Des Plaines band to celebrate music of John Williams
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American composer, conductor, and pianist John Williams is one of the best-known and most influential composers in the history of the United States. In a career spanning over six decades, he has composed some of the most recognizable film scores of our day including the "Star Wars" saga, the Indiana Jones films, "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," "Superman" and the first three Harry Potter movies.
In celebration of this remarkable career, the Des Plaines Park District Community Concert Band, under the direction of Lawrence J. Carle, will present, "From a Galaxy, Far, Far Away," the music of John Williams, featuring clips of the movies on the big screen during the performance.
The concert will be played 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, at the Prairie Lakes Theatre, 515 E. Thacker St.
"Williams' music moves musicians," said Carle, a longtime fan. "His music is challenging to play, but exciting, dramatic, and inspiring." Carle met Williams after a concert at Ravinia.
"His music lives in my heart," said Carle, "so when we began to discuss the October program, I was thrilled when we chose to play John Williams' music."
Selections from the program will include: "Call of the Champions," the official theme of the 2002 Olympics; "Can You Read My Mind?" the love theme from "Superman"; the finale from "E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial"; "Somewhere in My Memory" and "Star of Bethlehem" from "Home Alone"; "Midway March", from "Midway"; highlights from "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," "A. I. Artificial Intelligence," "The Patriot"; the Indiana Jones movies; and the symphonic suite from "Star Wars, Episode VI: Return of the Jedi".
Doug Fox, the first-chair trumpet player for the band and a multimedia producer, and LeeAnn Sydlund, a multimedia technician, have teamed up to edit together a selection of scenes from the movies as the music is played.
"We hope everyone will come out and see this amazing performance," said Shelli Sarg, facility manager for Prairie Lakes Community Center. "Since the concert is so close to Halloween, we are inviting everyone to come in dressed in costume, especially dressed as some of the iconic characters from the musical selections.
People who come in costume will receive a free family photo, courtesy of the Des Plaines Camera Club and there will be goody bags for the kids.
The concert will be about an hour long, played without an intermission. Tickets: $5; seniors and students $3; family $12 (2 adults, 1 or 2 children). Free for 5 and under.
Visit www.DPParks.org or call (847) 391-5711.
