“We were worried,” Marcus said. “We’re in Ohio and that was going on. We didn’t know if anybody would show up.”
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The audience showed up — even drawing people from two other states — and Black Violin, which combines classical music with hip-hop, rose to the occasion, winning over the audience and prompting a return concert.
“We had our most rocking show of the tour that night, there was great energy and Springfield had a great vibe,” Marcus said.
Black Violin returns with a new take at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Clark State Performing Arts Center.
The concert is presented by the Clark State Performing Arts Center and is appropriate for all audiences.
Following last year’s concert, Clark State Performing Arts Center Executive Director Adele Adkins knew Black Violin would be a must-have for this season.
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“That was the first time I’ve called an agent back immediately to book an act like this. I think our audience was most appreciative about that show,” Adkins said.
Marcus promises something fresh while maintaining the energy of the previous outing, which is why they are calling this their Classical Boom Tour.
“There will be a different theme to the show. We’ll fuse classical and hip-hop more than before, it will be more theatrical,” he said from a studio where the group is recording for its next album.
This concert will include a light show.
Black Violin will also introduce a new song from the upcoming album, which will be released in the first half of 2018. Marcus said they are testing the songs for Midwest audiences on the tour to see how the crowds react.
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They’ll also perform new covers from contemporary hitmakers like Calvin Harris and Ed Sheeran.
An added attraction to the show will be an encore featuring young musicians from the Springfield Symphony Youth Orchestra and Urban Strings, a Columbus-based youth orchestra.
The youngsters also will take in a workshop with Black Violin, watching a soundcheck, doing a question and answer session and learning how to approach their music differently.
When not touring, Black Violin lends its talents to ESPN, doing the music and appearing in a commercial for the U.S. Open Tennis Championships. They will be the house band again at college football’s Heisman Trophy Award selection show in December and will do other work for the network in the future.
Until then, the duo is excited to be coming back to Springfield and changing minds about music’s possibilities.
“We’re music for people who say we love a little bit of everything,” he said. “Whether you’re into Beethoven, Kanye West or Drake, we bring their energy for people ages 5-90. We want people to leave having never thought a violin could do that and not just be entertained but be better.”
WANT TO GO?
What: Black Violin
Where: Clark State Performing Arts Center, Kuss Auditorium, 300 South Fountain Ave., Springfield
When: Saturday, Oct. 14, 8 p.m.
Admission: $25-60 (plus ticket and facility fees)
More info: 937-328-3874 or go to http://pac.clarkstate.edu
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