Waynesburg University’s Symphonic Band, led by Instructor of Music and Music Program Director, Eric Brewer, is doing something a little different this semester. Theband will be putting on their annual fall concert on Oct. 9, 2024, at 5:15 p.m. in Roberts Chapel. However, they are doing something they have never done before: “making the concert anime and video game themed.”

“The students love anime and video games,” Brewer said. “We wanted students to relate to what they are playing, as well as relate to the students on campus and the general public as well.”

Some of the songs featured are used in “Pokémon,” “My Neighbor Totoro,” “Undertale” and “World of Warcraft,” just to name a few.

“‘Pokémon’ is my absolute favorite,” senior criminal justice major, Mia Appleby said. “I think playing songs from ‘Undertale’ and ‘Pokémon’ will really be fun and will show off the talent that we have in the band.”

The Symphonic Band has always done classical music, but following feedback from the students, the band decided to shake things up and provide the audience with something exciting that they have never heard before from the band. 

“I think more students will enjoy this concert more than any other concert we’ve done, and it’ll be more relatable to students,” Appleby said.

This is also something the band students are seeming to pick up quickly.

“They love it,” Brewer said. “They are picking it up much faster than other songs they have done in the past.”

While the band is doing something new and different with this concert this semester, the band will be shifting to more classical pieces heading into the holiday season, with Brewer mentioning that they have not ruled out doing concerts like this again in the future.

“Yes but regarding the possibility of another specialty concert in the future, we are   not planning on doing another concert like this this semester, we might do another one during the middle of the semester in the spring,” Brewer said.