The Butler County Symphony Orchestra performed the music of John Williams, which focused on his movie scores from films such as “Jurassic Park,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” and “Star Wars” Saturday night at Butler Intermediate High School Patrons were treated to characters from “Star Wars.”

BUTLER TWP — Welcome to a “galaxy far, far away” might have been the greeting at the Butler County Symphony Orchestra concert Saturday night at the Butler Intermediate High School auditorium.

“At the Movies with the Music of John Williams” proved to be an overwhelming success for the sold out crowd.

That this would not be a staid concert of high-brow music was apparent immediately upon entering the school as storm troopers, and imperial guards mingled with wide-eyed Earthlings. Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Boba Fett, Wedge and other denizens of that other galaxy posed for photographs with delighted fans throughout the lobby.

Even the ominous Darth Vader put aside his ultimate-evil persona to allow awe-struck humans to get a picture with him. It was almost impossible to thread through the crowd without stepping on a Jawa, compliments of the 501st Legion Garrison Carida.

Williams is acknowledged as the king of movie soundtracks but his mastery of a wide array of musical styles was undeniable in the challenging program that spanned everything from the old west to progressive jazz to the realms of outer space.

Guest conductor Charles Latshaw skillfully led the orchestra through the vast array of musical styles and tempos, capably filling in for Maestro Matthew Kraemer. His flashes of self-deprecating humor made his introductions almost as entertaining as the works themselves.

The trumpets of the “Superman” March,” heralded the concert with appropriate power, the music then segued into the wonderment of Lois Lane’s theme and ended with excitement, setting the tone for the rest of the evening.

Less commonly heard, the “Cowboys Overture” was Williams’ effort to write music “as virtuosic as the horseback riding in the movie.” He was entirely successful.

With galloping rhythms and the light-heartedness of youth, Williams’ score beautifully painted sonic images of the old west.

In a switch of styles, the orchestra transitioned to the majestic “Theme from Jurassic Park.” It opened with quiet, almost hesitant sounds that grew through the sparkling percussion to neck-craning grandeur.

“Born on the 4th of July” was another change of musical direction for the orchestra, opening with a bittersweet trumpet solo played by Timothy Winfield and echoed by concert master Tanya Satteson in an equally sensitive melody. The muted drums in the background hinted at the military story of the film but never resorted to an outright march.

“Catch Me If You Can” allowed saxophone virtuoso Jeff Kroner to strut his stuff in yet another genre of Williams’ mastery: progressive jazz. Fronting the orchestra, Kroner dazzled as the music swung from frenetic to fanciful and the string section got to augment the percussion section by vocal chuffs and finger clicking to emphasize the syncopated beat.

The “Indiana Jones March” from “Raiders of the Lost Ark” is indelible in the minds of movie goers. The orchestra handled tempo changes as smoothly as Indy might handle a precious artifact.

Another memorable theme is the music from “ET, the Extra Terrestrial.” From the trilling of the woodwinds to the flight of the strings, all the wonder of the unlikely friendship between alien and human was encompassed in the ultimately joyful work.

The mystical notes of the celesta brought sighs of recognition as the “Harry Potter Suite” was played. The swirling melody lines engendered all the magic of a visit to Hogwarts School and more.

“Far and Away” gave Williams a chance to showcase lilting Irish jigs in perky themes and sassy rhythms. It provided another opportunity for Satteson to show off as she played a fiddle line worthy of a St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

The “Theme from Schindler’s List” was diametrically opposite with heartbreaking tonality and gentle tempo. The woodwinds introduced the initial theme and the violins answered with solemnity. The concluding solo was exquisite.

As the “Imperial March” from “Star Wars” began, all the movie characters entered down the side aisles, much to the amusement of the audience. Then the imperial guard decorously entered with a ladder and positioned it in front of the stage to allow Darth Vader to usurp conducting duties from Maestro Latshaw, who ran for his life. Vader’s light saber swooshed in red arcs as he did a plausible job leading the orchestra.

“Yoda’s Theme” and the “Star Wars” title theme were the fitting conclusion to an evening filled with all the charm, magic and versatility of music created by an amazing composer and played with verve by a talented orchestra.