To describe the Trans Siberian Orchestra as anything but exceptional would be nothing short of a great injustice. Founded by Paul O’Neill in 1996, the Trans Siberian Orchestra is perhaps so unique because O’Neill and fellow composers Robert Kinkel and Jon Olivia do not write songs for their musicians; rather, they compose the songs then find the ideal musicians and singers to create the characters and music of their rock operas.

O’Neill was by no means a stranger to the music scene prior to founding the Trans Siberian Orchestra. Rather, he had a long, storied career in the industry to that point, working with management company Leber-Krebs Inc. before establishing himself as one of the top promoters in Japan. As a promoter in Japan, O’Neill hyped both Madonna and Sting and was responsible for creating buzz around Bon Jovi, White Snake, Foreigner, and most of the rock festivals that came to the country.

Following his tour of duty as one of the most popular and successful rock promoters ever to hit Japan, O’Neill began to produce for some of the biggest names in music, including Aerosmith. His passion for writing also grew as he began to write rock operas.

It was this passion that spawned the creation of the Trans Siberian Orchestra in 1996. Unlike most composers who create for musicians, O’Neill, Kinkel, Olivia simply let loose, creating their own rock operas and combining their styles without worrying whether or not their singers and musicians will gel with the storylines. Once the rock opera is written, the trio begins the search for the ideal singers and musicians for each role.

Additionally, the TransSiberian Orchestra welcomes musicians of all ages and races; the trio simply wants the best people for their latest creation.

To date, the Trans Siberian Orchestra has released four albums: “Christmas Eve & Other Stories” (1996), “The Christmas Attic” (1996), “Beethoven’s Last Night” (1998), “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve” (2001), and “The Lost Christmas Eve” (2004).

Perhaps the reason TransSiberian Orchestra concert tickets are in such hot demand is the simple fact that O’Neill, Kinkel, and Olivia do not strive to create only good music; rather, they are also creating a living art that both touches listeners and stays with them long after the curtain has fallen.