THE BEATLES Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover. Used with permission.

By PAM HARBAUGH

Something very cool is about to happen and you need to make plans RIGHT NOW to experience it.

The BREVARD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA joins forces with the rock ‘n roll group, CLASSIC ALBUMS LIVE to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the release of The Beatles “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.”

The concert begins 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 1, at the King Center – the actual 50th anniversary of the album’s release date.

While this marks the BSO’s first collaboration with Classic Albums Live, it is not the first time conductor Christopher Confessore has led a symphony with rock musicians.

“They’re always fun,” he said. “No major challenges in preparing this type of program. The primary issue for the tech crew is making sure the orchestra can be heard.”

Which is not just a funny line from the famously funny Maestro.

Indeed, the orchestra will be amplified. And, in rehearsal, Maestro Confessore will make sure to find the correct balance between electric guitar and acoustic strings — matching length of notes and articulations.

“In faster songs there is a tendency for the orchestra to be slightly behind the rock band, so we’ll look to play on top of the beat and that always fixes it,” he said. “The working relationship between the rock band and conductor is similar to a soloist with orchestra.

“We work together. And when in doubt, we listen to the drum set.”

SIDE O’ GRITS: The Classic Albums Live Presents – The Beatles: 50th Anniversary Sgt. Pepper with the Brevard Symphony Orchestra concert begins 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 1 at the King Center, 3865 N. Wickham Rd., Melbourne. Tickets begin at $43. Call 321-242-2219 or visit KingCenter.com.

This is an edited version of a story running soon in the Melbourne Beachsider.