Media Release - FSSO’s Epic Gamical Concert A First of Its Kind Production of Gaming Music Celebrates the Diversity of Orchestral Music
Conductor: Alexander Fokkens
Soloist: Caleb Vaughn-Jones
Choir: IMBA!
Date: 8 September 2018
Time: 19:30
Place: Kopanong Auditorium, UFS
In a first of its kind for the Free State, music lovers can look forward to a completely unique and immersive concert experience featuring theme music from some of the world’s most popular video games, and performed live by the Free State Symphony Orchestra (FSSO).
The FSSO’s Epic Gamical Concert will feature music from games like Call of Duty, Legend of Zelda, Super Mario Brothers, Civilization, amongst others, as well as theme music from Game of Thrones.
The orchestra will be joined by renowned American cellist, Caleb Vaughn-Jones, who has performed throughout North America, Asia, the West Indies and southern Africa as a soloist and chamber musician. In addition to traditional concert music, Caleb is passionate about bringing lesser known music to orchestral audiences. He has collaborated with actors on-stage and in film, and through his own music production company, produces sound recordings for international video gaming companies.
As part of the FSSO’s commitment to creating opportunities for professional development for the region’s local talent, the predominantly student choir IMBA! will also be performing in the concert. The production is hosted in conjunction with the Kovsie Gaming League, a University of the Free State based initiative, and will see members of the League playing live video games while the orchestra performs.
Alexander Fokkens, CEO of the FSSO and conductor for the Epic Gamical Concert, says that even though the genre of gaming music is in its infancy, the growth in popularity of gaming in South Africa will see increasing awareness for the ‘art’ of video game music. He believes that events like these could eventually come to be regarded as the pops concerts of the future for a new generation of orchestral music appreciators.
“This is going to be a truly unique experience,” says Fokkens. “It will create a musical discovery opportunity for Free State gamers, students and scholars who will be exposed to the magnitude of the spectrum of possibilities when it comes to orchestral sound. Yet, it will also show lovers of more traditional classical pieces the wonderful diversity of orchestral music.
So we are also encouraging lovers of classical music with children to bring their kids along – it’s an ideal way to introduce the youth to orchestral music within a genre that has high appeal for them. The soundscape of this gaming music production is going
to be of the highest quality – something that can only be achieved with the full capabilities of a symphony orchestra.”
As soloist for the evening, and having recorded music for gaming companies, Vaughn-Jones explains that it is not often that video game scores are performed live by a full symphony orchestra: “I’m really excited to be part of this initiative and I commend the Free State Symphony Orchestra for pioneering concerts like these. This event will also be the world premiere performances of the main themes from Call of Duty: World War II, Civilization V and Civilization: Beyond Earth - music from the best-rated video games which millions of people across the globe know and love.”
The FSSO Epic Gamical Concert starts at 19:30 on Saturday 8 September 2018 at the University of the Free State’s Kopanong Auditorium (previously known as Kovsie Kerk). Tickets cost R80 and can be bought at any Computicket outlet or online at www.online.computicket.com
For more information about the concert, contact Ella Kotze at the FSSO on 051 401 2342, or visit the FSSO’s Facebook page (@ Free State Symphony Orchestra) for regular updates.
Soloist: Caleb Vaughn-Jones
Choir: IMBA!
Date: 8 September 2018
Time: 19:30
Place: Kopanong Auditorium, UFS
In a first of its kind for the Free State, music lovers can look forward to a completely unique and immersive concert experience featuring theme music from some of the world’s most popular video games, and performed live by the Free State Symphony Orchestra (FSSO).
The FSSO’s Epic Gamical Concert will feature music from games like Call of Duty, Legend of Zelda, Super Mario Brothers, Civilization, amongst others, as well as theme music from Game of Thrones.
The orchestra will be joined by renowned American cellist, Caleb Vaughn-Jones, who has performed throughout North America, Asia, the West Indies and southern Africa as a soloist and chamber musician. In addition to traditional concert music, Caleb is passionate about bringing lesser known music to orchestral audiences. He has collaborated with actors on-stage and in film, and through his own music production company, produces sound recordings for international video gaming companies.
As part of the FSSO’s commitment to creating opportunities for professional development for the region’s local talent, the predominantly student choir IMBA! will also be performing in the concert. The production is hosted in conjunction with the Kovsie Gaming League, a University of the Free State based initiative, and will see members of the League playing live video games while the orchestra performs.
Alexander Fokkens, CEO of the FSSO and conductor for the Epic Gamical Concert, says that even though the genre of gaming music is in its infancy, the growth in popularity of gaming in South Africa will see increasing awareness for the ‘art’ of video game music. He believes that events like these could eventually come to be regarded as the pops concerts of the future for a new generation of orchestral music appreciators.
“This is going to be a truly unique experience,” says Fokkens. “It will create a musical discovery opportunity for Free State gamers, students and scholars who will be exposed to the magnitude of the spectrum of possibilities when it comes to orchestral sound. Yet, it will also show lovers of more traditional classical pieces the wonderful diversity of orchestral music.
So we are also encouraging lovers of classical music with children to bring their kids along – it’s an ideal way to introduce the youth to orchestral music within a genre that has high appeal for them. The soundscape of this gaming music production is going
to be of the highest quality – something that can only be achieved with the full capabilities of a symphony orchestra.”
As soloist for the evening, and having recorded music for gaming companies, Vaughn-Jones explains that it is not often that video game scores are performed live by a full symphony orchestra: “I’m really excited to be part of this initiative and I commend the Free State Symphony Orchestra for pioneering concerts like these. This event will also be the world premiere performances of the main themes from Call of Duty: World War II, Civilization V and Civilization: Beyond Earth - music from the best-rated video games which millions of people across the globe know and love.”
The FSSO Epic Gamical Concert starts at 19:30 on Saturday 8 September 2018 at the University of the Free State’s Kopanong Auditorium (previously known as Kovsie Kerk). Tickets cost R80 and can be bought at any Computicket outlet or online at www.online.computicket.com
For more information about the concert, contact Ella Kotze at the FSSO on 051 401 2342, or visit the FSSO’s Facebook page (@ Free State Symphony Orchestra) for regular updates.
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