----------------------------------------------------- NOVEMBER 22, 2002 ----------------------------------------------------- Source: BeBop Daddys http://www.bebopdaddys.com/yes/pages/message.htm Chorale with YES in Chicago 11-22-2002 By Steve Kikoen I wish to thank all of the phenomenal YES fans for a night never to be forgotten by 50 teenagers who had the incredible privilege of performing with the group yesterday evening at the Chicago Theatre. I am the Director of the Lincolnwood Chorale, Steven Kikoen. The Chorale is a group of students ages 13 to 18 who are comprised mainly of students from Niles West High School and Lincoln Hall Middle School based in Lincolnwood, Illinois. I wrote an arrangement of NINE VOICES for youth choir. When Jon became aware of it, we were originally going to have a recording session with the kids and Jon at Symbiotic Sound & Software Studios in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Working with YES and their management office, it was suggested that the kids sing with Jon and YES on-stage during their Chicago visit! Symbiotic Sound & Software owner Mitch Goodman believed in the project to such an extent that he donated all services in the recording of our arrangement of NINE VOICES by the students - to be sent to the band. After hearing our arrangement, Jon contacted me and we began working out the details of making NINE VOICES happen in Chicago. During the Chorale's rehearsal with Jon, Steve, Rick, & Alan, there were so many magical, amazing moments! It was as if the students were having a "master class" with YES! Working out the arrangement (tempo, the new intro chord structure) with the kids and the band during sound check rehearsal was an outstanding educational experience for these students, many of whom were major YES fans in their own right (can you imagine a 14 year-old who knows the form and structure of "AWAKEN!"). The rehearsal with YES was a huge highlight for the kids, not to mention the overwhelming gracious and warm response from the audience during the performance! This was a defining moment in the lives of these teenagers -- a moving, spiritual experience that they will treasure always. We wish to thank Jeff, Paul, and Ken from the YES entourage for all of their help -- and especially Jon, Steve, Rick, Alan, and Chris. We also wish to thank Mitch and Amy Goodman of Symbiotic Sound & Software, Debbi and Jerry Brodsky, and Bethany Thrower who assisted greatly in making the project happen! And finally . . . the teenagers of the Lincolnwood Chorale for embracing progessive rock music and everything that YES stands for. In the words of my students: "YES ROCKS!" Close Window YesInThePress.com For site comments, problems, corrections, or additions, contact YesinthePress@aol.com