The Force was with Augusta Symphony’s “Star Wars” concert

I got to cross something off my bucket list recently. It wasn’t necessarily a big item, just something I’ve always wanted to do but rarely got the chance.

A couple of weeks ago, “Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope” was shown at the Miller Theater with a really cool twist - the Augusta Symphony performed the movie’s score live.

I heard about this concept years ago and promised myself that I would take advantage of the opportunity, given the chance. As things like this often go, I imagined I would have to drive to Atlanta. So, when I saw that it was happening in Augusta, and at the historic Miller Theater no less, I was very excited.

Almost my entire relationship with orchestral music is through movie soundtracks. I do love a good movie score. Danny Elfman’s theme to “Batman” playing over the beginning of the 1989 film still resonates. It sends me right back to that theater where I first saw the movie. The same can be said for the music he wrote for 2002’s “Spider-Man.” The first time I saw it, it just somehow sounded like it belonged with that movie.  Don’t get me started with Alan Silvestri’s score for “Back to the Future.” My love for that movie is widely documented.

John Williams, however, is on another level. The man is nothing short of a musical genius. He has given us so many legendary movie scores: “Superman,” “Jaws,” “Jurassic Park,” Indiana Jones, Harry Potter, and, yes, pretty much every “Star Wars” movie, spin-off, sequel, and prequel. His 54 Academy Award nominations make him the most nominated living person.

I’m also a big “Star Wars” fan. No, I don’t own my own lightsaber or anything. I’m not that nerdy. Also, I want to wait until I can build my own at Disney’s “Galaxy’s Edge” - but I digress. I grew up with the movies, so the nostalgia is strong. When I heard the Augusta Symphony hit that first note of the opening theme, chills took over as all those years of following the most dysfunctional family in the galaxy - the Skywalkers, not the Kardashians - came rushing back to me.

The Augusta Symphony performed the score to perfection, with one caveat. It didn’t perform the Cantina music live, which was disappointing but not enough to sully the entire performance. I had high expectations going in, which made me nervous. The Augusta Symphony delivered. I can’t wait to go again.

The only problem is I don’t know if the Augusta Symphony is planning another performance like this. So, I’ll take this opportunity to plead. The 40th anniversary of “Back to the Future” is coming up in July. Can you imagine watching that DeLorean in all its spark-shooting-at 88 mph glory fly away as the Augusta Symphony hits that iconic fanfare?

Great Scott!