Older video games evoke nostalgia while newer titles are lauded for gameplay and graphics, but something they often have in common is music taking things to another level.
Moraine Valley Orchestra closes its 2021-22 season with Games & Gaming: Music in Play on April 10 at Moraine Valley Community College’s Fine & Performing Arts Center’s Dorothy Menker Theater in Palos Hills.
“Bringing this idea of a thematic concert to Moraine is something new and exciting,” said Maryann Flock, who has been orchestra director of Moraine Valley Orchestra since 2019.
“Classical music evolves and changes. The gaming industry has taken a hold of these younger classical composers and technology has advanced the interplay with video games so the music itself has become more complex and very interesting.
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“We as an orchestra like the selections we’re doing at the concert even though it’s very different than your standard Johann Sebastian Bach or Ludwig van Beethoven.”
Games & Gaming: Music in Play includes “Theme from ‘Advent Rising’ (‘Bounty Hunter’)” by Tommy Tallarico, Michael Plowman, Emmanuel Fratianni and Laurie Robinson, and “Irish Tune from County Derry,” which is based on the folk song “O Danny Boy,” from “Folklore.”
Composer Koji Kondo’s music for “The Legend of Zelda” and “Super Mario Bros.” is also part of the program, with the latter game’s music arranged by Alan Silverstri, whose compositions include scores for “The Avengers” and “Back to the Future” film series and the movie “Forrest Gump.”
“Everybody loves ‘Super Mario Bros.’ It’s catchy and it’s also complicated so I like that selection, but I also like some of the lesser-known game music such as ‘Bounty Hunter.’ It’s a nice musical selection. The music speaks for itself and I enjoy it,” said Flock of Woodridge.
“Very similar to a traditional classical music concert, we’re doing a couple of suites, which is a collection of themes or sometimes it’s levels or rooms for a certain game. For example, we’re playing a suite from ‘Pokémon’ and it’s the ‘Pokémon Mystery Dungeon’ music.
“There are different movements of that music that are very similar to traditional classical music.”
“Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Symphonic Suite” is by Arata Iiyoshi, Hideki Sakamoto, Keisuke Ito, Yasuhiro Kawagoe and Noriko Murakami.
Other pieces in Games & Gaming: Music in Play include the Russian/Ukranian folk song “Korobushka,” which is also known as “Korobeiniki” and the “Tetris” theme, and score by Russell Brower, Derek Duke and Jason Hayes for the Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game “World of Warcraft.”
Because Moraine Valley Community College is under restrictions for the COVID-19 pandemic, the typically 40-member Moraine Valley Orchestra only features 16 musicians for Games & Gaming: Music in Play.
“Normally it’s half students. With the pandemic, it’s actually less students sadly,” said Flock about the makeup of Moraine Valley Orchestra.
“The music program is a difficult balance for these young people to participate in. Rehearsals meet in the evening. Students have taken jobs to help their families or work at night because they’re going in person or online to Moraine during the day.
“We’re still thriving. The community members that were stuck at home are coming in the evening if they’re available. They need an outlet and some of the poor students have lost that outlet. I look forward to getting back to a balance that would make our next gaming concert a little easier.”
Bedford Park, Chicago, Crest Hill, Crestwood, Merrionette Park, Oak Lawn, Orland Park, Palos Hills and Palos Park residents ranging from college age to working adults are among the current mix of musicians, which includes students, Moraine Valley professors and community members.
“I love orchestra music. I love working with musicians,” said Flock, an adjunct music faculty member at Moraine Valley Community College.
“It’s unique each semester with the individuals that are there. It’s always wonderful to bring out new colors depending on the musicians that join us. My life is much fuller with it. If I wasn’t able to direct the orchestra at Moraine I certainly would be doing it somewhere else.
“Orchestra is a vital part of my career and my life.”
Flock is also founding director of New Horizons Band DuPage, which performs at Naperville Community Concert Center and is the DuPage County and Chicago West Suburban chapter of New Horizons International Music Association.
Games & Gaming: Music in Play
When: 3 p.m. April 10
Where: Moraine Valley Community College’s Fine & Performing Arts Center’s Dorothy Menker Theater, 9000 W. College Parkway, Building F, Palos Hills
Tickets: free
Information: 708-974-5500; morainevalley.edu/fpac/academic-music
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Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.