The Las Vegas Philharmonic is bringing film and video game scores to Reynolds Hall and Resorts World Theatre this fall, with performances featuring Studio Ghibli, Star Wars and more under new music director Rei Hotoda
Las Vegas is betting on film music to draw new crowds to its concert halls. The Las Vegas Philharmonic, now led by music director Rei Hotoda, is rolling out a slate of performances this fall that put movie and video game scores center stage—starting with a full orchestral tribute to Studio Ghibli at The Smith Center.
Instead of opening her tenure with a Beethoven or Brahms marathon, Hotoda is conducting “Studio Ghibli — In Concert” on August 24 and 25 at Reynolds Hall. The program features the sweeping, emotional scores of Joe Hisaishi from “Spirited Away,” “My Neighbor Totoro,” “Kiki’s Delivery Service,” “Princess Mononoke” and “Howl’s Moving Castle.” Tickets start at $46, with the Philharmonic aiming to attract both longtime symphony fans and a new generation raised on anime and gaming soundtracks.
Film Scores Take Over Las Vegas Stages
This season’s programming marks a deliberate shift. According to Philharmonic executive director Alice Sauro, the orchestra began experimenting with movie-themed concerts during the pandemic to make symphonic music more accessible. The results have been clear: audiences are showing up for Bugs Bunny, John Williams, and now, the full “Star Wars” trilogy in concert. The Philharmonic will perform “Star Wars: A New Hope” live with the film on April 2–3, launching a three-year cycle that will bring the original trilogy to Reynolds Hall.
Las Vegas isn’t alone in this trend. The Henderson Symphony Orchestra is staging “Up” with Michael Giacchino’s Oscar-winning score on September 25 at Water Street Plaza—free to the public. Meanwhile, Resorts World Theatre will host “World of Warcraft: 20 Years of Music” on September 19, “Sonic Live in Concert” on October 1, and “Danny Elfman’s Music From the Films of Tim Burton” on November 13–14, with the Philharmonic backing Elfman himself. Tickets for these events range from $40.30 to $79.53, depending on the show and venue.
Las Vegas Musicians Adapt to New Demands
Behind the scenes, the Philharmonic’s roster is built for versatility. Sauro points out that Las Vegas musicians are accustomed to jumping between jazz gigs on the Strip, Broadway-style productions, and Cirque du Soleil shows. That flexibility allows the Philharmonic to field multiple orchestras for overlapping events and to tackle genres from hip-hop to video game soundtracks. In 2024 and 2025, Philharmonic musicians even performed with Nas at Encore Theater for his “Illmatic” shows, underscoring the city’s genre-blending approach.
For Hotoda, who was selected as music director a year ahead of schedule after Donato Cabrera’s departure, the goal is to balance tradition with innovation. The Philharmonic’s fall lineup still includes Beethoven (October 22), Handel’s Messiah (November 21), Brahms (January 16), and Rachmaninoff (February 13), but the emphasis on film and game music signals a broader strategy to keep the orchestra relevant in a city defined by entertainment turnover.
What’s on the Fall Concert Calendar
Las Vegas audiences can expect a packed schedule of movie and game concerts this fall:
- “Studio Ghibli — In Concert”: August 24 at 7:30 p.m. and August 25 at 2 p.m., Reynolds Hall, The Smith Center. Tickets from $46.
- “World of Warcraft: 20 Years of Music”: September 19 at 8 p.m., Resorts World Theatre. Tickets from $69.18.
- “Up”: September 25 at 7 p.m. (activities at 6 p.m.), Water Street Plaza, Henderson. Free admission.
- “Ghostbusters in Concert”: September 26 at 7:30 p.m., Reynolds Hall. Tickets from $40.30.
- “Sonic Live in Concert”: October 1 at 8 p.m., Resorts World Theatre. Tickets from $69.18.
- “Jim Henson’s ‘Labyrinth’: In Concert”: October 25 at 6:30 p.m., The Pearl at the Palms. Tickets from $43.92.
- “Danny Elfman’s Music From the Films of Tim Burton”: November 13–14 at 8 p.m., Resorts World Theatre. Tickets from $79.53.
- “Hook in Concert”: November 14 at 7:30 p.m., Reynolds Hall. Tickets from $56.40.
For those tracking the city’s entertainment calendar, these events join a growing list of pop culture-driven concerts and residencies, including the Backstreet Boys’ Sphere appearance reported earlier by Vegas Report.
Editorial Perspective
Las Vegas Philharmonic’s pivot to film and game music is more than a marketing move—it’s a calculated response to the city’s relentless demand for fresh entertainment. By programming “Studio Ghibli — In Concert” and live “Star Wars” scores alongside classical staples, the Philharmonic is refusing to let orchestral music become a museum piece. Instead, it’s leveraging the city’s unique talent pool and entertainment infrastructure to stay relevant, attract new audiences, and prove that symphonic music can thrive in the shadow of the Strip’s neon. This is not nostalgia—it’s survival, and for Las Vegas, it’s a smart bet.
