OCC Symphony Takes On Music from Iconic Video Games

Orange Coast College’s Symphony will present “Computer Games: Unplugged,” featuring music from some of the most popular video games of the past 30 years. The performance is scheduled for Saturday, March 3 at 7:30 p.m. in the Robert B. Moore Theatre.

“Classical music should build bridges to make youth come to a concert hall to experience the wealth of sound of a symphony orchestra,” says conductor Maxim Kuzin. “What could be a better and a more attractive means than to program music that will appeal to youth — video game music?”

Concert-goers will hear scores from iconic game titles, including Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy, Fallout 4, and more. OCC’s Symphony will perform with a large percussion section, drum set, acoustic, electric, and bass guitars, chamber chorus, and soloists, including the OCC professor of voice Anne Walsh, among others.

The Symphony also will collaborate with University of California, Los Angeles' Game Music Ensemble for the performance, with guest conductor Jose Daniel Ruiz joining Kuzin for three pieces of the program. Video clips from the games will be projected onto a screen above the orchestra, adding a visual component to the music.

“Two OCC Symphony student musicians — brothers Joseph and Brendon Farnam — enthusiastically responded to the initiative and compiled 11 videos with gameplay from games to be shown on the big screen simultaneously with the musical performance,” says Kuzin. “The music we will perform will match the same levels or parts in the game that a player experiences while playing the actual game. It will be a lot of fun, we hope!”

Middle school, high school and college students are especially encouraged to attend, and to experience their favorite games in a unique venue.

Tickets for the "Computer Games Unplugged" are available at www.occtickets.com and run $15 for adults, and $10 for students and seniors.