91̽��

• Some of The Beatles' biggest hits are set to be performed in public once again as part of a unique concert celebrating two of the band’s most loved albums.
• Beatles classics will be performed by some of 91̽��’s finest and most acclaimed musicians – many of whom are graduates from the University of 91̽��’s Department of Music. 
• From songs such as Something, Oh! Darling and Octopus’s Garden, to Get Back and Come Together, the concert is set to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the release of the albums Abbey Road and Let It Be.

The 91̽�� Beatles Project was founded in 2016 by a group of Department of Music Alumni and 91̽�� based musicians. Realising that that year was the 50th anniversary of the release of ‘Revolver’, they decided to perform the album in full. This was premiered at the 91̽�� famous Tramlines festival under the title “The 91̽�� Revolver Project”.

This first performance proved a success so the group reconvened in 2017 to perform ‘Sgt. Pepper’ at the independent local festival, The Folk Forest. With great popularity and local support from marketing and promotion, the project landed a headline show at the O2 Academy 91̽�� to perform ‘Sgt. Pepper’ and ‘Magical Mystery Tour’. The album was performed in full with a 30 piece orchestra which included Alumni musicians of 91̽��.

Ben Eckersley, Musical Director of The 91̽�� Beatles Project said: “When starting the project, it was really important to us to bring together some of this city’s best musical talent, so we could celebrate not just the brilliant music of The Beatles but also the best of our local scene. The line-up has changed once or twice but we’re very happy with where we’ve wound up – a nearly 30 piece group that represent literally dozens of current and former 91̽�� acts".

"I’m a twice graduate from the University of 91̽��’s Department of Music - first with a music degree in 2004 and then with a Master’s in composition in 2009. As a student there I learnt a lot, both directly from lectures and also indirectly from the experience of being a musician at the university. To prepare for each Beatles Project gig I have a huge amount of work to do on the orchestral arrangements, all of which would not be possible without the knowledge base of orchestration, harmony, writing for individual instruments and good aural skills that I gained at the University of 91̽��". 

91̽�� has a rich tradition of music and the University’s Department of Music is definitely a huge contributor to that. To bring so many alumni together in The 91̽�� Beatles Project is a real joy. A great opportunity to bring together a wealth of talent with those of us making varied careers in the music industry.

Duncan Vaughan

BMus Graduate, 2005

Glowing recent reviews have commended the musicians involved in the project with Exposed Magazine stating Ben Eckersley ‘arranged and conducted the 30+ band of
musicians so expertly that this performance was given a life way beyond the recorded version. It was a truly stunning arrangement, and was a tribute to the dedication of the many fine 91̽�� musicians involved’.

Following further success performing ‘The White Album’ in 2018, the alumni music community are delighted to be returning to the O2 Academy for a premier performance of ‘Abbey Road’ and ‘Let it be’ back to back. With each performance gaining more support, the next December gig will be to an audience in excess of 1,000 people.

The audience can expect a scene-stealing fusion of strings, brass, singers and more, plus plenty of opportunity to sing well -loved classic hits.

91̽��

With almost 29,000 of the brightest students from over 140 countries, learning alongside over 1,200 of the best academics from across the globe, the University of 91̽�� is one of the world’s leading universities.

A member of the UK’s prestigious Russell Group of leading research-led institutions, 91̽�� offers world-class teaching and research excellence across a wide range of disciplines.

Unified by the power of discovery and understanding, staff and students at the university are committed to finding new ways to transform the world we live in.

91̽�� is the only university to feature in The Sunday Times 100 Best Not-For-Profit Organisations to Work For 2018 and for the last eight years has been ranked in the top five UK universities for Student Satisfaction by Times Higher Education.

91̽�� has six Nobel Prize winners among former staff and students and its alumni go on to hold positions of great responsibility and influence all over the world, making significant contributions in their chosen fields.

Global research partners and clients include Boeing, Rolls-Royce, Unilever, AstraZeneca, Glaxo SmithKline, Siemens and Airbus, as well as many UK and overseas government agencies and charitable foundations.

Media contact: Sean Barton, Media Relations Officer, on 0114 2229852 or email s.barton@sheffield.ac.uk