Hamilton orchestra students will cross over to pop music Saturday as they provide musical support for the Newbees in “A Night with The Beatles” at Garfield Middle School.

“I’m always looking for opportunities where the kids can play a different style of music,” said Orchestra Director James Ledbetter. “Even in fusion groups like Live Wire, the majority of our students play classical music all the time.”

But that doesn’t mean it’s any easier.

“With the Beatles, even a song in a simple key will have accidental notes all over the place,” he said. “It pushes them to be better on their instruments.”

Concerts like this, and recent concerts with Mark Wood and the band Barrage in previous years, also gives students a chance to interact with professional musicians, Ledbetter said.

The Newbees have put together three different Beatle shows and have done educational programs in two other high schools.

Students from Hamilton’s middle schools, freshman school and high school orchestras will participate in the concert, including some songs without the Newbees, such as a string orchestra arrangement of “Eleanor Rigby.”