Hollywood movie music star of the show at Space Coast Symphony Orchestra concert

It is not surprising that movie music moves us, for we always seem to remember which movies were playing at particular chapters in our lives. Films can even direct us to a career, as they did for Aaron Collins, founder and conductor of the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra.

"I fell in love with orchestral music by watching movies," said Collins. "I quickly realized that the music was a huge part of what made films special.”

He adds that film scores aren’t just dressing, but rather integral to the story and to your response to the film and its characters.

“In some ways, the music is always the main character, staying with you from start to finish,” he said.  

Whenever Collins orchestrates a “movie night” for the Space Coast Symphony, the house is typically packed. He will provide another opportunity to reminisce about beloved films with “Hooray for Hollywood,” the Symphony’s film-intensive concert at 7 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 25, at Satellite High School Performing Arts Center, 300 Scorpion Court in Satellite Beach. 

More:'Shark Tank' star Mark Cuban 'so proud' of Viera High grad's eco-friendly company Nohbo

In addition to the glorious scores from blockbusters such as “Indiana Jones,” “Back to the Future,” “Lawrence of Arabia,” “Forrest Gump,” and others, the special tribute concert will accompany the music with film clips from these iconic films for an even more intense blast-from-the-past experience.

For Collins, selecting the film music to highlight is almost an embarrassment of riches.

“There are so many wonderful film scores that have been written,” he said.

“The challenge is to find a good balance between old and new.  We haven’t performed a lot of the classic film scores like “Gone With the Wind,” “Laura,” “The Godfather,” “Out of Africa,” and “To Kill a Mockingbird.” I’ve been longing to perform these scores for many years! 

Plan ahead for Jan. 22-28:Concerts across the county from Titusville to Melbourne

If film music is so popular, why don’t orchestras do more of these programs? For one thing, it was once considered too plebeian by orchestras, but the attitude has changed big time. The price point is also an issue. 

“Film music tends to be more expensive to perform than classical works,” explained Collins.

“Orchestras around the world are jumping onto the movie-music bandwagon. For years, film scores have been looked down upon, but we are seeing a huge surge of ensembles around the world performing film music and connecting to a whole new generation of concert goers. The concert presentation is helping to bring overdue respect to film scores. But yes, it is much more expensive!”

'How wrong I was':Robert Redford thought 'Raindrops' in 'Butch Cassidy' was 'a dumb idea'

Some scores are eternally recyclable, and audiences never tire of them.

“Certain works like “Star Wars,” “Jurassic Park,” “Titanic” and others warrant repeat performances,” said Collins.

“New is great, but there is a reason why orchestras continue to program music like 'Star Wars.' It puts butts in seats and it is fantastic music to perform and listen to.”  

Like everyone else, Collins has personal favorites. For him, you can’t go wrong with “The Empire Strikes Back,” “Jurassic Park,” and “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

“I can vividly remember hearing all three of these scores for the first time and the sheer happiness they brought to me and still continue to,” he said.

With “Hooray for Hollywood,” Collins’ orchestra will share that sheer happiness movie music creates with the audience.   

"Hooray for Hollywood"

When: Saturday, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m.

Where: Satellite High Performing Arts Center, 300 Scorpion Court, Satellite Beach

Tickets: $25 in advance, or $30 at the door. Students 18 and under, or with student ID, are admitted free. In keeping with their mission, the Symphony also offers a unique Symphony for Everyone program with a "pay-what-you-can" option.

Call: 855-252-7276

On the web: spacecoastsymphony.org