Jake Miller, a senior majoring in Music Education from Center Moriches, NY, directs the ensemble at a rehearsal. Currently a student teacher, he is a former music and arts director of the Video Game Orchestra and will be a wind band conducting graduate assistant at Appalachian State University this fall.
Symphonic renditions of popular video gaming melodies designed to “transport you to worlds beyond imagination” will be performed by the SUNY Fredonia Video Game Orchestra.
The unique non-curricular ensemble will present its spring concert, “Tales Across Universes,” in Harry A. King Concert Hall on Thursday, April 11, at 8 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public.
Some 60 members strong, the student-led Video Game Orchestra (VGO) is an umbrella ensemble that includes two smaller ensembles – Video Game Jazz Orchestra and the Video Game Orchestra Chorus – that was formed in Fall 2022 semester as a low-stress, non-curricular ensemble. Its musicians, student directors and conductors are music majors as well as non-music majors from virtually all academic areas.
“The Video Game Orchestra is a symphonic orchestra similar to that of the College Symphony Orchestra or Western New York Chamber Orchestra; the only difference is our repertoire!” said Aidan Carney, the VGO music and arts director and principal conductor and a sophomore Music Education major from Lancaster, NY.
Concertgoers are invited to “embark on an epic journey through varied soundscapes at the concert,” Mr. Carney explained, “where symphonic renditions of beloved gaming melodies transport you to worlds beyond imagination. Immerse yourself in the magic of video game music brought to life – a rare spectacle not to be missed, igniting nostalgia and awe in equal measure!”
Musical selections to be performed include: “Pikmin Suite,” from the video game “Pikmin;” “Spectral Sails,” from “Sea of Thieves” and “The Slopes of the Blessure,” from “The Witcher 3.” Additional titles include: “Super Mari Odyssey,” “Stardew Valley,” “Genshin Impact” and “Dark Souls III.”
The Video Game Jazz Orchestra, a big band under the direction of Scott Stout, will open the concert with “Still Alive.” Mr. Stout is the VGO’s executive director and a senior Music Education major from Wantagh, NY. “Scott is our founder and is graduating this year, so we hope to give him a nice send-off,” Carney said.
Solo vocalist Zachary Formhals, a first-year Music Education major with a Vocal Concentration from Mastic Beach, NY, will sing with the jazz orchestra.
Molly Gibson, a junior Music Education major from Verplanck, NY, is the VGO’s assistant director of the orchestra. She will direct two pieces at the concert alongside Carney. Meredith McIntyre, a sophomore Music Education major from Amherst, NY, is the VGO choir director. They have directed the choir and will perform with the choir in the concert.
All students interested in video game music or those looking into getting into video game music are encouraged to attend.
