Before asking what the University of Maryland’s Gamer Symphony Orchestra is all about, consider the repertoire of Saturday afternoon’s free concert at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. Performances pieces on the program include “Super Mario Galaxy,” “Star Fox,” “Metal Gear Solid Medley” and selections from “Pokemon” and “Kingdom Hearts.”
The GSO is the first college-based ensemble that exclusively performs orchestral arrangements (written by known composers and even the students themselves) of video game music, using that music as a way to bring new and younger audiences to orchestral performances. By the way, this music is galaxies away — forgive the pun — from the blips and bleeps of 25-year-old video games.
| Onstage |
| University of Maryland’s Gamer Symphony Orchestra |
| Where: Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, Dekelboum Concert Hall |
| When: 2 p.m. Saturday |
| Info: Free; 301-405-ARTS (2787); claricesmithcenter.umd.edu |
“When we tell people we play video game music they ask, ‘You got a lot of synthesizers?’ ” said Kira Levitzky, a U.Md. senior and current conductor of the Gamer Symphony Orchestra, which is completely student-run. “We have to deal with that a lot.”
But this orchestra, like most, includes a full compliment of strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion instruments. What began as an ensemble of a handful of members in 2005 has now swelled to a roster of more than 100 musicians and 30-plus chorus members. The GSO is determined to establish video game music as a serious art form. Judging from the packed seats and the growing number of musicians who perform for the sheer love of it (translation: no pay), it’s catching on. More and more devotees come to cheer them on.
Performing spring and fall concerts since 2006, the GSO, founded by a former student violinist, Michelle Eng, has included program repertoire such as “The Legend of Zelda,” “Civilization IV” and “Portal.” In fact, popular composer Jonathan Coulton rounded out the GSO’s 2008 performance of “Still Alive” from the game, “Portal,” calling it a “fantastic cover” in a post on his blog.
For those finding all of this video game business tantamount to a long-lost language, sit back, enjoy the complex musical sounds with an open mind and prepare to be pleasantly surprised.
“I love listening to the music of video games,” Levitzky enthused. “I just didn’t realize until I joined [GSO] how amazing the music can really be.”
