VALDOSTA – Valdosta Symphony Orchestra wants people to dress up for the movies.
Specifically, VSO representatives want audience members to dress as their favorite film characters while coming to hear the latest orchestra concert, “Casual Classics: Movie Music Mania.”
“We are having a cosplay competition during intermission and we are encouraging the audience – whether or not they will compete – and the orchestra to dress up as their favorite character,” said Howard Hsu, VSO music director and conductor. “Anyone interested in joining the competition can register online at valdostasymphony.org.”
Judges of the costume contest are Chalise Ludlow, chair, Valdosta State University assistant professor and costume designer; Scott James Matheson, Valdosta mayor and radio station owner/broadcaster; Melinda Harbaugh, VSU chief officer to the president; Reatha Pavey, former Valdosta Symphony Guild president; and Danielle Guillot, Valwood upper school faculty member.
Michael Schmidt, dean of VSU College of the Arts, is scheduled to be the competition emcee.
While the costume contest is expected to be fun, the main course will be the Valdosta Symphony playing selections from “movie music, both works composed for film and standard classical works prominently featured in films,” Hsu said.
“I remember seeing a Youtube clip of the opening of ‘Star Wars’ with the music removed and was shocked by how much excitement and drama John Williams’ soundtrack added,” Hsu said. “Williams is a master of composing amazing movie scores that thrill, move or scare us.”
Williams’ movie compositions have won 26 Grammy Awards, five Oscars, seven BAFTA Awards, three Emmy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards. Wiilliams, 91, has been nominated for 54 Academy Awards.
A few of his soundtracks include “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Jaws,” “Star Wars,” “E.T.” and “Schindler’s List,” which won his five Oscars, but also “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” “Jurassic Park,” “Superman,” “Home Alone” and the early “Harry Potter” movies.
Audiences can expect hearing some of these movie soundtracks as well as a few others.
“Remember the thrill of hearing stirring musical scores at the movies? Experience the excitement again, but this time with the VSO live. ‘Star Wars,’ ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark,’ ‘Harry Potter,’ ‘Home Alone,’ ‘Mission Impossible’ and more,” according to a VSO blurb.
Argentine composer Lalo Schifrin composed the famed and familiar “Mission Impossible” theme.
“It’s so inspiring to perform music that I grew up hearing at the movies and I know the audience will feel that same joy experiencing this beloved music live in the concert hall,” Hsu said.
Valdosta Symphony Orchestra presents “Casual Classics: Movie Music Mania,” 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 30, Whitehead Auditorium, VSU Fine Arts Building, corner of Oak and Brookwood. Tickets, more information: Contact valdostasymphony.org or call (229) 333-2150.