WFU Orchestra Director to lead Munich Radio Orchestra in program featuring video game music
Orchestra Director and Assistant Teaching Professor of Music J. Aaron Hardwick will lead the Münchner Rundfunkorchester (Munich Radio Orchestra) in a performance of “Let’s Play,” a concert dedicated to video game music, on Wednesday, Feb. 12.
The concert, to be broadcast live via the Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR) network, will showcase the evolving landscape of classical music, emphasize the growing recognition of video game music as an influential art form.
“It’s an honor to work with such a distinguished ensemble,” he said. “Alongside these incredible musicians, I am excited to present a concert that will engage video game music fans and all audiences.”
Gaming and symphonies join forces
- “How video games like Starfield’ are creating a new generation of classical music fans,” written by Hardwick for The Conversation, was featured in media publications worldwide.
- Hardwick was featured in, “FM Symphony Orchestra levels up with concert inspired by ‘Legend of Zelda’” (InForum)
- What’s driving diverse audiences to symphonic music? Video games (Wake Forest News)
What the research shows
Gaming continues to grow among people of all ages and backgrounds and represents (as of 2022) a $85 billion industry in the U.S. alone. It is projected to reach a worldwide revenue of $533 billion by 2027.
“As a conductor, musician and educator, I’m excited about games like ‘Starfield’ because they’re drawing people to symphonic music like never before”
J. Aaron Hardwick
Hardwick’s research on gaming music suggests performance of video game music by symphony orchestras has and will continue to open new pathways for listening, performance and composition that is increasing audience engagement in symphonic music.
We Play Together: Music & Gaming
Wake Forest University, in coordination with the University Symphony Orchestra, will be hosting “We Play Together: Music & Gaming” April 16-19. More information is available on the event website. Media interested in learning more about the event, please email media@wfu.edu.
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