YOUNG MUSICIANS FOUNDATION TO CELEBRATE VIDEO GAME MUSIC WITH INAUGURAL CONCERT UNDER THE STARS

Since its invention just over 30 years ago, the ever-growing video gaming industry has long been associated with youth culture. More recently, it has expanded its reach as an educational tool.  In an effort to highlight this compelling relationship between video games, youth culture and education, the Young Musicians Foundation (YMF) will explore one of the most popular elements of this pop culture phenomenon: the music.

Coming to the historic outdoor Ford Theatres for the first time on September 27, 2013, Gamer Jams: Music Behind the Screen will celebrate the art of video game music with this inaugural event. A talented, symphonic youth orchestra will perform some favorite selections from popular video games, creating a one-of-a-kind entertaining and educational, multi-media experience.

Sixty-five members of the YMF’s Debut Orchestra, the second oldest pre-professional training orchestra in the country, will kick off their 2013-2014 concert season with this orchestral event. The audience will get a “behind the screen” look – and listen – at several prolific composers who score some of the biggest video games in the industry, including 11-time Emmy®award-winner and Oscar®-nominee Bruce Broughton, who wrote the first recorded orchestral score for a video game, “Heart of Darkness,” in 1998.  Rounding out the group of composers whose music will be heard are Jack Wall (“Mass Effect” series and “Call of Duty: Black Ops II”), Austin Wintory (“Journey”), Greg Edmonson (“Uncharted”), Inon Zur (“Dragon Age” and “Fallout: New Vegas”), Christopher Lennertz (“Medal of Honor,” “Mass Effect 3” and “Gun”), Garry Schyman (“BioShock”) and Russell Brower (“Starcraft II” and “Diablo III”). This performance by the Debut Orchestra and Music Director Roger Kalia will feature special conducting appearances by many of the composers as well.  Jack Wall, a gaming industry and live venue-helming veteran, is a producer of the event.

Local artists, schools and music programs will also have a chance to be featured in the video show with a “Fan Art” contest that will be running during the 6-weeks prior. Fans are invited to submit fan art from “Uncharted,” “Journey,” “Starcraft,” “Diablo,” “Bioshock” and “Mass Effect” for a chance to have their creativity showcased on screen in front on hundreds of fans.  Submissions are due September 2, 2013 to [email protected]. Ticket prices start at $20.00 and range to $85.00, with discounts for students available.  VIP Seating tickets are available for $100.00 and include a pre-concert reception with appetizers, beverages and a special, rare Meet-and-Greet with the featured composers. Guests who purchase tickets by September 20, 2013 will receive a $5 discount.  Tickets are available at www.FordTheaters.orgor 323-461-3673 (for non-visual media: 323-GO-1-FORD).  Discounts for groups of 8 or more are available by calling 323-769-2147.

ABOUT THE YOUNG MUSICIANS FOUNDATION:

Since its founding in 1955, YMF has been guided by leading Los Angeles performers, composers, and educators in a variety of immersive programming activities and events.  Musicians in YMF’s programs benefit not only from the pre-professional training they receive, but also from the influence of alumni who have achieved success as professional musicians.  This relationship benefits the musicianship and careers of their future music professionals.  As arts organizations around the country have faced challenges of budget cuts and fiscal uncertainty, YMF strives to maintain a family of participants and alumni who work together to keep classical music training accessible and relevant to audiences everywhere.

ABOUT THE FORDTHEATRES:

The Ford Theatres are located at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood, CA 90068, just off the 101 Hollywood Freeway, across from the Hollywood Bowl and south of Universal Studios. The grounds open two hours before showtime for picnicking. The Ford offers a number of dining options: a variety of food and beverages are available on site and box dinners for evening events may be ordered in advance. Patrons are welcome to bring their own food and drink.

This event is part of the Ford Theatres 2013 Summer Amphitheatre Season, a multi-disciplinary arts series produced by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission in cooperation with Los Angeles County-based arts organizations. For a complete season schedule, directions to the amphitheater and parking information, log on to www.FordTheatres.org.

# # #

Contact for Media and Red Carpet / Press Line RSVPs:

Jordan von Netzer and Charley Walters

CW3PR for GamerJams / YMF

323-476-1050

[email protected]; [email protected]

** Sponsorships for this event are available to help showcase brands and products.   Please contact the above or [email protected]