Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Saturday, December 11

Celebrating The Season With Trans-Siberian Orchestra

“Growing up in (New York) City, on Christmas Eve it’s snowing out and these two cabs slide into each other. Me and my friends are thinking this is going to be bloody. Any other day, this would have been World War III. But instead they look at each other and one says, ‘I’m so sorry’ and they’re shaking hands, looking at pictures of each other’s kids. This is the only night of the year when that would happen. As you get older, that individual level has a grander scope. World War I, everyone would stop fighting on Christmas Eve… WWII, Korea, Vietnam.” -Paul O’Neill

The Christmas spirit has always been wholly fascinating and inspiring for Trans-Siberian Orchestra composer and producer Paul O’Neill. For O’Neill, Christmas is magical, and over a decade ago he decided he knew how to bring that magic to the world as art.

In 1995, with the collaboration of several world class musicians, the idea began to come alive in a unique blend of classical concerto, narrative drama, and hard rock that has since become a holiday tradition: the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. TSO’s annual holiday tour stops in Austin on December 11 presenting “Christmas Eve and Other Stories.”

The first part of the two and a half hour show features classics like “Carol of the Bells” and “Boughs of Holly” accompanying TSO’s Christmas narrative; in the second half, the orchestra breaks into variations on classical suites, rock covers, and more original material. With twenty-one people on one stage—an eight-piece string section, a traditional rock ensemble with two keyboardists, six singers, and a narrator—as well as light, fog, and stage magic galore, TSO’s “Christmas Eve and Other Stories” promises to be another distinguished, spirit-filled, cross-cultural experience for all audiences.

This year marks TSO’s sixth holiday tour, five of which employed two separate touring companies for the eastern and western United States. But ever since TSO first toured in 1999, families across the country have made the Orchestra a yearly Christmas tradition right along with family reunion, fruitcake, and an evergreen tree. The show isn’t just for families though, insists TSO composer and co-producer Bob Kinkel, rather, fans in attendance are “eight to eighty, and you have your heavy metal rockers sitting next to a person in a suit and tie who normally goes to see a classical concert subscription. Everyone is sitting next to each other having a great time.”

Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s new record (the final installment of the Christmas Trilogy) The Lost Christmas Eve went on sale October 12, and they perform at the Erwin Center on December 11 at 8:00pm.

Tickets for Trans-Siberian Orchestra at The Theatre at the Frank Erwin Center Saturday, December 11 at 8PM are $36, $41 and $51 and are ON SALE NOW at all Texas Box Office Outlets (includes H-E-B stores in Austin, Bastrop, Bee Caves, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Pflugerville, Round Rock, and San Marcos; Ft. Hood Bldg. #136 and Renaissance Records in Killeen), charge-by-phone at 512/477-6060 or 1-800-982-2386 or order on-line at TexasBoxOffice.com. Convenience charges may apply. All information subject to change. The Frank Erwin Center is a smoke-free facility. Convenient parking is available within walking distance in nearby state and University lots. For more information, call 512/471-7744. uterwincenter.com.

Celebrate the Season at the Pre-Show Dinner!

Before the Trans-Siberian Orchestra sets your spirits soaring with their dazzling performance on Saturday, December 11, come and celebrate the season with us at our special VIP “Holiday” Pre-Show Dinner in the Lone Star Room at the Frank Erwin Center.

Bring your family, friends, and colleagues out for an evening sure to leave you in total orchestral bliss! Doors will open at 6PM and you will enjoy a delicious dinner with all the trimmings followed by an 8PM concert by some of the most captivating musicians of today. A cash bar will be available and there will be no waiting in line for tickets or parking because we will provide you with preferred parking and your tickets are mailed in advance.

Make your reservations by contacting our Group Sales department at 512/471-7744. VIP Packages for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra are $78 and $68 and include a concert ticket, dinner ticket, parking in University of Texas Trinity parking garage (subject to space availability) and entrance through Red River doors.

MENU

Caesar Salad

Peppercorn Crusted Sirloin
with Port Demi Glace

Parmesan Chicken With
Tomato Basil Sauce

Sauteed Baby Spinach
and Mushrooms

Wild Rice

Rolls and Butter

Carrot Cake

Iced Tea and Coffee

Orders are filled on a first come, first serve basis. Concert seats will be assigned when payment is received. ALL ORDERS MUST BE PAID IN FULL WHEN RESERVATIONS ARE MADE. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and checks made payable to the University of Texas are acceptable methods of payment. Seating availability will be limited. There will be NO appearance by Trans-Siberian Orchestra during the dinner.

Register To Win Two (2) tickets to Trans-Siberian Orchestra

To register, e-mail your first and last name, area code and phone number, and e-mail address to: wintsotix@erwin.utexas.edu.

• Entry Deadline is Monday, November 29, 2004.
• One randomly chosen winner will be selected from all received entries and notified via e-mail by Friday, December 3, 2004.
• No purchase necessary.
• No employees or family members of sponsors, media partners, Texas Athletics, or the Frank Erwin Center are eligible to win.
• Prize is non-transferable, and may not be substituted for any other Frank Erwin Center event.
• All prizes will be awarded. One entry per person.
• Odds of winning are determined solely by the number of entries received.
• Winner will allow Frank Erwin Center to use their name, face or likeness for promotional purposes.
• Must be at least 18 years old to enter.

One winner will receive two (2) tickets to Trans-Siberian Orchestra coming to the Frank Erwin Center, Saturday, December 11.