Barton Hills Choir Opens For Dark Star Orchestra In Austin

On Friday night, Dark Star Orchestra brought their 20th anniversary tour to the Austin, Texas for a gig at Stubb’s. Prior to the Grateful Dead tribute act taking the stage the band had a surprise in store as they welcomed The Barton Hills Choir, which features 2nd through 6th graders from the nearby Barton Hills Elementary School, to perform a pair of tunes from the Dead’s repertoire.

Earlier this year the Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart shared a video of the choir performing “Fire On The Mountain” via his Facebook page along with a note that read “It’s videos like this that highlight the importance of music education. Support the arts, encourage creativity, and get your kids involved in music. #DeadToTheCore #StartThemEarly.”

Last night led by Choir Director Gavin Tabone and joined by DSO’s own Robert Koritz, The Barton Hills Choir got a chance to perform a pair of tunes in front of a legion of Deadheads at Stubbs as the group offered up their interpretations of “Beat It On Down The Line,” a tune that was first recorded by Jesse Fuller in 1961, and became a staple in the Dead’s setlists from their early days on, as well as the Hunter-Garcia ballad “Brokedown Palace.”

Additionally, Dark Star Orchestra offered up full recreation of the Grateful Dead’s first appearance at Cameron Indoor Stadium on September 23, 1976 – which took place nearly 41-years to the day of their gig at Stubb’s.

Watch video for of the choir performing “Beat It On Down The Line” and “Brokedown Palace,” and check out the full setlist below:

1976-09-23 Cameron Indoor Stadium – Duke University Durham, NC

Set One: Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo, New Minglewood Blues, Ramble On Rose, Cassidy, Brown Eyed Women, Lazy Lightnin’-> Supplication, Crazy Fingers, El Paso, It The Must’ve Been The Roses, The Music Never Stopped

Set Two: Help On The Way-> Slipknot!-> Franklin’s Tower-> Looks Like Rain-> Eyes Of The World-> Samson And Delilah, High Time, Dancing In The Street-> Wharf Rat-> The Other One-> Morning Dew

Filler: White Rabbit