Symphony Evening - A Night at the Oscars

It’s been a lovely evening. Out for supper with friends and then to the symphony. I’m not really a symphony kind of girl unless the music is good. And this evening, the music was definitely good - no, not good. Wonderful. From The Wizard of Oz to Star Wars, Gone with the Wind and Frozen we were taken symphonically through decades of movie scores, led by Conductor Sean O'Loughlin. Victoria Symphony Orchestra opened with Hooray for Hollywood. The magic of the score from To Kill a Mockingbird brought scenes of the dusty lanes where Atticus Finch, Boo Radley and Scout lived, becoming alive again to me. 

Conductor O'Loughlin not only conducted The Victoria Symphony Orchestra beautifully, he told us items of historical information about the musical pieces. The most interesting to me was that he first heard Star Wars at age 5 with his dad. Tonight he bravely conducted a new arrangement of the Star Wars score ~ that he had arranged. The most fascinating musicians? The percussionists for kettle drums, drums, cymbals, xylophone all patiently waiting for their cues and then punctuating the grand musical strains with passion and energy.

After a work day I was concerned that I’d not be able to enjoy this evening out, however I needn’t have worried. It was just magic.

“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words

 and that which cannot remain silent.”

~ Victori Hugo