Celebrating J. Aaron Hardwick: A Champion of Video Game Music and Symphony
Celebrating J. Aaron Hardwick: A Champion of Video Game Music and Symphony
Our Dash City Gaming friend and advisor, J. Aaron Hardwick, continues to make waves in the world of music and gaming! As Orchestra Director and Assistant Teaching Professor of Music, he will lead the Münchner Rundfunkorchester (Munich Radio Orchestra) in a groundbreaking concert, Let’s Play, dedicated to video game music on Wednesday, Feb. 12.
Broadcast live via the Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR) network, this concert highlights the evolving landscape of classical music and the growing recognition of video game scores as a powerful and influential art form.
“It’s an honor to work with such a distinguished ensemble,” Hardwick shared. “Alongside these incredible musicians, I am excited to present a concert that will engage video game music fans and all audiences.”
Bridging Gaming and Symphony
Hardwick has been a vocal advocate for video game music’s impact on modern symphonies. His article, “How video games like Starfield are creating a new generation of classical music fans”, published in The Conversation, gained worldwide recognition. He has also been featured in:
🎵 FM Symphony Orchestra levels up with a concert inspired by Legend of Zelda (InForum)
🎵 What’s driving diverse audiences to symphonic music? Video games (Wake Forest News)
The Power of Video Game Music
Gaming continues to captivate audiences of all ages, representing an $85 billion industry in the U.S. (as of 2022) and projected to reach $533 billion globally by 2027. Hardwick’s research underscores how video game music is forging new pathways in symphonic performance, composition, and audience engagement.
“As a conductor, musician, and educator, I’m excited about games like Starfield because they’re drawing people to symphonic music like never before.” – J. Aaron Hardwick
Upcoming Event: We Play Together: Music & Gaming
Wake Forest University, in collaboration with the University Symphony Orchestra, will host We Play Together: Music & Gaming from April 16-19—an event further bridging the worlds of video games and classical music.
We’re proud to celebrate J. Aaron Hardwick’s success and his role in shaping the future of symphonic music through gaming! 🎮🎼
