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The Final Frontier, Live

The music of Star Trek graces the stage of PPAC with a live orchestra

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Full disclosure: I didn't know liking Star Trek wasn't cool until my early 20s. Call it blissful ignorance, call it what you will, but SciFi has always held a special place in my heart.

When I was 13-years-old, the only thing I wanted for Christmas was a book called The Physics of Star Trek. I really wanted to know how inertial dampeners worked. I may not understand it to this day, but I am constantly fascinated by the working scientific theories used throughout the various shows.

What speaks to me the most about Star Trek is the sense of humanity inherent in the writing and acting, the idealistic view of the future wherein humankind has unified and is peaceful, and the notion that there is life beyond Earth that is intelligent, whether it be peaceful or dangerous. Each episode carries a larger message that pertains to current day societal issues – taboo interspecies relationships (interracial relationships), dying worlds from overmining (natural resource management) or the prime directive (whether or not to interfere with the natural progression of a community, think third world countries).

More than the content of each episode was the score that accompanied it. Each episode had its own unique music, created specifically to enhance each dramatic moment. Lucky for us, the music of Star Trek is coming to PPAC with a live orchestra, so get ready to geek out. It features numerous composers who have written scores for Star Trek: The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, Enterprise and the new movies. 

For me I love the challenge of figuring out how to score music that expresses the essence of the dramatic nature of mankind exploring the far reaches of space and the far reaches of the human condition,” says Ron Jones, an Emmy-Winning television composer who has written scores and themes for Star Trek: The Next Generation. “What an interesting adventure expressing those emotions. Very few TV series come close to those things. Star Trek demands so much of the music, the audience expects something that dazzles – music of the highest order each time. I enjoy that a lot.”

The ability to have a symphony orchestra of incredible musicians to record my music every week was the complete fulfillment of my dreams,” says Jay Chattaway, a composer for film and television who composed several of the Star Trek television series including The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager and Enterprise. I believe that Gene Roddenberry's vision for the future was so hopefully accurate. And the fact that the franchise believed in the power of symphonic musical scoring certainly contributed to the longevity of Star Trek.”

If Star Trek holds a special place in your heart, then The Ultimate Voyage Concert Tour is a must see. It’s sure to evoke images of a world where mankind is at peace and space is truly the final frontier. Star Trek, The Ultimate Voyage Concert. 7pm. 220 Weybosset Street, Providence. 421-2787

star trek, orchestra, show, live, providence performing arts center, ppac, tickets, the next generation, jay chattaway, Ron Jones

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