El Verano's El Sistema Orchestra to Follow Doobie Brothers at BR Cohn Fall Music Fest

When the four-day B.R. Cohn Charity Events Fall Music Festival kicks off Sept. 20, some of the biggest names in classic rock will take the stage at the 27th edition of the annual event.

They will be joined by some of the biggest names at El Verano Elementary School, as the El Sistema-inspired school band Valley Vibes Orchestra is set to perform after the legendary Doobie Brothers on Sept. 21 and 22, according to the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation.

In addition to the Doobie Brothers and the Valley Vibes Orchestra, the festival will feature performances from Heart, Bad Company with Paul Rodgers, Gin Blossoms and Pablo Cruise.

Each of the Valley Vibes Orchestra sets will kick off a live auction to benefit the foundation, which is one of the beneficiaries of this year’s music festival.

Just six months ago, most of the children in the orchestra had never held a string instrument or heard a live orchestra play, according to foundation officials. In recent months, the orchestra has performed classical arrangements and fiddle tunes at school events, Sonoma Valley Education Foundation’s Salute to Education, the 4th of July celebration at the plaza amphitheater and the sold-out 2013 Red & White Ball.

For more info on the BR Cohn Fall Music Festival, visit the festival website.