Robert and Mike Mills of the iconic band R.E.M. took Mills' unique Concerto for Violin, Rock Band, and String Orchestra  on tour in 2016-17, playing to sold-out venues along the East coast.

Program:
John Adams Road Movies
Philip Glass Symphony No. 3
Mike Mills Concerto for Rock Band, Violin and String Orchestra (arr. by David Mallamud)

Featuring:
Mike Mills, bass guitar and keyboard
John Neff, guitar
William Tonks, guitar
Patrick Ferguson, drums/percussion
Elizabeth Pridgen, piano
Christopher Taylor, piano
Fifth House Ensemble

Click the photo for a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the tour!

Press about the Concerto and Tour

"“Melody is Mr. Mills’s strong suit, and he has filled his work with bluesy themes, propulsive figures and ear-catching riffs. ...  Much of the work’s charm is in its virtuosic solo music, to which Mr. McDuffie brings the same energy, verve and warmth of tone that you hear on his recordings of concertos by Samuel Barber, Philip Glass and John Adams. ... The disc is a calling card for the McDuffie Center for Strings, Mr. McDuffie's training institute at the Townsend School of Music at Mercer University in Macon, Ga. Both the Mills and one of the two companion works, Philip Glass's Symphony No. 3 (1995), are given impeccably polished, shapely readings by the MCS Ensemble, led by Ward Stare, the music director of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Between the orchestral works, Mr. McDuffie and the pianist Elizabeth Pridgen collaborate on an alternately humorous and soulful account of John Adams's "Road Movies" (1995).”   - Allan Kozinn, The Wall Street Journal (10/24/2016)

Rolling Stone, "Hear R.E.M. Bassist Mike Mills' Dramatic New Rock-Meets-Classical Piece" and "R.E.M. Bassist on 'Breaking Down Walls Between Classical and Rock'"

Diffuser, "R.E.M.'s Mike Mills to Release First Classical Work, 'Concerto for Violin, Rock Band and String Orchestra' "

Aspen Times, "R.E.M.'s Mike Mills and violinist Robert McDuffie join forces for classical rock concerto"

ClassicalWorld.com, "Mike Mills of R.E.M.'s 'Concerto for Violin, Rock Band and Orchestra' Out This Fall"

Vents magazine, "Mike Mills of R.E.M.'s Concerto for Violin, Rock Band and Orchestra out October 14 on Orange Mountain Music + Fall Tour Dates!"

GPB News Radio, "Mike Mills and Robert McDuffie Discuss New Musical Collaboration"

Wall Street Journal, "R.E.M.’s Mike Mills Blends Classical and Rock on Upcoming Album"

Official press release