Concerts

Upcoming Events

Saturday | JUN 6

PRESS PLAY

SYMPHONY OF THE SCREEN

Ashtabula Arts Center
2928 W 13th St, Ashtabula, OH 44004

PRESS PLAY: Symphony of the Screen brings the worlds of film, video games, and anime to life in an epic evening of music performed by a full orchestra and choir. From sweeping cinematic scores to iconic themes that defined generations of gamers and moviegoers, this concert celebrates the power of storytelling through sound. Whether you’re a longtime fan of symphonic music or a lover of pop culture soundtracks, this performance invites you to press play and experience your favorite stories in a whole new way.

 

Program highlights include:

  • Beauty and the Beast
  • Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture
  • Final Fantasy VI
  • Final Fantasy X
  • Gladiator
  • How to Train Your Dragon
  • Kirby
  • Mission Impossible
  • Pirates of the Caribbean
  • Pocahontas
  • Spirited Away
  • Star Fox
  • Super Mario Galaxy 2
  • The Hunger Games
  • The Lion King
  • The Lord of the Rings
  • Up
  • Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Saturday | AUG 1

PRESS PLAY

SYMPHONY OF THE SCREEN

Cleveland Public Library
525 Superior Ave, Cleveland, OH 44114z

Get ready to experience your favorite stories like never before! The Press Play Orchestra & Choir invites you to a spectacular performance at the Cleveland Public Library on August 1st at 2:00 PM.

Symphony of the Screen is a high-energy tribute to the iconic music that defines our favorite media. From the sweeping orchestral scores of Hollywood blockbusters to the nostalgic 8-bit melodies of classic gaming and the emotional anthems of modern anime, this concert brings the magic of the screen to the grand stage.

Whether you’re a film buff, a dedicated gamer, or an anime fan, this is a musical journey you won’t want to miss. Admission is FREE to the public. So come early to secure your seat and prepare to Press Play!

Wed | OCT 14

PRESS PLAY

Symphony of the Screen

Akron Civic Theatre
182 S Main St, Akron, OH 44308

Experience the magic of the movies, the thrill of the game, and the heart of anime in a concert designed specifically for young listeners and their families! The Press Play Orchestra & Choir takes the stage at the historic Akron Civic Theatre for two high-energy performances that bridge the gap between the screen and the symphony.

From soaring superhero themes to the catchy melodies of your favorite video games, this interactive concert introduces students to the power of a full live orchestra and professional choir through the music they already love.

Saturday | MAY 2

SWORDS AND SORCERY

Fantasy Movies in Concert

Maltz Performing Arts Center
1855 Ansel Rd, Cleveland, OH 44106

Prepare to be swept away into realms of magic, myth, and adventure as the Cinematic Symphony Orchestra presents SWORDS AND SORCERY – Fantasy Movies in Concert. On Saturday, May 2, 2026, the Maltz Performing Arts Center transforms into a portal to fantastical worlds, where sweeping strings and soaring voices bring your favorite cinematic adventures to life.

Relive the heroic quests of The Lord of the Rings, journey through Hogwarts with Harry Potter, and explore the lush, otherworldly landscapes of Avatar. Soar with dragons in How to Train Your Dragon, experience the dark intrigue of Game of Thrones, and explore enchanted forests in Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away. Relive the swashbuckling excitement of Pirates of the Caribbean and Hook, and the magical odyssey of Willow—all rendered with breathtaking orchestral power and majestic choral harmonies.

This is more than a concert—it’s an immersive, cinematic experience. Every note, every crescendo, every haunting melody will be performed live by a 100-piece full symphonic orchestra, enveloping you in the unforgettable music that has defined generations of fantasy storytelling.

Swords will clash, magic will ignite, and dragons will soar in an unforgettable night of epic cinematic sound!

Press Play Orchestra Email List

Join the Press Play Orchestra email list to receive updates on all our exciting upcoming concerts and events!

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

Alanna Furst, M.M.

Alanna is a soprano and vocal teacher who is a lifelong resident of northeast Ohio.  She holds Master of Music degrees in Voice Performance and Choral Conducting, and has completed a significant amount of coursework in Music History and Music Education.  Over the last 15+ years, Alanna has done a little bit of everything as a musician — solo work, choral singing and conducting, college voice professor, new music, vocal chamber music, and ensemble administration.  

Alanna currently sings with the Video Game Symphony, Cinematic Symphony Orchestra, and Press Play Orchestra Choirs.  She is also proud to serve as the Choir Director for the Press Play Orchestra Choir.

Ashley Zendarski

Ashley Zendarski is a professional violinist who currently serves as the Press Play Orchestra concertmaster.  Classically trained with 20 years of experience, her performances offer a blend of technical excellence and heartfelt expression. Ashley currently performs with several different orchestras, including the PPO’s sister ensembles, the Video Game Symphony and Cinematic Symphony Orchestra. Ashley’s music has taken her overseas, performing with world-renowned artists such as Yundi Li, Alisa Weilerstein, Jason Alexander of Seinfeld, and more. She has performed at venues such as Severance Hall, Carnegie Hall in NYC, Beijing Performing Arts Center, Xinghai Concert Hall, and more.

Andrew Perkins, M.S.A.
Andrew began studying piano at the age of 6 and clarinet at age 8. As a clarinetist and bass clarinetist, he has performed with numerous classical groups across Northeast Ohio, including the Medina Symphony, Cuyahoga Falls Community Band, Parma Symphony, Symphony West, the Video Game Symphony, and the Cinematic Symphony Orchestra. Andrew founded the Serenity Chamber Players in 2017 to provide free classical and sacred music performances of rare and reimagined repertoire. The ensemble has had the opportunity to perform concerts across Ohio and in other states, including Maryland, West Virginia, and Michigan. Andrew also serves as the music and choir director for his church in Broadview Heights, Ohio.

Andrew received his B.S. in Accounting from the University of Akron, and holds a Masters Degree in Accounting from the University of Connecticut. He is an active Certified Public Accountant in the state of Ohio, and currently serves as the treasurer for his church. Andrew lives in Parma with his wife Hannah, and his three boys. In addition to his passion for music, Andrew is an avid fan of professional darts and rugby, as well as all Cleveland sports.
Andrew Keller, PH.D.

Andrew started the Press Play Orchestra with in September 2025, and has since served as the founding Music Director, as well as the CEO of the organization.

A lifelong musician, Andrew owes his entire professional career to film and video game music, as it was the iconic soundtrack to Titanic and other great soundtracks that inspired him to start learning piano, which eventually led to dreams of becoming a film composer. Before long, Andrew was writing deeply dramatic compositions that were clearly influenced by the memorable melodies, lush orchestration, and intense emotional imagery of film music and video game music.

Since then, Andrew has been privileged to serve as a Professor of Music at Kent State University, where he received his Doctor of Philosophy in Music Theory and Composition in 2019.

Andrew is now beyond thrilled to be bringing his passion and expertise to the Press Play Orchestra, in turn fulfilling a longtime childhood dream to help celebrate and advance these incredibly underappreciated artforms.

As the PPO Music Director, Andrew has created a host of exclusive arrangements for the Press Play Orchestra, including the “To the Stars”  suite from Titanic and “To Zanarkand” from Final Fantasy X.