Alum-Led Orchestra Plays Video Game Hits

CHS graduate Joshua McHugh ‘08 is debuting his community orchestra, the Greater Philadelphia Gamer Symphony Orchestra, with the show “New Game.” Featuring the themes from classic video games like “The Legend of Zelda,” “Kirby,” and “Final Fantasy,” the show is on Monday, November 17 at 8 p.m. at Or Hadash (190 Camp Hill Rd, Fort Washington, PA). Tickets are free ($5 suggested donation) and available online.

Why video game music?

“It’s an underappreciated art,” said McHugh, who grew up as a PC gamer, and called “Undertale” his favorite game because of the balance of gameplay, story, and music.  “Most people I’ve mentioned this to go ‘Video game music? You mean, like Mario?’ I want to bring this art form closer to the forefront of people’s mind. I’ve always loved the music of video games, and how it compliments both story and gameplay. Much like with movie soundtracks, oftentimes the soundscape that accompanies a cutscene, a puzzle, a challenge or race, completes the work as a whole.” 

Drawing his inspiration from a music and gaming convention he attended where a community orchestra was formed, McHugh, who went to Temple University and earned his Bachelor’s of Music degree in music education, decided he “wanted something like this in the Philly Metro area." Serving as one of two musical directors/conductors and a singer in the choir, McHugh oversees about 45 active musicians in the orchestra, and a few non-performer members who support operations.