(SPRINGFIELD, NJ) -- On Saturday, March 18, Imagine presents a fundraising concert “John Williams and the Music of the Silver screen”, a celebration of iconic movie music by John Williams and more featuring the New Jersey Festival Orchestra conducted by David Wroe. All proceeds will benefit Imagine, a center for coping with loss.
Five-time Oscar© and 25-time Grammy©-Award winner John Williams has been composing film scores for Hollywood’s blockbusters for more than 50 years and has written some of the most recognizable film scores in history — including Star Wars, Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T., Schindler’s List, and Harry Potter. Come hear some of these powerful cinematic events come to life through the magic of the fully professional live orchestra under the baton of Maestro Wroe. This is a concert for all ages.
“John Williams has shaped the history and sound of film music,” commented Wroe. “We are thrilled that Imagine has invited us to present a selection of his instantly memorable themes and superb orchestrations that have graced some the finest movies of modern times.”
While the concert is anchored in the music of John Williams, the orchestra takes the opportunity to highlight a few other favorites from the symphonic landscape of the silver screen. The program wil also present a few iconic themes from the '40s through the '70s, (Lawrence of Arabia, West Side Story, Dr. Zhivago, 2001: A Space Odyssey, for example) before gliding easily into the modern blockbusters of John Williams. Each minute is more rousing and inspiring than the next.
“John Williams comes from a movie music pedigree reaching back nearly 100 years,” continued Wroe. Great movies would not be great without great music and this concert will make you to relive the passion, heartbreak, heroism and thrilling, chilling experiences from the best of the very best.”
“We are thrilled for this opportunity to partner with NJ Festival Orchestra,” comments Angela Marie Tayco, Development and Communication Manager of Imagine. “Often times when people lose someone in their life, our whole world changes. It can feel like it’s hard to find joy because we do not have the person we love to share it with. Imagine is extending its hand to people coping with grief, saying it’s okay to feel the way you do and you’re allowed to cry and smile at the same time. With this partnership, we are giving families the opportunity to enjoy the music of John Williams with all the while remembering the person who died.”
The concert takes place at 7pm on Saturday, March 18 at the acoustically superior concert hall of the Renaissance Church in Springfield. Tickets ($40-$125) are available on line at www.njfestivalorchestra.org.
Imagine is holding a special pre-performance reception available at the $125 level (limited tickets available), which will feature a NJFO pre-concert conversation led by NJFO’s Yifei Xu, and an opportunity to meet NJFO Maestro David Wroe. For more information call 908-228-3360.
All ticket proceeds will benefit IMAGINE, A Center for Coping with Loss. IMAGINE is a free grief support center for children and families experiencing the loss of a parent or sibling. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Imagine is located in Mountainside, New Jersey.
