Ghostbusters Live Orchestra Performance at the Hult Center

The beloved 1984 film Ghostbusters received a special treatment at the Hult Center stage on September 20, as fans gathered for Ghostbusters in Concert. This unique event featured a live 13-person orchestra performing the original Ghostbusters soundtrack alongside a screening of the film, creating an immersive concert experience for audiences.

Authentic Arrangement by Peter Bernstein

The concert showcased an arrangement of Elmer Bernstein’s original score, crafted by his son Peter Bernstein specifically for the ghostbusters concert series. According to John Kinsner, CEO of Black Ink Presents, Peter Bernstein’s close collaboration with his father on the original soundtrack made him the perfect choice to arrange the live score. Kinsner noted, "It gives it that authenticity. We didn’t go to somebody else to chop up Elmer’s work."

Enhancing the Film with Live Music and Lights

With orchestral textures and vibrant brass, the live performance balanced the film’s comedic timing with its supernatural undertones. Synthesizer elements in the score especially contributed to the suspenseful and eerie atmosphere during scenes when the Ghostbusters were tracking down ghosts. The production’s color-changing light show added dramatic emphasis to climactic moments, making scenes even more captivating for viewers.

Memorable Moments and Audience Interaction

One stand-out moment from the concert was the Ghostbusters’ iconic battle with the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. As the on-screen heroes made the risky decision to cross their Neutrona Wands’ streams, the orchestra’s surge and synchronized flashing orange lights heightened the excitement of the supernatural explosion atop the Shandor Building.

Audience engagement went beyond typical film screenings. Fans laughed, cheered, booed, and even sang along, especially when prompted to join in on Ray Parker Jr.'s celebrated ghostbusters theme song before the movie began under conductor Danielle Jagelski’s direction. Although the theme song was not performed live at the film’s start, the orchestra delivered a vibrant rendition at the end, featuring Valerio Apuzzo’s impressive trumpet solo synchronized with Parker Jr.'s recorded vocals.

Concert Tour and Appeal to Fans

Ghostbusters in Concert is part of a 35-city tour facilitated by Black Ink Presents and Schirmer Theatrical, offering fans across the country a distinctive way to experience the ghostbusters film screening. John Kinsner describes the experience as bringing "a little bit of Rocky Horror Picture Show into every single one of these things we do," emphasizing the interactive and communal spirit of these events. He highlighted that watching Ghostbusters with live orchestration and an enthusiastic audience offers a fresh perspective on a film that’s nearly 45 years old.

Black Ink Presents, founded in 2017, has also produced live orchestra screenings for other films such as Labyrinth, Hook, and La La Land, continuing the tradition of pairing live music with cinema—a homage to the silent film era’s live scoring.

How to Attend Ghostbusters in Concert

The ghostbusters tour continues until October 31. Fans eager to experience the ghostbusters live performance can visit GhostbustersinConcert.com for ticket details and more information.

Source: eugeneweekly.com.