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Concert Features Composer John Williams’ Score Performed Live to Film 

SummerFest 2025 is presented by City of Hope Orange County, with the Venue Underwritten by the City of Irvine

Pacific Symphony presents Star Wars: The Force Awakens in Concert brought to life by composer John Williams’ GRAMMY® Award-winning score performed live to the film. The concert is led by conductor Anthony Parnther on August 2 at the Great Park Live amphitheater.

Since the release of the first Star Wars movie over 45 years ago, the Star Wars saga has had a seismic impact on both cinema and culture, inspiring audiences around the world with its mythic storytelling, captivating characters, groundbreaking special effects and iconic musical scores composed by Williams.

The GRAMMY®-winning soundtrack by legendary composer John Williams is performed along to the Oscar®-nominated film to thrilling effect in a live concert experience.

“Pacific Symphony strives to bring joy and connection to our audience not only through music that they know and love, but through unique and shared experiences,” said John Forsyte, President and CEO of Pacific Symphony. “The Star Wars films offer an imaginative escape with the music telling the story just as much as the characters on screen. Our summer concert is a way for the whole family to experience the film like never before and to truly appreciate the talent and hard work of the musicians, who they can also see up on the big screen!”

Thirty years since the destruction of the second Death Star, the sinister First Order, commanded by the mysterious Snoke and apprentice Kylo Ren, rise from the ashes of the Empire. The Resistance, led by General Leia Organa, attempts to thwart the First Order's threat, but they're desperate for help. Rey, a desert scavenger, and Finn, an ex-stormtrooper, find themselves joining forces with Han Solo and Chewbacca in a perilous mission to return a BB-unit droid back to the Resistance with a map to Luke Skywalker.

Pacific Symphony’s SummerFest is presented by City of Hope Orange County. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens in Concert” takes place on August 2 at 8 p.m. with tickets ranging from $44-$160. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (714) 755-5799, or visit www.PacificSymphony.org.

The presentation is licensed by Disney Concerts.

About Disney Concerts

Disney Concerts is the concert production and licensing division of Disney Music Group, the music arm of The Walt Disney Company.  Disney Concerts produces concerts and tours, and licenses Disney music and visual content to symphony orchestras, choruses and presenters on a worldwide basis. Disney Concerts’ concert packages include a variety of formats, such as “live-to-picture” film concerts, and themed instrumental and vocal compilation concerts that range from instrumental-only symphonic performances to multimedia productions featuring live vocalists and choirs.  Featuring concerts from the largest movie franchises in the world – from Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, Pixar and 20th Century Studios – current titles include the Star Wars Film Concert Series, Toy Story, Disney Princess: The Concert, Coco, The Lion King, Up, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Muppet Christmas Carol and Infinity Saga Concert Experience.

About Pacific Symphony

Founded in 1978, Pacific Symphony is the largest orchestra formed in the U.S. in the last 50 years and is not only a fixture of musical life in Southern California, but is also recognized as an outstanding ensemble making strides on both the national and international scenes. The orchestra presents more than 100 concerts and events each year and a rich array of education and community engagement programs, reaching more than 300,000 residents of all ages.

Pacific Symphony made its debut at Carnegie Hall in 2018, where it was invited to perform as part of a yearlong celebration of composer Philip Glass' 80th birthday. The Symphony made its first-ever tour to China the same year, with performances in five cities, including Shanghai and Beijing. The Symphony has been recognized with multiple ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming and included among the country’s five most innovative orchestras by the League of American Orchestras. 

Pacific Symphony’s discography comprises 15 recordings, mostly of 20th- and 21st-century music by such American composers as William Bolcom, John Corigliano and Richard Danielpour. In 2012 for Naxos, St.Clair and the orchestra recorded Philip Glass’s The Passion of Ramakrishna, a Pacific Symphony commission that appeared on the Carnegie Hall program. The Symphony has also recorded for Harmonia Mundi, Koch International Classics, Reference Recordings, and Sony Classical, among other labels. The Symphony has been recognized with multiple ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming and included among the country’s five most innovative orchestras by the League of American Orchestras. The Symphony’s education and community engagement activities have also been recognized by the League, as well as the National Endowment for the Arts.

About the Great Park of Irvine

The Great Park of Irvine stands as a beacon of community engagement and natural beauty in the heart of Southern California. With a master plan that will ultimately result in a park that spans over 1,300 acres, the park offers a multifaceted experience, seamlessly blending recreational spaces, cultural attractions, and environmental preservation. Visitors are greeted by stretches of meticulously maintained greenery, providing a serene backdrop for outdoor activities ranging from picnics and sports to leisurely strolls. The park's signature features, including the iconic Great Park Balloon and Carousel, offer thrilling aerial views and whimsical rides for all ages. Furthermore, the Great Park serves as a hub for artistic expression, hosting events and exhibitions that celebrate local talent and global culture. With its commitment to sustainability and accessibility, the Great Park of Irvine continues to enrich the lives of residents and visitors alike, embodying the spirit of community and harmony in Orange County.

About City of Hope

City of Hope's mission is to make hope a reality for all touched by cancer and diabetes. Founded in 1913, City of Hope has grown into one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the U.S. and one of the leading research centers for diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses. City of Hope research has been the basis for numerous breakthrough cancer medicines, as well as human synthetic insulin and monoclonal antibodies. With an independent, National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center at its core, City of Hope brings a uniquely integrated model to patients spanning cancer care, research and development, academics and training, and innovation initiatives. City of Hope’s growing national system includes its new cancer center in Orange County, California, and cancer treatment centers and outpatient facilities in the Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix areas. City of Hope’s affiliated group of organizations includes Translational Genomics Research Institute and AccessHopeTM. 

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