Dayton Philharmonic Brings "PLAY! A VIDEO GAME SYMPHONY" Back to Dayton with Premieres of Music from DRAGON AGE, CASTLEVANIA and More!

Special production celebrates creative music from over a dozen popular game titles

DAYTON, Ohio, March 23, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra (DPO), in conjunction with Jason Michael Paul Productions, announces the return of PLAY! A VIDEO GAME SYMPHONY to Dayton, Ohio, on Thursday, March 31st at the Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center. The innovative production will include full orchestral scores, multi-media gaming action on three giant screens above the stage, a 60-person combined chorus from three Dayton region high schools (Stebbins H.S., Oakwood H.S., and Kings H.S.), and will be conducted by the production's new Music Director, Andy Brick. The first performance of PLAY! with the DPO garnered high praise and exceptional ticket sales for it's original performance in April of 2009.

The DPO and PLAY! are proud to announce that Inon Zur's celebrated music from DRAGON AGE: ORIGINS makes its U.S. premiere with PLAY! and the Dayton Philharmonic. DRAGON AGE II recently released for PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The Orchestra is excited to celebrate with this special performance of music from the original game.

In addition to DRAGON AGE, PLAY! also debuts TWO BRAND NEW PIECES: an all-new, never-before-heard arrangement of music from the CASTLEVANIA franchise, as well as an enthralling new take on an old classic - but video game fans will have to wait for the new mystery piece, as it serves as an all new surprise opener for the show.

CASTLEVANIA, created especially for PLAY! by composer and orchestral arranger Chad Seiter (Fracture VG, Fringe, LOST, and Star Trek), features fresh and exciting interpretations of fan-favorites: "Moonlight Nocturne" from Symphony of the Night, "Iron Blue Intention" from Bloodlines, and "Bloody Tears" from Simon's Quest. The exciting music and video spans the series from the original CASTLEVANIA title through Konami's most recent entry, "Lords of Shadow." Gaming and music fans won't want to miss this!

PLAY! is proud to introduce its new Music Director, Andy Brick, an acclaimed composer and experienced arranger in his own right. Maestro Brick brings his personal love for video games and the music that accompanies them to the concert hall. Executive Producer Jason Paul says: "Andy has a charismatic style of sharing the excitement of the music and action from PLAY! with audiences. Video game fans and music fans alike find themselves enthralled with the unique combination of their own orchestra with their favorite video games."

We're also excited to introduce award winning video producer/director Anthony Pagano as he completes his first year with PLAY! on tour. With over 25 years of experience working with such names as: The Jonas Brothers, Pavarotti, Ennio Morricone and Elton John, his more than 15 DVD credits range from Bad Company Live at the Hard Rock, The Isley Brothers, Dickie Betts to The Blind Boys of Alabama. Anthony is considered one of the finest "LIVE" video directors in the industry, and we're delighted to have him on board.

Complete with a new team, a new year of games and a growing catalog of new music, PLAY! promises to create one of the most exciting concert experiences of the year, courtesy of the Dayton Philharmonic!

Ticket prices range from $22-$76. Student discounts are 50% off in Tiers B-E. Tickets for all remaining DPO 2010-2011 season concerts can be purchased online or by calling Ticket Center Stage at (888) 228-3630.

Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra

Performance Place at the Schuster Center  /  109 North Main Street, Suite 200  /  Dayton, Ohio 45402

About the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra & Music Director Neal Gittleman

ORCHESTRA MISSION: To enliven the spirit, inspire the imagination, cultivate the musical appreciation, and serve the education and entertainment needs of Greater Dayton and surrounding communities.

Founded in 1933, the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra has a distinguished place in the Gem City's history as one of the Miami Valley's oldest and longest standing cultural institutions. The Dayton Philharmonic is a regional orchestra with 83 contracted musicians. Today, rich in artistic tradition, the Orchestra is proud to call the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center its home. The Schuster Center is a world-class, state-of-the-art performance hall that regularly attracts a great number of arts aficionados from all corners of Ohio and the nation.

Music Director Neal Gittleman inspires each listener's imagination with his unique programming, in-depth comments, easy-going style and infectious enthusiasm for music. His focus is to make symphonic music readily available, as well as appreciated, by all musical tastes. Under his direction, the Orchestra has received the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) award for Adventurous Programming of Contemporary Music eight times. Maestro Gittleman continues to bring breakthrough programming to the Dayton Philharmonic. His tenure has seen the addition of four new subscription series: Classical Connections, a beginner's guide to better understanding of classical music and the Family Series, four concerts designed so that kids of all ages can experience the wonders of classical music. In addition, new this season: the Rockin' Orchestra Series at the Schuster Center and Symphony Sundaes at the Masonic Center. Under Gittleman, the Dayton Philharmonic has also expanded and diversified its non-subscription special event program offerings including a wide range of innovative Special Events.

Neal Gittleman has been on the Dayton Philharmonic podium since September 1995. He continues to broaden the Orchestra's repertoire with more 20th century compositions and additional variety in programming. With Maestro Gittleman at the helm, the Orchestra continues to enjoy renewed community support and increased artistic vision. He has introduced a number of world, American and Dayton Philharmonic premieres and has expanded performance collaboration within Dayton's arts community.

Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra performances are made possible in part by Montgomery County and Culture Works, the single largest source of community funds for the arts and culture in the Miami Valley. Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra receives partial funding from the Ohio Arts Council, a state agency created to foster and encourage the development of the arts and to preserve Ohio's cultural heritage. Funding from the Ohio Arts Council is an investment of state tax dollars that promotes economic growth, educational excellence, and cultural enrichment for all Ohio residents.

CONTACT: DAVID BUKVIC, Director of Marketing & Public Relations
(937) 224-3521 x 109
[email protected]
www.daytonphilharmonic.com

SOURCE Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra