TALLAHASSEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND FIRST COMMERCE CREDIT UNION PRESENT STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE IN CONCERT

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra (TSO) will present Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert featuring a screening of the complete film with composer John Williams’ iconic music score performed live to the film. The concert will be led by conductor John Jesensky on Saturday, September 28 and Sunday, September 29, 2024, at The Donald L. Tucker Civic Center. Tickets are available at TallahasseeSymphony.org

September’s performances will mark the second installment of the Films in Concert with TSO series, the orchestra’s newest initiative that aims to engage, enrich and inspire people at all stages of life through great music. Sponsored by First Commerce Credit Union, the series offers a thrilling new way to experience your favorite films — with a live orchestra! Each experience screens a full-length movie just as you would see in theaters while your TSO performs the score, live to picture.

“You won’t have to go to a galaxy far, far away to experience dazzling musicianship that brings this iconic film to life,” said First Commerce CEO Cecilia Homison. “As a credit union dedicated to transforming the communities we serve, we are proud to partner with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra to bring this one-of-a-kind event to our region for fans of all ages to enjoy.”

Since the release of this first Star Wars movie over 45 years ago, the Star Wars saga has had a seismic impact on both cinema and culture, inspiring audiences around the world with its mythic storytelling, captivating characters, groundbreaking special effects and iconic musical scores composed by Williams. Generations of fans will experience the scope and grandeur of this beloved film in a live symphonic concert experience.

“It’s absolutely thrilling to hear the music live as you watch the movie,” said Amanda Stringer, CEO of the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra. “Whether it’s your first time seeing the movie or your 50th, hearing the orchestra play that iconic music live for the first time is overwhelming in an exciting and fantastic way.”

Legendary composer Williams is well known for scoring all nine of the Star Wars saga films, beginning with 1977’s Star Wars: A New Hope for which he earned an Academy Award® for Best Original Score. His scores for The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker were each nominated for Best Original Score.

Luke Skywalker begins a journey that will change the galaxy in Star Wars: A New Hope. Nineteen years after the formation of the Empire, Luke is thrust into the struggle of the Rebel Alliance when he meets Obi-Wan Kenobi, who has lived for years in seclusion on the desert planet of Tatooine. Obi-Wan begins Luke’s Jedi training as Luke joins him on a daring mission to rescue the beautiful Rebel leader Princess Leia from the clutches of Darth Vader and the evil Empire.

The presentation is licensed by Disney Concerts.

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ABOUT FIRST COMMERCE CREDIT UNION

First Commerce is an award-winning, full-service, #LocalStrong financial institution dedicated to empowering generations and transforming communities for nearly 85 years. First Commerce has been consistently recognized for its community impact, including national awards for their annual #FlamingoChallenge benefiting breast cancer patients throughout the region and the #LocalStrong initiative helping local businesses and people at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The credit union serves more than 70,000 consumer and business members across North Florida and South Georgia and has more than $1 billion in assets. First Commerce offers best-in-class consumer and business products and services. First Commerce also offers free financial literacy resources in person and online through the FCCU Foundation, as well as comprehensive financial planning and investment services through its subsidiary Six Pillars Financial Advisors, and commercial and personal insurance through First Commerce Insurance Agency. For details, visit FirstCommerceCU.org or call 850.488.0035 or 1.800.533.5772. Insured by NCUA. Equal housing opportunity lender.

ABOUT DISNEY CONCERTS:

Disney Concerts is the concert production and licensing division of Disney Music Group, the music arm of The Walt Disney Company.  Disney Concerts produces concerts and tours, and licenses Disney music and visual content to symphony orchestras, choruses and presenters on a worldwide basis. Disney Concerts’ concert packages include a variety of formats, such as “live to picture” film concerts, and themed instrumental and vocal compilation concerts that range from instrumental-only symphonic performances to multimedia productions featuring live vocalists and choirs.  Featuring concerts from the largest movie franchises in the world – from Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, Pixar and 20^th Century Studios – current titles include the Star Wars Film Concert Series, Toy Story, Aladdin, Disney Princess – The Concert, Coco, The Lion King, Up, The Lion King, Up, Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas and The Muppet Christmas Carol.