Millikan Choir to Sing With Rock Group Yes

About 60 members of the Millikan Middle School choir will perform in front of an anticipated crowd of 15,000 Friday when they sing with the pop group Yes at the Universal Amphitheatre.

Yes, whose most noteworthy hit was “Owner of a Lonely Heart,” will be playing with the Alan Parsons Project beginning at 7:15 p.m.

“I think this is the first time our music department has scored a hit in working with the stars,” said Leo Krubsack, the Millikan choir director. “For a lot of the kids, this is going to be their first concert . . . and they get to be in it.”

The middle school students will perform “No Way We Can Lose,” from Yes’ latest album, “Open Your Eyes.”

“It’s about positive living, about being good to everyone,” Krubsack said. “Their music is usually the happy-to-have-you-on-the-planet kind.”

Millikan choir has been performing Yes tunes for the three years that Krubsack has taught music at the middle school, he said.

After sending the members of Yes a tape of the choir performing “No Way We Can Lose,” Krubsack said lead singer Jon Anderson called to say that he was very impressed.

The two began conversing, and Anderson asked if the choir would like to perform in concert with the band, Krubsack said. “Of course, we said yes.”

Krubsack immediately began calling and assembling the choir members, who are on summer vacation.

“I’m really excited because my parents are big fans and I really know their stuff,” said Juliett Rivas, who just finished the eighth grade. “Once I get onstage, I’ll probably see all the people and get a little nervous, but right now, I’m just really excited.”