Photo by Scott Ball.
Adam Tutor is a Trinity University graduate, a saxophonist who performs with local bands Soulzzafying, Odie & the Digs, and Volcan, and a freelance music contributor to the Rivard Report.
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