John Williams penned the themes and soundtracks for many of Hollywood's most famous movies.
The Givens Performing Arts Center and the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra will celebrate the famed composer in a special concert, “The Music of John Williams,” on Friday, October 7, at 8 p.m. at GPAC located on the campus of UNC Pembroke.
From Fiddler on the Roof, Hook, Star Wars, and Jaws, to Close Encounters of The Third Kind, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Harry Potter, John Williams has received 52 Academy Award nominations for musical score, only second to Walt Disney.
Williams, who turned 90 last February, has 25 Grammy and 25 Golden Globe wins, six Emmys, and 16 British Academy Film Awards.
Dr. Tim Altman, a faculty member of the UNCP Music Department for 24 years, will perform principal trumpet during the concert alongside other UNCP faculty. “So many UNC Pembroke music department faculty have been involved with the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra over the years,” he stated.
Other faculty who will perform include Dr. Joseph Van Hassel, UNCP Music Department’s interim chair on percussion and Alex Williams, UNCP’s horn professor will be playing horn.
Dr. Altman says the concert will give UNCP music students a chance to see their professors perform professionally. “We love having our UNCP students see us in action on stage,” he said. “Hearing and seeing a live orchestra play this music gives you a totally different perspective on film music.”
The performance will include iconic melodies from the Star Wars saga, including "Princess Leia's Theme" and the "Imperial March." The setlist also consists of a suite from Harry Potter and E.T. and music from Jaws, Catch Me If You Can, Schindler's List and Raiders of The Lost Ark.
"We presented a version of this concert a few years ago, and it was tremendously well-received," said James Bass, executive director of GPAC. “This concert will be more interactive. Costumed characters from Star Wars will make an appearance.”
The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1956 and is a professional, regional orchestra whose mission is to educate and entertain in the state's southeastern region.
Single tickets are on sale at uncp.edu/gpac or the GPAC Ticket Office at 910.521.6361. Season tickets are also available.
Other season performances at GPAC include a 90s Throwback concert featuring Tone Loc, C&C Music Factory and more on October 28, and Anastasia, the musical, on November 6.
