Charlottesville & University Symphony Orchestra Will Perform Movie Music Under the Stars on Sunday

The University Programs Council and the Charlottesville & University Symphony Orchestra are joining forces to present the annual “Symphony Under the Stars” on Sunday at 8 p.m.

First launched in 2009, the free outdoor pops concert will take place this year in the University of Virginia’s McIntire Amphitheater, with the rain location in Old Cabell Hall.

Music director Kate Tamarkin will conduct the orchestra, exploring the power and imagination of film scores in the program, “Music from the Big Screen.” Audience members are invited to come dressed as their favorite movie character.

Highlights will include selections from “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,” “Les Miserables,” “Tara’s Theme” from “Gone With the Wind,” a medley of title songs from James Bond hit movies and theme music from “Jurassic Park,” “Star Wars,” “Titanic,” “The Magnificent Seven” and “The Pink Panther.”

The Charlottesville & University Symphony Orchestra, now in its 39th season, has been under the artistic leadership of Tamarkin since 2006. The orchestra is supported through a unique partnership between the Charlottesville Symphony Society, a private nonprofit corporation, and the McIntire Department of Music in U.Va.’s College of Arts & Sciences.

In tribute to this year’s Virginia Film Festival, special guest Jody Kielbasa, director of the festival and U.Va.’s vice provost for the arts, will discuss the films and musical scores as part of the program in a first-time collaboration with the orchestra.

In his four years as the film festival’s director, Kielbasa has employed a combination of innovative programming and community engagement to take the festival to new heights, breaking all-time records in sales and attendance for the past four years.

“We are so excited to bring back ‘Symphony Under the Stars’ this fall,” said Elly Roller, undergraduate student in the College and a member of the University Programs Council. “We want it to be a tradition that students, faculty, staff and Charlottesville residents can look forward to year after year.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to come together and enjoy talented musicians under the autumn stars in the beautiful U.Va amphitheater.”

The University Programs Council is a student-run programming organization that provides students and other members of the University and Charlottesville communities with a wide variety of entertaining and educational activities and events.

Free parking is available in the Central Grounds Garage, located on Emmet Street. Picnics are welcome, but alcohol is prohibited on the U.Va Grounds.

The Daily Progress is supporting the event as the media sponsor with additional support provided by the McIntire Department of Music, the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost and Office of the Vice Provost for the Arts.