PEISO performance and costume contest to celebrate Star Wars Day

April 14, 2025 – The PEI Symphony Orchestra (PEISO), in collaboration with Confederation Centre of the Arts, will transport audiences to a galaxy far, far away at May the Fourth Be With You: The Music of Star Wars – a special concert where patrons are invited to dress in costume to celebrate John Williams’ iconic Star Wars score.

Under the baton of PEISO Music Director Jaelem Bhate, the orchestra will bring to life the beloved themes of “The Imperial March”, “Across the Stars”, “Battle of the Heroes”, “Duel of the Fates”, “Princess Leia’s Theme”, and more. In recognition of the role that classical music played to inspire John Williams in his composition of these seminal soundtracks, the PEISO will perform excerpts of parallel classical works, including pieces by Tchaikovsky, Strauss, and Stravinsky.

“This concert is pure fun and musical brilliance rolled into one,” says Bhate. “The music of Star Wars and John Williams is a masterclass in orchestral storytelling, and pairing it with the classical works that inspired them offers a fresh way to experience this music. Whether you’re in costume or just coming to enjoy the performance, this is a celebration of music, fandom, and creativity that everyone can be part of.”

Patrons are encouraged to dress in Star Wars-inspired costumes for the concert, with prizes to be given out after intermission for the best looks. Costumes should be family-friendly, not include weapons like blasters or guns (lightsabers are welcome), and not block the view of other patrons. Full details of the costume contest can be found at confederationcentre.com.

“This additional concert to PEISO’s regular season is a great inclusion to the program and a fun way for Islanders to connect with orchestral music,” says Darcy Campbell, director of LIVE @ the Centre. “Whether you’re a fan of the Star Wars franchise, a faithful subscriber of the PEISO, or a newcomer to orchestral music, you will love hearing this iconic music played live.”

May the Fourth Be With You: The Music of Star Wars takes place on Sunday, May 4 at 3 p.m. at the Centre’s Sobey Family Theatre. Tickets can be purchased at the Centre’s box office, online at confederationcentre.com, or via phone at 1-800-565-0278. This concert is not paired with any official movie clips. Presented with support from the ACCELERANDO Classical Music Performance Fund.

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Media Contacts:
Emily McMahon, Communications Manager, Confederation Centre of the Arts
[email protected] | 902-628-6135

Laura Ono, PEI Symphony Orchestra
[email protected] | 902-892-4333