“Star Wars” fans should mark their calendars for the Adrian Symphony Orchestra’s concert on Feb. 18, which will feature music from seven of the 11 “Star Wars” movies.
The concert will include a “Star Wars” costume contest, along with photo opportunities with a variety of costumed characters.
Although many of ASO’s concerts feature an array of classical music, multiple performances featuring pop culture and film music are added to their schedule each year. As one of the most popular movie series of all time, “Star Wars” was an easy choice for ASO Musical Director Bruce Kiesling.
“Music of Star Wars is some of the most beloved music from any film,” Kiesling said. “Audiences love this music and the chance to hear it performed live by a symphony orchestra is a rare treat.”
For those who have never attended an orchestra before, there is no need to miss out. Kiesling says this concert will be enjoyable for all viewers, and assures fans they will recognize the music. Not to mention the orchestra is made up of all musicians from Ann Arbor, Detroit and Toledo.
There is one aspect of the concert that will surely make this performance stand out. Music from the “Cantina” featured in the original “Star Wars” film is rarely played live, but will be included in ASO’s setlist.
According to Kiesling, a symphony orchestra concert takes months of planning. The theme for this concert was chosen over a year ago, and musicians were hired not long after that. However, thanks to the talent from their musicians, it took only 2 rehearsals to put the show together.
In the mists of the COVID-19 pandemic there was uncertainty surrounding the public’s willingness to return to large gatherings.
“We just weren’t sure if people would be comfortable returning to the concert hall,” Kielsing said. “We’re so happy that cases have been dropping—and tickets are already selling very well.”
Kiesling has a long list of achievements under his belt, and has conducted at some of the most respected halls in the country. Along with his role in Adrian, he also serves as the Musical Director for the Sequoia Symphony in California, Conductor of the Orchestra and Opera at UC Santa Cruz and Artistic Director and Conductor of the School of Orchestral Studies at the NY Summer School of the Arts.
ASO was founded in 1981 and has been creating a variety of concerts since. From classical to pop concerts, it appears ASO does it all. Professional musicians from all over Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan make up the Orchestra, many of which studied at prestigious music schools. The talent drawn into the orchestra allows thier concerts to reach the caliber of those in big cities.
Tickets are free to all students, staff and faculty of Adrian College and seats can be reserved at https://bit.ly/3JrWqZG. Additional tickets can be purchased on the ASO official website at https://www.adriansymphony.org/cart.html. Tickets must be reserved by Feb.17 at 4pm.
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