Music Matters "LIVE" Paramount Theatre Seattle Washington, May 12, 2012

Concert to Feature Rare Scores Donated on Behalf of Sir Elton John -

SEATTLE, WA, October- Synergia Northwest announces its 2012 event Music Matters "LIVE" scheduled for May 12, 2012 at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, Washington, to benefit school music programs. The concert will feature the Synergia Northwest Orchestra conducted by internationally recognized Dr. Nikolas Caoile, Director of Orchestras at Central Washington University alongside some of the Pacific Northwest's most high profile rock and pop recording artists and student musicians. Past performers have included Grammy award-winning Alan White (drummer for the band 'Yes' and John Lennon's landmark album Imagine), Tracy Bonham, Queensryche, 2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominee guitarist Howard Leese and Blues Traveler's John Popper and Brendan Hill, among many others. The caliber of these artists, all with Washington State ties, along with a world-class conductor and orchestra has promised an evening of unforgettable musical moments that have left audiences knowing they've just experienced a magical event.

Synergia Northwest's Music Matters "Live" concert will again include a special musical selection that highlights a great classic rock recording with a notable orchestra component, and in 2012 will honor one of Elton John's truly great albums, "Madman Across the Water". The opportunity to have this special performance within the concert came in part with the guidance of composer/arranger Paul Buckmaster, best known for his orchestral collaborations with Elton John, Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Train and Taylor Swift among many others. Buckmaster orchestrated "Madman Across the Water". Rocket Music Management on behalf of Sir Elton John has donated the original Buckmaster score re-orchestrated for larger ensemble by the film composer James Newton Howard (Prince of Tides, The Dark Knight). Howard and Brad Dechter set the scores for full orchestra and choir, most notably used during Elton John's "Live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra" concert. Music Matters "LIVE" through the Synergia Northwest Orchestra and special musical guests will hold the honor of performing these rare scores from that renowned event. Last year, the 50 piece Synergia Northwest Orchestra along with guest musicians performed music from the Beatles' Abbey Road.
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Music Matters "LIVE" marks the third annual benefit for Washington State Youth Music Education. Synergia Northwest has been instrumental in helping bring the self-perpetuating "Music Matters" license plate fundraising proposal to fruition by raising the capital and awareness needed to create a music-themed license plate that helps support school music programs through sales of the new license plate.

"Through the efforts of Music Aid Northwest, Synergia Northwest and others, the plates will now be available January 2012 through the Washington State Department of licensing. It's time to spread the word and let music supporters across the state know that these beautiful plates are available. You can now help music funding right here in Washington and show your support by purchasing one or two!" said Music Matters "LIVE" producer and Musical Director Michael McMorrow. "There are very few cities with this level of production, orchestra musicians, major recording artists and boots on the ground talent that could achieve what we are doing here in Seattle. I am so very proud of this. We are protecting our rich musical heritage and passing it to future generations."

Synergia Northwest, a first of its kind event conceived and led by Seattle musician and producer McMorrow, blends classical, contemporary, professional and student musicians into one concert, unifying cultures, ages and musical genres. It raises funds to provide extended learning, enrichment and performance opportunities to Northwest area students who would not otherwise have the necessary financial resources. Other non-profit agencies, in addition to "Music Matters" license plates, benefiting from Music Matters "LIVE" will soon be announced.

The first Synergia Northwest concert was launched in 2010 at Tacoma's historic Temple Ballroom in the Landmark Convention Center. In 2011 it made its Seattle debut at The Moore Theater. In acknowledgement of the area's deep cultural and musical heritage, a special tribute to the groundbreaking music of the late artist and Northwest Native American Beaver Chief by his children and brother highlighted the 2010 event and 2011 featured the unique pairing of KOKON Taiko with the Seattle Seahawk's Blue Thunder Drum Line and acclaimed drummer and Synergia Northwest key supporter Alan White.

Music Matters "LIVE" 2012 initial performers and pre-sale ticket information will be announced in November. For more information on Music Matters "LIVE" and the Music Matters License plate fundraising campaign visit http://www.synergianorthwest.com/.

This year's production team includes: Dr. Bret P. Smith/Central Washington University - Synergia NW Orchestra; Philip Petersen/Orchestrator/Arranger; Beth Chandler (Yakima Symphony) Orchestrator/Arranger; Mark Naficy/NAF Productions, Inc. Production; Amy Elyse/Production (H.O.R.D.E., Live Nation, House of Blues) Production and Logistics Coordinator; Brenna Davenport-Leigh, Hellbender Media Event Publicity; Emmy award-winning broadcast news journalist Carolyn Douglas; Website Development-Bob Minkin/Minkin Design & Marketing; Production Intern Alexandra Laing; and Non-Profit coordinator Maya Mowalis.