Game Music Festival

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We Bring to You

THE FIRST GAME MUSIC FESTIVAL

We love games and we love good music. Our team at gamemusic.pl has been combining these two passions for more than a decade by writing about the music of video games, releasing game music albums on vinyl, and… producing game music concerts. When we organize such performances, we want to take them to the next level. The quality of sound is what really matters to us. We use no electronic amplification thus perfect acoustics became our priority.

Having gathered years of experience, we finally grew up to create something bigger. A truly unique event. We invite you to beautiful city of Wroclaw in Poland to our first Game Music Festival.

Music from Heroes of Might and Magic series

The Symphony of Heroes is an elaborate work of art. After nearly two decades, the score brings to life the music form the second, third and fourth installment of Heroes of Might and Magic series in the form of brand new arrangements. Three symphonic suites will be performed live by the full NFM Wroclaw Philharmonic Orchestra, eighty musicians total.

Music from Grim Fandango

Exactly 20 years ago, Grim Fandango was released and changed the video game industry. The thrilling soundtrack from this game takes you into the world of New Orleans’ jazz right from its first bars. Rhythmic percussion, a steady jerk of double bass strings, some offensive piano accents, and wonderfully sounding woodwinds. A timeless classic! This performance will be a pure jazz feast. The best jazz-men of the Bartosz Pernal Big Band will take you back to twenties – with a twist.

Music from Ori and the Blind Forest

What would you say if you had to describe Ori and the Blind Forest using a single word? Beautiful. It’s just a delicate and sophisticated magic. This effect was achieved by developers not only thanks to top-notch graphical design. The soul of this game is its music. This extremely emotional score is the basis of our magnificent Symphony of the Forest. Join the musicians of the National Forum of Music. They will take you on a trip among the ancient trees.

Music from Diablo, World of Warcraft and Starcraft series

Consisting of three powerful suites, The Symphony of The Storm is a musical journey through three game series. The first suite will take you into the world of the Diablo franchise. The second suite is inspired by music from the World of Warcraft and its expansions. The third suite is based on the music from the StarCraft series. This monumental piece of art will be performed by the NFM Wroclaw Philharmonic Orchestra and NFM Choir, 120 musicians in total.

The Composers

MEET OUR SPECIAL GUESTS

Those great guys will deliver game music workshops with the same passsion that accompanied them during their own creative processes.

Peter McConnell

COMPOSER

An industry veteran and one of the key names of the legendary LucasArts. He wrote music for many games, including Grim Fandango, Monkey Island 2, Full Throttle, Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis, as well as Star Wars series. He kept the pace after departing from LucasArts, and delivered his outstanding works through titles produced by Double Fine. Recently, we had the opportunity to hear his soundtrack for Grim Fandango in a remastered version, and soon in the upcoming Psychonauts 2 OST.

Gareth Coker

COMPOSER

This young and very talented British composer received universal acclaim from players and critics alike upon the release of his soundtrack for Ori and the Blind Forest. The game itself is still being praised among the community, and the beautiful melodies have won Coker multiple awards for the best soundtrack. Currently, he is working on the music for the sequel, Ori and the Will of the Wisps.

Neal Acree

COMPOSER

This award-winning composer created soundtracks for multiple films and TV series however he is best known among gamers as one of the composer’s of the music for Blizzard Entertainment’s flagship franchise – World of Warcraft. He also participated in scoring other well-known titles like StarCraft II, Diablo III, and Overwatch.

Janek Sanejko

COMPOSER/ORCHESTRATOR

Aruto Matsumoto

ORCHESTRATOR

Mikolaj Stroinski

COMPOSER

Borislav Slavov

COMPOSER/MUSIC DIRECTOR

Arkadiusz Reikowski

COMPOSER

Manny Calavera

Blackrock Clan Orc

Bartosz Pernal

TROMBONIST, COMPOSER, ARRANGER

Robert Kurdybacha

COMPOSER, ORCHESTRATOR

Naru & Ori

Diablo - Lord of Destruction

Shota Nakama

VIDEO GAME ORCHESTRA CEO

Adam Klocek

CONDUCTOR

Archangel

Tychus Findlay

Gorka Oteiza

JOURNALIST, FOUNDER OF SOUNDTRACKFEST

What You can Learn

EDUCATIONAL PATH

The Masterclass workshops conducted by composers who are special guests of the Game Music Festival 2018 are a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes of professional game audio industry.

They also represent a great chance to improve your own competencies in sound production, music composition, career planning, and professional development in the art of composing music for video games.

For many composers who will be delivering speeches at our Masterclass sessions, this will be the first visit in Poland, making this an amazing experience for anyone interested in having profound knowledge of the industry.

What You can Expect

FESTIVAL AREAS

Music you know and love – played live in a brand new format. But that’s not all: workshops, special guests, meetings, prelections, contests, and more. Check out what we’ve prepared for you.

MUSIC FROM GAMES YOU LOVE

Four main performances. Two full orchestra concerts, one intimate, and one big band jazz performance.

Workshops & Prelections

Well known individuals will provide professional workshops and live Q&A sessions to expand your horizons.

WORLD CLASS COMPOSERS

Some of them will be with us on the stage, ready to meet you in person onsite. Others will support us remotely.

COMMUNITY OF GAMING FANS

There is place for 5000+ guests on the premises of our splendid National Forum of Music hall and foyer.

FESTIVAL STANDS AND SHOP

In the shop you’ll find albums with your favourite tracks, as well as other game music related artifacts.

HIGH END AUDIO STANDPOINTS

Hi-fi equipment delivered by Nautilus will be there so that you can appreciate the music or get some discounts.

CONTESTS PRIZES AND EXTRAS

There will be contests, there will be extras, there will be giveaways – revealed gradually as THE DAY approaches.

COFFEE AND SNACK BAR

Prepare yourself for spending with us at least a couple of hours. Hungry? Our snack bar is there for you.

An awesome community

WHO SHOULD ATTEND THE FESTIVAL?

Check out who will be there, and what groups the festival will attract.

Console and PC gamers, enthusiasts of the video game industry

Connoisseurs of the contemporary culture and arts, fans of classical and film music

Artists and creators specializing in illustrative music, film and game soundtracks

Members of communities interested in new technologies and e-sports

Representatives of companies making video games, game music and sound effects

Patrons and sponsors of modern arts, representatives of concert halls and philharmonics

2 days filled with concerts, workshops, prelections, and other events

4 full scale performances including symphonic concerts with choir, and a big band concert

12 events total including panel discussions, community meetings, and many more

270 musicians taking part in all concerts including orchestras, soloists, choir, jazzmen, and conductors

5000+ expected festival and workshops attendees

The Venue

National Forum of Music

The quality of sound and overall artistic value are what really matters for us. Because of that, such a unique festival must take place in a unique venue. Behold the National Forum of Music in Wroclaw – one of the best philharmonic halls in Europe.

THE ACOUSTICS

The acoustics of the NFM is absolutely tremendous. It was designed by Tateo Nakajima, responsible for the Philharmonic Hall in Lucerne, Esplanade in Singapore, Harpa in Reykjavík, La Maison Symphonique in Montreal, Knight Concert Hall in Florida.

THE QUALITY

In the main hall, there are 1800 seats, and in every spot the music can be heard perfectly without the need of amplification.

THE INSTITUTION

NFM is not just a building – it is an institution. We work with outstanding NFM musicians, its managers, orchestra, and choir. Thanks to that we are certain that the performance will be marvelous.

The Schedule

Day 1 - 26 Oct 2018

Prelection

26.10.2018
12:00 - 13:30/

Prelection with Shota Nakama

The Symphony of Heroes

Concert

26.10.2018
15:00 - 17:00/

Three symphonic suites will be performed live by the full NFM Wroclaw Philharmonic Orchestra, eighty musicians total.

Prelection

26.10.2018
18:00 - 19:15/

Prelection with Borislav Slavov.

The Jazz of Grim Fandango

Concert

26.10.2018
20:00 - 22:00/

The best jazz-men of the Bartosz Pernal Big Band will take you back to twenties – with a twist.

Day 2 - 27 Oct 2018

Masterclass

27.10.2018
9:00 - 11:30/

Masterclass with Gareth Coker

Masterclass

27.10.2018
12:00 - 14:30/

Masterclass with Neal Acree

Symphony of the Forest

Concert

27.10.2018
15:00 - 16:30/

Join the musicians of the National Forum of Music. They will take you on a trip among the ancient trees.

Prelection

27.10.2018
18:00 - 18:30/

Prelection with Peter McConnell

Panel

27.10.2018
18:30 - 19:20/

Panel – Gareth Coker, Neal Acree, Peter McConnell, Arkadiusz Reikowski, Mikołaj Stroiński, Shota Nakama

Symphony of the Storm

Concert

27.10.2018
20:00 - 22:30/

This monumental piece of art will be performed by the NFM Wroclaw Philharmonic Orchestra and NFM Choir, 120 musicians in total.

Testimonials

WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT US

The gaming industry, the music producers and the fans have some good memories with our projects.

What's Happening?

INTERESTING NEWS

Collection of latest news from our media streams. Be with us and we promise some magical things to happen.

Video Collection

VIDEO GAME MUSIC 2017

In 2017, we organized the very first big symphonic concert with the music of Heroes of Might & Magic performed live by a full orchestra. The Symphony of Heroes was a huge success, the positive feedback was overwhelming. Whether you missed it last year, or would like to experience the music by Paul Anthony Romero arranged in three suites once again – the Heroes are back to Wroclaw in 2018!