A Message from the Director

Welcome back to another season of the Silver Hall Concert Series. As you’ve noticed, you are reading this on your mobile device instead of a printed program. That’s because technology has advanced so it’s easier, more efficient, and environmentally friendly to reach you this way. These same adjectives can be applied to the Maltz Center and the Silver Hall Concert Series. 

The Maltz Center is now easier than ever to access with the completion of the Opportunity Corridor, the new gateway to University Circle! Our series of free concerts and free parking make it as simple and efficient as possible to come and enjoy the variety of music we host. As for environmentally friendly, the restoration of The Temple-Tifereth Israel to this world class concert hall has sparked a construction boom in University Circle bringing more and more people to a neighborhood already filled with art, music and culture. 

The Silver Hall Concert Series will continue for years to come because Cleveland is a treasure chest of musical talent. Musicians from around the world settle here because of your welcoming embrace of their work. Cleveland also fosters its own homegrown talent with community orchestras and ensembles that organize for the love of music and playing an instrument. We are a community that wants to cultivate talent; applaud and support artistic endeavors; and enjoy musical performances side-by-side with each other. 

As you enjoy this performance, I ask you to think about two things: One, how lucky we are to be here, enjoying this performance at the Maltz Center; and Two, who can I bring with me to the next event? 

 

Creative Team

Video Game Symphony

Video Game Symphony - Orchestra Personnel

Violin I
Safe Jassani *
Concertmaster
Jocelyn Taylor
Rachel Ploenzke
Gian Steele
Greg Smith
Miles Huang
Dongsub Jeoung
Ashley Zendarski
Michelle Bushkova

Violin II
Cameron Chan *
MeKaila Pearl Holly
Rachael Sullivan
Z Cooper
Emily Salmon
Bella Montemore
Avery Stager
Sarah Behal
Devon Caskey

Viola
Luke Wardell *
Cheyenne Cogan
Izzey Donovan
Chris Gokelman
Gordan Liu
Annabelle Spoto
Jay Lipsutz

Cello
Jessica Jonczyk *
Emma Pagsuyoin
Xenia Beckstrom
Scarlett Wilhelm
Michelle Chan
Olivia Polash

Bass
Devin Zerjav *
Jaren Jenyk
Perry Kral
Dan Paterson
Chris Glavac

Flute
Elizabeth Studer *
Laurel Wardell
Tamaira Jaszczak

Piccolo
Laurel Wardell
Elizabeth Studer

Alto Flute
Elizabeth Studer

Oboe
Meredith Bradley *
Zach Walker

English Horn
Meredith Bradley
Zach Walker

Clarinet
Robert Davis *
Andrew Perkins

Bass Clarinet
Andrew Perkins

Bassoon
Declan Messner *
Ari Di Biase

Contrabassoon
Ari Di Biase

Horn
Nicholas Sohutskay *
Sarah Basler +
Tayvis Mayfield
Dan Tomazin
Jacob Bodnar

Trumpet
Michael Skotko *
Jim Johnson +
Stephen Bonhag
Maryann Veyon

Trombone
Brendan Loeb *
Lauren Stitle

Bass Trombone
Nick Matheos *

Tuba
Andrew Weiss *

Timpani
Nicholas Strawn *

Percussion
Evan Aronhalt *
Michael Fagan III
JJ Johnson

Guitar
Adam Satorius *

Harp
Jaclyn Kurtz *

Piano
Sarah Mellinger *
Tracy Qian

* denotes principal
+ denotes assistant

Video Game Symphony - Choir Personnel

Soprano
Savanna Butcher
Annabel Faircloth
Ashley Hafler
Emily Ludwig
Kathy Sees
Jenna Stolarik

Alto
Amanda Fargo
Susan Fletcher ^
Mackenzie Henry
Jaclyn Kurtz ^
Lindsey Miller
Abigail Nordan
Nyssa Silvester

Tenor
Ezra Eli
Michael Lada
Bryan Munch ^
Gene Willet

Bass
Austin Angus
Ian Crane
Jake Dufresne
Colin Myers
Zack Richards
Jacob Schrack
Colin Wachholz

^ denotes soloist

Program

The Legend of Zelda: Overture

Koji Kondo, arr. Keller/Seiter

Final Fantasy VII: Main Theme

Nobuo Uematsu, arr. Keller

Super Mario Bros.: Super Star Suite

K. Kondo, arr. Keller/Raine

Tracy Qian, Piano

Kingdom Hearts: Simple and Clean (Orchestral Version)

Hikaru Utada

Halo Trilogy: Suite

Martin O'Donnell/Michael Salvatori

Susan Fletcher, Soprano

Final Fantasy X: To Zanarkand

N. Uematsu, arr. Keller

Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty - Main Theme

Russell Brower

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves - Suite

Greg Edmonson

Pokémon: Suite

Junichi Masuda, arr. Keller/Grey

~ Intermission ~
 

Super Smash Bros. Brawl: Main Theme

N. Uematsu, arr. Intravia/Keller

Susan Fletcher, Soprano
Bryan Munch, Tenor

Skyrim: The Dragonborn Comes

Jeremy Soule, arr. Keller/Hedlund

Susan Fletcher, Soprano

Super Mario Galaxy: Unidentified Flying Plumber Suite

K. Kondo/Mahito Yokota, arr. Keller

The Legend of Zelda: Gerudo Valley

J. Kondo, arr. Keller/Seiter

Final Fantasy X: Suteki Da Ne

N. Uematsu, arr. Keller

Jaclyn Kurtz, Soprano

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time - Hero of Time Suite

K. Kondo, arr. Keller

Jaclyn Kurtz, Soprano

 

About the Video Game Symphony

The Video Game Symphony is an exciting new orchestra that is enriching the artistic landscape of Northeastern Ohio and inspiring a new generation of musicians. This groundbreaking ensemble is one of the only professional-caliber orchestras in the world dedicated exclusively to the artform of video game music. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Video Game Symphony aspires to not only bring this underappreciated genre of music to life in the concert hall, but to reach out and connect with members of the community–hosting engaging concerts and special events, collaborating with local education programs, and drawing new audiences into the rich and expressive realm of classical music.

This is the Video Game Symphony’s debut performance at the Maltz Performing Arts Center, and comes hot off the heels of the ensemble’s electrifying world premier at the Cleveland Gaming Classic. The Video Game Symphony has also scheduled upcoming performances at Colossalcon, Kent State University, CPL PLAY, and more. Performing smash hits like Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Pokemon, Halo, Final Fantasy, and Skyrim in all their symphonic glory, the Video Game Symphony is an experience not to be missed!

Introducing the Cinematic Symphony Orchestra…

The Cinematic Symphony Orchestra is the incredibly exciting sister symphony to the Video Game Symphony that will soon be hosting a concert series HERE at the Maltz Performing Arts Center. Like the Video Game Symphony, the Cinematic Symphony Orchestra will be exclusively dedicated to one singular artform – in this case, the fantastic world of film music!

The CSO will be making its world premiere on October 19th, 2024 at the Maltz Performing Arts Center with its debut concert titled “SUPERHEROES – Live in Concert.” This performance will feature a wide variety of thrilling music from epic Hollywood blockbusters such as Spider-Man, Batman, Superman, The Avengers, Captain America, Thor, X-Men, and more! And that’s just the beginning…

Here is the full Cinematic Symphony Orchestra schedule for the 2024-25 season:

October 19 th , 2024

SUPERHEROES –
Live in Concert

December 21 st , 2024

CHRISTMAS AT THE MOVIES

February 15 th , 2025
LOVE IS IN THE AIR –
Romantic Movies in Concert

April 12 th , 2025
SCI-FI SPECTACULAR –
Science Fiction Movies in Concert

It’s going to be an amazing year full of magical music with the two sister symphonies at the Maltz Performing Arts Center – the Cinematic Symphony Orchestra and the Video Game Symphony. Follow our social media accounts and make sure to check out our website to learn more about future concerts. We hope to see you next year!

Acknowledgements

The Video Game Symphony would like to extend a very special thanks to Colton Snyder, Nathan Long, Penny Graves, and the rest of the congregation of University Church (Kent, OH) for generously hosting our orchestra rehearsals and for all their support. We would also like to enthusiastically thank Joel Royalty, Andrew Perkins, and the rest of the congregation of the Broadview Heights Baptist Church for graciously hosting our choir and chamber ensemble rehearsals. Lastly, we would like to extend a huge thanks to Jason Cohen, Ross Peabody, and the rest of the Maltz Performing Arts Center staff for making this performance happen.

Support Us

Like what you heard tonight? The Video Game Symphony is an all-volunteer orchestra and relies on donations from people like you to thrive! Consider following us on social media and making a tax-deductible donation via our PayPal Giving Fund which can be accessed by scanning the QR code or going to our website and clicking “PayPal Giving Fund”.

Upcoming VGS Performances

Below is just a preview of some of our upcoming performances! For more, please visit our website.

Saturday, May 18 th , 2024
VGS @ Kent State University
Ludwig Recital Hall
Kent, OH
7:00 PM

Saturday, June 1 st , 2024
VGS @ Colossalcon 2024
Kalahari Resorts & Conventions

Sandusky, OH

Saturday, August 3 rd , 2024
VGS @ CPL Play

Eastman Garden

Cleveland, OH

2:00 PM

Connect with Us!

Be one of the first people to know when the Video Game Symphony and Cinematic Symphony Orchestra announce something new by connecting with us on social media and visiting our website!

Video Game Symphony
Website: videogamesymphony.com

Social Media: linktr.ee/videogamesymphony.com

Cinematic Symphony Orchestra
Website: cinematicsymphony.org

Social Media: linktr.ee/cinematicsymphony

 

 

 

 

Upcoming at MPAC

Let us take you to the movies.  The same great Orchestra you've seen tonight tackles the movies all next season.  Click Here for special early booking offers.