Did you hear that?

Tomorrow night I'm attending the Music at Star Wars with the Phoenix Symphony. Very excited. Truly. I've gotta make a special trip to the dry cleaners today and get that not oft' worn black sports coat all sorted, too. Must dress the part. Must.

And by part, I mean dress for a symphony, not break out the stormtrooper helmet on display and wear that. Tempted... No, not really.

I've actually seen photos and video of the string sections using a lightsaber bow which would be cool for one song but I fear distracting for the rest of them.

It's always interesting to see the attendees to such things as this. Usually you'll only find appreciators of symphony and orchestral music very prim and proper and, well, old. So, since I'm old, I may as well be prim, too. At least for a night. In hindsight, I should have asked a friend to accompany me, since she plays cello in the Chandler Symphony and occasionally fills in with the Phoenix Symphony. Get the insider scoop, which might have been fun. I think I was at the time I bought my ticket in a me, myself and I frame of mind, and Star Wars is a thing, and great music is a thing... so I'm all good with going Han Solo for this one.

Unsure what pieces and films they will select from but I really do have my favorites. I remember listening to the vinyl of Star Wars (still have it) when I was in 6th grade. Since I wasn't allowed to see movies when I was growing up (crazy Nazarene thing, right up there with losing salvation... but that's another blog for sure) I enveloped myself fin as much Star Wars things I could outside of the film itself. Read the book many times, read Splinter of the Mind's Eye, comics, Starlog magazine, posters, toys, and of course the music itself. Riveting.

Some of my favorites:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtkuZbcZORE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qEtn4dw7y8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfjvIDi-wl0


Joel McNeeley's score for the Shadows of the Empire book. Yes, there's music scored for a book. True. It's a pretty good book, too. And the music is in some parts epic. Very John Williams in the 80's style. Doubtful they will find themselves playing from it, but who knows. Some bites:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_deMfDs9jY&index=10&list=PL000B1B12BE123A36

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vuXdSLirnM&list=PL000B1B12BE123A36&index=2
(catch this one at the 5 minute mark for sure...)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekEUCI_9L2A&index=3&list=PL000B1B12BE123A36


I would expect some sort of acknowledgment to the passing of Carrie Fisher, so hoping the Princess theme makes in the mix. It's a great one.

I'm really not entirely sure what the evening will be. While I've heard of other John Williams Symphony evenings, this one is billed as Star Wars, so while I enjoy much of JW's scoring I do hope this one is strictly Star Wars. I've been in that frame of mind for a few weeks now.

I saw a John Williams Symphony in Chicago years ago, and the conductor was escorted to the podium by storm troopers. Epic. So I may have a sighting or two of some coplayers around, which will be fun to see. Still, who knows.

I usually spend much of a symphony evening listening and just closing my eyes, and my uber-cheap balcony tickets on the aisle likely won't reveal the best view anyway. Besides, your eyes can deceive you.

Don't trust them.