Paul McCartney Orchestral Benefit to Feature Steel Magnolia, Sarah Darling

Steel Magnolia and Sarah Darling are the only lucky country artists participating in the Rock for the Heart Foundation's Heart Strings show, which will take place in Pittsburgh this September. The event includes the North American premiere of Sir Paul McCartney's NOVA, the orchestral adaptation composed by the legendary performer for his late wife, Linda. The night of classical music benefits the Rock for the Heart organization, which promotes pediatric cardiac research.

NOVA will be performed by the 60-piece Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, which will also accompany Steel Magnolia on their performance of the McCartney classic "Maybe I'm Amazed." Additionally, Sarah is expected to perform the Beatles' "Blackbird," which the country songstress recorded for the recent Linda McCartney tribute album.

The Heart Strings event will include a string quartet, which will open the show with arrangements of McCartney's pop pieces, as well as piano jazz arrangements performed by conductor Roger Kellaway. In addition, the former Beatles' other classical compositions -- "A Leaf," "Spiral" and "Tuesday" -- will be covered.

"We are so honored Pittsburgh and its magnificent symphony will host and perform NOVA's North American premiere. We are equally excited about the importance of generating awareness about sudden cardiac arrest among children and teenagers," said Rock for the Heart co-founder Kris Fischerkeller. Kris and her husband Paul founded Rock for the Heart in memory of their son Matthew, who died at the age of 16 from cardiac arrest.

Tickets for the event, which takes place Sept. 7 at Pittsburgh's Heinz Hall, go on sale July 16 and start at $25 per person for reserved seating. VIP tickets are also available for $175, and include a post-performance reception with the musical guests, as well as the opportunity to bid on two autographed Hofner Bass guitars used by McCartney during his Beatle days. More information may be found here.

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