Utah Symphony Ends Summer With VIDEO GAMES LIVE Concerts Today

Transport yourself into the world of 8-bit and CGI with music straight from the world of computer and video games in Video Games Live. The Utah Symphony hosts two spectacular performances today, Sept. 6 at 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. at Abravanel Hall with Emmanuel Fratianni conducting.

Generating sold-out halls all over the nation, this phenomenon is returning to Salt Lake City with a new show presented with community partner, Salt Lake Comic Con during the second annual convention occurring that same weekend. Take a musical voyage from the genesis of gaming to the best of current favorites.

Local composer Chance Thomas' original composition, "Theme for Rohan" from the Lord of the Rings Online will be premiered, with Mr. Thomas guest conducting during both shows. Mr. Thomas is from Bountiful and has recorded this music for Lord of the Rings Online with the Utah Film Orchestra and Salt Lake Choral Artists.

The show will also include new segments from Final Fantasy, World of Warcraft, Skyrim, Shadow of the Colossus, Journey, Tetris, Mass Effect, and Mega Man. The Utah Symphony will perform along with exclusive video footage and music arrangements, synchronized lighting, solo performers, electronic percussionists, live action, and unique interactive segments to create an explosive entertainment experience.

It's sure to be the culminating event during this week of fantasy in Salt Lake City that includes the 2nd annual Salt Lake Comic Con and the Magic: The Game Grand Prix competition.

RELATED EVENTS

Utah Symphony is holding a Facebook contest to win a pair of premium seats to the Video Games Live concert on September 6 and a Video Games Live digital prize package which includes artwork from Earthworm Jim, a score from BioShock, a Tron Light Cycle Blueprint, Video Games Live music and more for a total grand prize value of $420! Simply "like" our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/utahsymphony) and leave a comment with your favorite video game on the contest announcement post. More details and contest rules are found here: www.utahsymphony.org/contest.

One hour prior to each concert, audiences can show off their Guitar Hero skills in a competition-the winner will play on stage with the symphony! Also, there will be a costume contest with the winner selected from the stage just prior to the concert. After the concert, stick around for the meet and greet reception with game industry VIPs.

Primary Children's Hospital will be hosting "Extra Life," a 24-hour gaming fundraiser for children battling disease and illness. Participants can sign up for the October 25th fundraiser in the lobby of Abravanel Hall during Video Games Live. There will also be an area for donations set up for those that want to contribute but may not have the gaming skills needed to play for 24 hours. For more information, or to donate, visit www.extra-life.org.

Single tickets for the performance start at $18 and can be purchased by phone at (801) 355-2787, in person at the Abravanel Hall ticket office (125 W. South Temple) or online by visiting www.utahsymphony.org. Tickets for patrons ages 30 or younger are available for $10 each through the USUO Upbeat program. Season subscribers can purchase discounted tickets by contacting (801) 533-6683. Those desiring group discounts should call (801) 869-9046. All ticket prices are subject to change and availability, and will increase $5 when purchased on the day of the performance.

GUEST ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES

Cadence Choir

Cadence is the Select Choir from the Horne School of Music at Snow College in Ephraim, Utah. The group is made up of 36 singers, most of whom are vocal music majors in the college's Bachelor of Music program. Directed from its inception by Dr. Steve Meredith, the group sings a remarkably diverse repertoire each year, ranging from Renaissance music to classic rock, and does so with authenticity. Because of this flexibility, the group has been invited to perform at numerous state, regional and national events, and in numerous professional capacities, including the recent Star Wars Live and Josh Groban tours, and performances of Video Games Live at venues throughout the western US. The current members of Cadence are excited to be invited to perform VGL with the Utah Symphony for the third time, and are glad to welcome back several alumni for tonight's appearance. They also wish to thank Mr. Tommy Tallarico and the producers of this event for the great opportunity.

Emmanuel Fratianni

Awarded a visiting artist visa by the United States in 2000, Emmanuel Fratianni arrived in Los Angeles to become a sought after conductor, composer, pianist and music team member in the Hollywood film, television, music and video game industries as well as the concert world. An award-winning composer, his work has been performed by some of the finest and most recorded orchestras in the world, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

In the U.S. Emmanuel Fratianni has guest conducted the Houston Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, Utah Symphony, the National Symphony Orchestra at Wolf Trap, as well as the San Francisco Symphony at Davies Hall. Around the world he has guest conducted orchestras such as the Royal Scottish National Symphony, The Malaysian Symphony Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra of Chile and in Asia the Beijing Opera and Performing Art Orchestra. Emmanuel is currently principal conductor and music director of the acclaimed international symphonic tour Video Games Live. Emmanuel's debut on the Billboard Top-Ten in 2008 with EMI Classics Video Games Live, Vol.1 soundtrack album (as composer, conductor, and orchestrator) cemented his status in the classical/crossover orchestral world. His numerous awards and credits as a composer and collaborator include "Soundtrack of the Year" by Play Magazine for the score to Advent Rising, one GANG Award and five GANG Nominations.

Dr. Steve Meredith

Steve Meredith is the director of the Horne School of Music at Snow College in Ephraim, Utah where he also serves as the Director of Choral Activities. Under his leadership, the music program obtained the first 4-year degree in the history of Snow College: a Bachelor of Music degree in Commercial Music. As a speaker and clinician, Dr. Meredith is much in demand, particularly for his unique insights into the future of music education at the college/university level. A noted vocal soloist, Dr. Meredith's 30-year career has taken him to some of the world's greatest venues, where he has performed as a soloist with many notable conductors and ensembles, including numerous stints as a soloist with the Utah Symphony. Equally at home in the recording studio, his voice has been featured in many films, TV shows and other national and regional commercial projects. He is currently working on a music library project for EMH Classical Music and Warner/Chapell Music.

Tommy Tallarico

Tommy Tallarico is a veritable video game industry icon. As one of the most successful video game composers in history, he has helped revolutionize the gaming world, creating unique audio landscapes that enhance the video gaming experience. He is considered the person most instrumental in changing the game industry from bleeps & bloops to real music now appreciated worldwide by millions of fans. He is the founder, CEO and Chairman of G.A.N.G. (Game Audio Network Guild), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting excellence in interactive audio (www.audiogang.org).

Tommy was the host, writer and co-producer of the award-winning, cutting-edge television shows Reviews on the Run and the Electric Playground. An accomplished musician, Tallarico has been writing music for video games for more than 22 years. Tallarico was the first musician to release a video game soundtrack worldwide (Tommy Tallarico's Greatest Hits Vol. 1 - Capitol Records). Tommy was one of the first person to ever use live guitar and 3-D audio in a video game (The Terminator), and was instrumental in bringing true digital interactive 5.1 surround to the gaming world. He has won over 50 industry awards for best video game audio and has worked on more than 300 game titles. His score for Advent Rising has been noted as "one of the greatest musical scores of all time" by websites such as Yahoo, Gamespot and others. In 2008, he was enshrined in the Guinness Book of World Records with a two page feature article and interview and currently holds 3 Guinness World Records including the person who has worked on the most commercially released video games.

For more information about Tommy, visit www.tallarico.com.

Video Games Live

Video Games Live is an immersive concert event featuring music from the most popular video games of all time. Created, produced and hosted by well-known game industry veteran and superstar Tommy Tallarico, top orchestras and choirs around the world perform along with exclusive synchronized video footage and music arrangements, synchronized lighting, well known internet solo performers, electronic percussion, live action and unique interactive segments to create an explosive one-of-a-kind entertainment experience.

Incorporated in 2002, Video Games Live is the first and most successful video game touring concert in the world having performed over 250 shows in 25 countries on 5 continents. Over 11,000 people were present for the debut performance at the Hollywood Bowl with the L.A. Philharmonic and since then over 1 million people have experienced the show live. Video Games Live has released 2 albums worldwide (both of which debuted in the Billboard Top 10) as well as an award winning full length feature DVD/Blu-Ray. In 2010 the show aired nationally on PBS and quickly became one of the top rated PBS Specials of all time. Inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records for the biggest game concert in the world (over 100,000 in China), Video Games Live continues to break new ground and thrill audiences worldwide with brand new content each year.

For more information, visit www.videogameslive.com.

PROGRAM

The Utah Symphony presents

Video Games Live

Abravanel Hall, 123 West South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah

Saturday, September 6, 11:00 AM and 8:00 PM

Tommy Tallarico, Host, Creator, Producer, Guitar

Emmanuel Fratianni, Conductor

Candence Choir

Steve Meredith, Cadence Choir Music Director

Matt Yelton, Audio Engineer

Mike Runice, Video Operator

Chad Gore, Lighting Director

Cesar Solorio, Production & Stage Manager

**Salt Lake Comic Con is a proud community sponsor of the Video Games Live concerts

Selections will include music from Final Fantasy, Warcraft, Skyrim, Shadow of the Colossus, Journey, Tetris, Mass Effect, Mega Man, Lord of the Rings Online and others. Songs will be announced from the stage.

About Salt Lake Comic Con - Salt Lake Comic Con is organized by Dan Farr Productions in partnership with Media One of Utah, a joint operating agreement between the Salt Lake Tribune and the Deseret News, and ABC4/CW30 of the Nexstar Broadcasting Group. Dan Farr Productions is an event and marketing group devoted to organizing events, launching and acquiring new shows, and partnering with premium celebrities and brands in the pop culture arena. Dan Farr Productions is dedicated to producing spectacular celebrations of popular culture that lead the market in providing exceptional and rewarding experiences for our consumers, fans, celebrity guests, vendors and partners. Find out more at: SaltLakeComicCon.com, mediaoneutah.com, abc4.com/.

About the Utah Symphony - Founded in 1940, the Utah Symphony is dedicated to providing Utah residents and visitors with great performances which engage, educate and enrich lives. Utah Symphony | Utah Opera, the orchestra's parent organization, reaches 450,000 residents in Utah and the Intermountain region, with educational outreach programs serving more than 155,000 students annually. The orchestra presents more than 70 performances each season in Abravanel Hall, participates in the Utah Opera's four annual productions at the Capitol Theatre, in addition to numerous community concerts throughout Utah and the annual outdoor summer series - the Deer Valley Music Festival -in Park City, Utah. With its many subscription, education, and outreach concerts and tours the Utah Symphony is one of the most engaged full-time orchestras in the nation. For more information visit www.utahsymphony.org.