Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
- The Utah Symphony performed Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" live, enhancing the film's experience.
- Conductor Conner Gray Covington highlighted the unique audience interaction and musical synchronization challenges.
- The symphony's "Films in Concert" series aims to engage diverse audiences and enhance community life.
SALT LAKE CITY — The film industry and symphony orchestras across the country have joined forces to give a new sound to some classic movies.
Fans of Disney's animated film "Beauty and the Beast" filled Abravanel Hall on Feb. 7 and 8 for a unique concert experience with the Utah Symphony. Patrons had a chance to take photos with Belle look-alikes and make their own enchanted roses.
A few musicians also introduced their instruments to the young concertgoers. One boy was able to play a large cello, and a girl had a starring moment with a violin.
Steve Brosvik, CEO and president of Utah Symphony, said the hands-on experience between guests and musicians serves a purpose.
"We're being very intentional in making sure that everyone feels welcome here and that we are performing music that is for them," Brosvik said.
The main event was for guests to watch the film while a live symphony orchestra played the movie's soundtrack.
"I grew up on 'Beauty and the Beast.' I watched it about a million times," said clarinet player Erin Svoboda-Scott. "When I was a child, orchestral music is a chance to really be in tune with what's happening here and now and emotions. It shows how well we tell stories."
Conner Gray Covington has led dozens of these film concerts around the country as a conductor.
"And you hear audience members, after they come to something like this, say, 'It is a completely different experience than watching it at home or even in the theatre,'" Covington said.
Making sure the experience sounds right is a challenge for the conductor. As Covington leads the musicians, he also gets cues from the computer placed on his podium, listens to the beat from his earbuds, and watches the screen.
"If it's a little off with the singing, everybody hears it, you know, but with a wonderful orchestra like this, it makes it a lot easier," he said.
To put the audience members at ease, Covington greeted them with the famous lines, "Be our guest!" and "A tale as old as time!" He then explained that they should all feel relaxed enough to respond.
"We want you to feel free to clap and cheer for Belle and the Beast, boo and hiss for Gaston and Le Fou and laugh at all the antics of Lumiere and Cogsworth," Covington said.
And because the film is such a fan favorite with several generations, the audience did.
"It just makes it more fun for us on stage because not only are we giving energy playing the music, but we're getting energy and excitement back from the audience!" Covington said.
The Utah Symphony has performed its "Films in Concert" series for a decade. Earlier this season, the orchestra welcomed audiences to "Jurassic Park" in September and "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" in November.
However, the films have not always been for younger audiences.
"'Modern Times' in January, the Charlie Chaplin film, 'Casablanca,' 'An American in Paris.' These are films that everybody can love but are more focused on our current adult audience," Brosvik said.
Brosvik said the symphony wants to know what you would like to see.
"If you have a film that you want to see with the orchestra playing the score live, always make sure you tell us because we are taking that feedback very seriously," he said.
He explained that the film industry and symphony orchestras throughout the country have formed a partnership that takes a great deal of work on both parts.
First, they need to separate the visuals and dialogue in the film from the music, and then the orchestra needs to create timing on a score that perfectly matches action, singing, or dancing on the screen.
But the work has proven to be worth it. Brosvik said it's proven to be very successful and wants to use this new idea to reach out and continue building an audience for the Utah Symphony.
"(It's to) help them realize how important orchestras like this are, basically improving the quality of life in any given community," Covington said.
Films in Concert may be a moment in time, but for many patrons of the Utah Symphony, they create the kind of memories you want to hold onto.
The Utah Symphony will perform "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" from April 24 to 26.
