Music of Studio Ghibli to open Butler symphony season
Butler County Symphony Orchestra administrators have a goal to introduce new music to people who may otherwise not encounter it, but its music selection can also get people interested in the symphony.
Ed DeSantis, executive director of the Butler County Symphony Orchestra Association, said the first concert of the 2026-27 season takes a twofold approach in generating intrigue. The concert will feature the music from the films of Japanese animation company Studio Ghibli, which, DeSantis said, was planned to get fans of the movies to come to the symphony.
Plus, the symphony intentionally plans a “pops” concert to kick off its seasons, to demonstrate the idea that attending isn’t just for the “high-brow,” but for any fans of music.
“The idea was to be able to introduce folks from the region to what this orchestra to offer,” DeSantis said. “For some people, we realize this might be their first Studio Ghibli experience. Bringing those audiences together is exactly what we refer to when we say ‘This is your symphony.’”
“The Music of Studio Ghibli” concert takes place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at the symphony’s home at Butler Intermediate High School, 551 Fairground Hill Road in Butler Township. DeSantis said Wednesday, Sept. 30, that there were plenty of tickets left.
DeSantis also said this concert is “100% programmed” by Moon Doh, the music director of the Butler symphony. He said the idea was to highlight a film score composer who is considered on the level of one like John Williams, who has written the music for Hollywood films for decades. The composer highlighted at this concert is Joe Hisaishi, who wrote the music for Studio Ghibli films including “My Neighbor Totoro,” Kiki’s Delivery Service” and “Spirited Away.”
And the music the symphony will play has been arranged specifically for symphonies to perform, DeSantis said.
“We wanted to be able to provide full symphonic works,” he said. “We are not the first orchestra to do this, there are professional arrangers who have done these themselves.”
In addition to the music, Doh will speak between each piece to discuss the movie they are about to hear and the themes conveyed through the music.
Presale tickets for the Oct. 3 show are $39 for adults and $20 for children and students; and at the door they are $45 for adults and $25 for children and students. To purchase presale tickets, visit butlersymphony.org or call 724-283-1402.
