Film Favorites Bonus Features

Rather than asking you to keep your phones turned off and out of sight, the Civic Symphony is testing something new. We prepared a few interactive activities where you can use your device to participate and learn more about the music. We hope this "bonus content" will increase your understanding and enjoyment of tonight's concert.

Don’t forget to silence your cell phones and refrain from texting, audio/video recording, or flash photography during the performance.

Please stand by...your host Steve Wilda will let you know when we're ready for you on set!

Click for PDF version of tonight's program book

PREVIEWS

While you're waiting for the show to begin, check out the "previews" (i.e., posters) of movies featured tonight. Later, maybe you'll notice how the stage side lights change color to match each movie poster while the orchestra is playing!

West Side Story poster The Godfather poster Mission: Impossible poster
Star Wars poster La La Land poster E.T. poster
Band of Brothers poster Harry Potter poster Frozen poster

FIRST HALF

COLD OPEN
Overture to "West Side Story"

A cold open is the practice of jumping directly into a story at the beginning of the show before the title sequence or opening credits are shown. It is a narrative technique used in television and film, and we're trying it here tonight!

"West Side Story," which debuted in 1957, was conceived as a contemporary retelling of Romeo and Juliet. Bernstein's score reflects a variety of genres, from opera to jazz. Interestingly, the overture was not in the original score, but later arranged for orchestra by Maurice Peress. The overture conveys a thematic overview of the show—but rather than a cheery curtain raiser, the solemn music foreshadows the tragedy to come.

GO TO TOP

PROGRAM NOTES
The Godfather: A Symphonic Portrait

Learn more about the music and the movie by following along with our real-time program notes. Start the video below when our conductor Seong-Kyung Graham begins the piece. Go full screen to make it a little easier to read on your device. (Alternatively, you can view the notes as a PDF, but you'll need to turn the pages yourself.)

Click for PDF version of The Godfather Program Notes
GO TO TOP

ORIGIN STORY
Mission: Impossible Theme

Okay, we know you might be reading ahead, so here are a couple quick tidbits about the origins of the Mission: Impossible Theme.

The music was written by Argentine composer Lalo Schifrin and was used as the theme song for the television series "Mission: Impossible" (1966-1973). The music has also been featured the 1988 television series, the ongoing film series with Tom Cruise, and the video games.

Schifrin's working title for the tune was "Burning Fuse." The theme is written in a 5/4 time signature, which Schifrin jokingly explained as being for people who have five legs. Schifrin started from the Morse code for M.I.  _ _ ..  So if a dot is one beat and a dash is one and a half beats, this gives each measure a total of five beats, exactly matching the underlying rhythm!

Now...sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!

GO TO TOP

TRIVIA
John Williams

Start this section when the orchestra plays Star Wars Medley. Test your knowledge about the composer and learn a few interesting facts along the way. If your first guess is incorrect, choose another answer until you find the right one. May the force be with you!

2023 Trivia - February John Williams

CORRECT! Williams actually composed a calypso-flavored theme for “Gilligan’s Island,” but it never made it to air. He did write music for a number of the episodes. The composer called himself Johnny Williams at the time.

INCORRECT. The theme from "The Dick Van Dyke Show" was written by Earle Hagen and first released by Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra in 1963. Try again.

INCORRECT. Sorry, we really hope the "Hogan's Heroes" drum and pipe flute earworm doesn't get stuck in your head all night! Please try again.

INCORRECT. Keep movin,' movin,' movin'... (In other words, guess again.)

INCORRECT. You must be in a fugue state. (Get it? Bach wrote a lot of fugues...ha ha! You get it.) Please try again.

INCORRECT. C'est la vie! (That's life!) Guess again.

INCORRECT. Take this enchanted feather from Stravinsky's "The Firebird" and give it another attempt. 

CORRECT! Richard Wagner's four-opera "Ring" cycle inspired many film composers, including John Williams.

INCORRECT. Try again. Try again. Try again.

INCORRECT. Please try again!

"The sound of the orchestra is one of the most magnificent musical sounds that has ever existed." -Chick Corea

CORRECT! The leitmotif is a recurring musical theme for a character, but can also used as a musical signature to identify certain situations. Think of Princess Leia's Theme and The Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme) from "Star Wars," Hedwig's Theme from "Harry Potter," and even the simple two-note Sharkmotif from "Jaws."

INCORRECT. Sorry! Guess again.

"The baton itself must be a living thing, charged with a kind of electricity, which makes it an instrument of meaning in its tiniest movement." -Leonard Bernstein

INCORRECT. Play it (again) Sam.

INCORRECT. Nyet! Try again.

CORRECT! After the concert, search for "Kings Row and Star Wars" on YouTube to hear some striking similarities. TwoSetViolin has a good comparison video called "Film Music that Copied Classical Music."

INCORRECT. You're not quite ready for your close-up. Guess again!

CORRECT! It’s the famous Flying Theme. Remember Elliott and E.T. in silhouette biking across the backdrop of a moon? Listen closely when the orchestra plays Selections from E.T. during the second half of tonight's concert.

INCORRECT. Life finds a way. Keep guessing.

INCORRECT. It's not the years, it's the miles! Try again.

INCORRECT. There's a superhero in all of us. Please try again!

INCORRECT. Please try again!

Agnus Dei [Ag·​nus Dei ˌäg-ˌnu̇s-ˈdā(-ˌē)]
a liturgical prayer addressed to Christ as Savior; "Lamb of God."

CORRECT! Dies Irae [Di·​es Irae ˌdē-(ˌ)ās-ˈē-ˌrā] (literally "day of wrath") is the Latin chant for the dead sung at Catholic services. The text has been set by many composers including Mozart, Verdi, and Stravinsky. The four-note melody is often used in tense or scary scenes, either to accentuate the occurring drama or foreshadow darkness ahead. The Dies Irae can be heard in many movies such as "The Shining," "The Lion King," "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," and "Frozen 2."

INCORRECT. Guess again!

Kyrie [ky·​rie ˈkir-ē-ˌā]
a short liturgical prayer that begins with or consists of the words "Lord, have mercy."

INCORRECT. Try again!

Requiem [re·​qui·​em ˈre-kwē-əm]
a mass for the dead, a musical setting of the mass for the dead.

INCORRECT. That's a bit too low. Try again!

CORRECT! John Williams wrote the scores for nine Star Wars movies!! The music for "Rogue One" was composed by Michael Giacchino, and "Solo" was composed by John Powell.

INCORRECT. Give it another guess.

INCORRECT. Whoa, whoa, whoa, Han. That's way too many!

INCORRECT. "Attack of the Clones" was released in 2002. Guess again!

INCORRECT. "Revenge of the Sith" was released in 2005. Give it another shot!

CORRECT! Williams said that "Rise of Skywalker" would end his 42-year run with the Star Wars franchise. That film was released in 2019.

INCORRECT. "The Force Awakens" was released in 2015. Try again!

INTERMISSION

Take five, everyone!

Let's all go to the lobby! Let's all go to the lobby! (Remember that old tune?)

Get up. Stretch. Use the facilities. See if there's any popcorn left. Grab a photo at the selfie station. Don't forget to check out the movie-themed raffle baskets and buy tickets for a chance to win. Don't put all your tickets into one basket...or do!

Musicians of the orchestra generously donated all the items in tonight's baskets. Proceeds will be used to offer tickets for low-income families to attend our April concert at no cost.

The Civic Symphony of Green Bay will be back after this short break (approximately 15 minutes).

GO TO TOP

EXTRAS: Behind the Scenes

Back to your seat early? Swipe through a few photos from our rehearsals preparing for today's concerts. Some of us are photogenic.

GO TO TOP

EXTRAS: Deleted Scenes

You may notice we're only playing two of the four movements from the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Suite. The concert was timing out a little long, and as much as we love playing for you, we only have the Walter Theatre rented until 11:00 tonight!

Movement I: "Hedwig's Theme" - This was the first music written for the movie and was used in the original trailer. It became an important leitmotif (remember that term from earlier?) and can be heard in every single movie in the series. John Williams referred to this theme as a “darkly alluring orchestral waltz.” You'll hear snippets of it in Movement IV.

Movement II: "The Sorcerer's Stone" - This slow music is characterized by a simple three note motif, but the composer extends it further creating a repeating and continually growing melodic row of three, four, and five notes. The dark music exudes fateful mystery and foreboding.

SECOND HALF

CAMEO APPEARANCE
Music from "La La Land"

Enjoy this special "cameo" from the Civic Symphony of Green Bay's newly-formed cello ensemble, led by principal cellist Adam Korber. This is their first concert, and they're looking for a name! After they finish playing, vote for your favorite option.

Click to vote
What's your favorite name for our cello ensemble?

VOTE
GO TO TOP

MUSICIAN POV CAMERA
Selections from E.T.

Ever wonder what the musicians are looking at on stage? (Other than their music, of course!) Enjoy this POV (point-of-view) camera angle of Seong conducting Selections from E.T. You'll get to see how she directs the orchestra, not just with her baton and beat patterns, but also with the emotions on her face. We're gonna call this camera our "second unit." Note: there may be a slight delay in the video feed. After all, it does have to go to space and back!

GO TO TOP

DEDICATION
Band of Brothers Suite

We ask that you put down your electronic device and take a moment to honor the memory of all the lives lost in war.

"We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies." -Moina Michael, 1915

GO TO TOP

TRIVIA
Harry Potter

Answer these trivia questions while the orchestra plays the "Nimbus 2000" section of Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone Suite. See what you remember from the films! Like earlier, if your first guess is incorrect, choose another answer until you find the right one. May the odds be ever in your favor! (oops, wrong movie)

2023 Trivia - February Harry Potter

INCORRECT. The Elder Wand is capable of incredible magic! In fact, as seen at the end of the seventh Book (although not in the movie), it is even capable of defying the otherwise universal rules of magic. Please try again.

INCORRECT. The Sorcerer's Stone is able to delay death for whomever uses it. Neat trick. Guess again!

INCORRECT. The Cloak of Invisibility is capable of shielding anyone (including one's friends) from harm for any given amount of time. Try again.

CORRECT! The Nimbus 2000 was a broomstick produced by the Nimbus Racing Broom Company as part of their successful line of racing brooms. At the time of its release in 1991, it was the fastest broomstick in production, easily outperforming its competitors on the Quidditch pitch. It was eventually replaced as the top broomstick by the Nimbus 2001.

CORRECT! The celesta (French for “heavenly”) is keyboard instrument which looks somewhat like a piano. It was invented in 1886 by Victor Mustel. Although the celesta actually belongs to the family of percussion instruments, it is usually played by a pianist.

INCORRECT. Ding dong. Try again.

INCORRECT. Do you know the difference between the glockenspiel and the xylophone? The xylophone has wooden bars, and the glockenspiel has metal bars. Both are the wrong answer for this question, however, so try again!

INCORRECT. Hint: the correct answer is one of the percussion instruments. Yeah, that's not much of a clue. Try again anyway!

INCORRECT. The clarinet is quite enchanting, but it's not the right answer for this question! Please try again.

CORRECT! A bit of a trick question. In the book, Quirrell and the trio of Harry, Ron, and Hermione use different musical instruments to put Fluffy to sleep: a harp and a flute.

INCORRECT. It might not be very practical to carry a piano around! Try again.

INCORRECT. This isn't the right answer, but did you know...the Messiah violin by Antonio Stradivarius is among the most expensive violins in the world with an estimated value of $20 million. Wow!

INCORRECT. Aragog is an Acromantula, a rare giant spider whose venom is very useful in potions. No singing, just poison. Try again!

INCORRECT. Buckbeak was a hippogriff who lived with Rubeus Hagrid during Harry Potter's third year at Hogwarts. The hippogriff is said to be born of a griffin and a mare, with the head, wings, and claws of an eagle along with the hindquarters of a horse. Sounds complicated. Try again!

CORRECT! Fawkes (Dumbledore's phoenix) becomes a symbol of Harry and Dumbledore's shared loyalty.

INCORRECT. Hedwig was Harry Potter's pet snowy owl. Since mail is delivered by owls in the wizarding world, she plays a valuable role in Harry's life. Guess again.

INCORRECT. Not this time! Try again.

INCORRECT. Some of the soundtracks composed by Howard Shore include The Silence of the Lambs, The Fly, and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Please try again!

INCORRECT. You can hear Horner's music in Titanic, Apollo 13, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, and many other movies! Guess again.

CORRECT! Four different composers lent their talents to the Harry Potter soundtracks – John Williams (the first three films), Patrick Doyle (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire), Nicholas Hooper (Order of the Phoenix and The Half Blood Prince) and Alexandre Desplat (Deathly Hallows Part 1 and Part 2).

GO TO TOP

PROGRAM NOTES
"Harry's Wondrous World"

Start the video below when our conductor Seong begins the "Harry's Wondrous World" section of Harry Potter. Go full screen to make it a little easier to read on your device. (Alternatively, you can view the notes as a PDF, but you'll need to turn the pages yourself.)

Click for PDF version of the Harry Potter Program Notes
GO TO TOP

END CREDITS
Music from "Frozen"

If you have children, you already know the words. Feel free to sing along!

DO YOU WANT TO BUILD A SNOWMAN?
Do you wanna build a snowman?
Come on let’s go and play
I never see you anymore
Come out the door
It's like you've gone away

We used to be best buddies
And now we're not
I wish you would tell me why!
Do you wanna build a snowman?
It doesn't have to be a snowman
(Go away, Anna)
Okay, bye

LET IT GO
Let it go, let it go
Can't hold it back anymore
Let it go, let it go
Turn away and slam the door
I don't care what they're going to say
Let the storm rage on
The cold never bothered me anyway

Let it go, let it go
I am one with the wind and sky
Let it go, let it go
You'll never see me cry
Here I stand and here I stay
Let the storm rage on…

SPECIAL THANKS

Thank you for participating in our little experiment. We hope you learned something new and enjoyed the experience. Let us know what you liked (or didn't) in our concert survey, and send us your thoughts and ideas for future concerts. Visit gbcivic.org/survey or scan the QR code in your program.

If there happens to be any popcorn left in the lobby, please feel free to take some home to enjoy tomorrow! Thank you for coming to our concert tonight. We hope to see you again the afternoon of Sunday, April 16 for Coming to America featuring Ellis Island: The Dream of America. Tickets on sale now.

Stay in touch with the Civic Symphony of Green Bay by signing up for our email newsletter and following us on social media.

GO TO TOP

CAST & CREW

Seong-Kyung Graham
Timberly Kazmarek Marbes
Steve Wilda
Taylor Giorgio
Mindy Popke
Franklin Beyer
Jennifer Coopman
Rachel Richards
Chris Williams
Blakeley Menghini
Rose Van Himbergen
Shahnnon Hawkins
Adam Korber
Lynn Liddle-Drewiske
Greg Sauve
Dan Marbes
Theresa Pelkey
Paul Oleksy
Chicken or the Egg Photography
Schroeder's Flowers
CSGB at Lambeau Field
DIRECTOR
FILM FAVORITES "DIRECTOR"
SEONG-KYUNG GRAHAM

Seong has been CSGB's conductor and artistic director since 2005. She leads almost every aspect of the orchestra exactly like the hard-working director on a movie set.

PRODUCER
FILM FAVORITES "PRODUCER"
TIMBERLY KAZMAREK MARBES

Timberly became our interim executive director in January, in addition to already being music librarian and principal clarinetist. She also wrote and produced these "Bonus Features."

NARRATOR
FILM FAVORITES "NARRATOR"
STEVE WILDA

Steve is our "Don LaFontaine" of movie trailer voice-over fame. As our host, his smooth dulcet tones will guide you through this evening's program. He plays some tuba notes, too!

LEAD ACTRESS
FILM FAVORITES "LEAD ACTRESS"
TAYLOR GIORGIO

Taylor joined CSGB this season as concertmaster, heading our dedicated string section. You'll hear her in a starring role playing many beautiful violin solos in tonight's performance.

ART DIRECTOR
FILM FAVORITES "ART DIRECTOR"
MINDY POPKE

Mindy has been CSGB's talented graphic designer for several years. She is also our percussion leader, where you'll usually see her playing the timpani or "kettledrums."

SFX COORDINATOR
FILM FAVORITES "SFX COORDINATOR"
FRANKLIN BEYER

Franklin joined the Civic Symphony of Green Bay in the fall of 2022. Tonight, he creates all sorts of "special effects" using the electric keyboard or Clavinova.

ACTRESS
FILM FAVORITES "ACTRESS"
JENNIFER COOPMAN

Jennifer is the principal second violinist of the Civic Symphony of Green Bay. As leader of her strong section of violin players, she is an important member of the cast.

STUNT PERFORMER
FILM FAVORITES "STUNT PERFORMER"
RACHEL RICHARDS

Rachel is the principal bassoonist for the Civic Symphony of Green Bay. Playing the bassoon involves a lot of thumb coordination, hence the "stunt performer" nickname.

SET MEDIC
FILM FAVORITES "SET MEDIC"
CHRIS WILLIAMS

Chris plays first violin in CSGB and also serves on our board. In real life, he actually is a doctor! You can see him perform in the annual "Doctors in Recital" program at the Weidner.

ACTRESS
FILM FAVORITES "ACTRESS"
BLAKELEY MENGHINI

Blakeley is another vital part of our ensemble cast. She is the principal violist of the Civic Symphony of Green Bay and runs her section like a well-oiled machine.

FUNDRAISER
FILM FAVORITES "FUNDRAISER"
ROSE VAN HIMBERGEN

Rose serves on CSGB's board and chairs our fundraising committee. Tonight's basket raffle was her idea! She also plays flute and piccolo in the orchestra.

ANIMAL WRANGLER
FILM FAVORITES "ANIMAL WRANGLER"
SHAHNNON HAWKINS

Shahnnon plays oboe and is on CSGB's board. Her day job involves working at a local pet sanctuary, so we think "animal wrangler" seems rather appropriate.

ACTOR
FILM FAVORITES "ACTOR"
ADAM KORBER

Adam is the principal cellist of the Civic Symphony of Green Bay. You'll see him starring in another portion of tonight's program when he brings his cello ensemble to the stage.

TRAINER
FILM FAVORITES "TRAINER"
LYNN LIDDLE-DREWISKE

Lynn serves on CSGB's board and chairs our education committee, planning our Music for Young Listeners Concert and Pansky Concerto Competition. She is also our principal flutist.

LOCATION SCOUT
FILM FAVORITES "LOCATION SCOUT"
GREG SAUVE

Greg helps coordinate rehearsal space at Ashwaubenon High School. He also plays trumpet in the orchestra, and he conducted a couple pieces in our "Gridiron Gala" at Lambeau Field.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
FILM FAVORITES "EXECUTIVE PRODUCER"
DAN MARBES

Dan has been the Civic Symphony's board president since 2020, controlling the purse strings just like the executive producer for a movie.
(We also let him play the trumpet.)

1ST ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
FILM FAVORITES "1ST ASSISTANT DIRECTOR"
THERESA PELKEY

Theresa serves on CSGB's board as vice president, or second in command just like a movie's 1st assistant director. She also regularly plays horn in the orchestra.

2ND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
FILM FAVORITES "2ND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR"
PAUL OLEKSY

Paul currently serves on CSGB's board of directors as our secretary. He's also been a longtime member of our horn section and occasionally plays percussion.

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
FILM FAVORITES "DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY"
CHRIS RUGOWSKI

Chris from Chicken or the Egg Photography captured some long-overdue pictures of the orchestra at our "Gridiron Gala with the Symphony" at Lambeau Field in November.

GREENSPEOPLE
FILM FAVORITES "GREENSPEOPLE"
SCHROEDER'S FLOWERS

Schroeder's Flowers has been family owned and operated for over 100 years. They generously donated the plants used to decorate the front of our stage tonight.

EXTRAS
FILM FAVORITES "EXTRAS"
ORCHESTRA PERSONNEL

Every single musician in the orchestra has an important role in tonight's production. Learn more about our volunteer members.

MEET OUR MEMBERS >
previous arrow
next arrow