Symphony orchestra to perform “Squid Game”-inspired concert Feb. 27

The SUNY Geneseo symphony orchestra will perform a concert inspired by the music and themes of the hit Netflix K-drama “Squid Game.” The performance will take place on Feb. 27 at 3 p.m. in the Wadsworth Auditorium.  

Leah McGray, Director of Instrumental Studies at Geneseo and conductor of the symphony orchestra, said she was struck by the use of music in the show and chose pieces for the symphony that were used in the soundtrack.  

“They were choosing to juxtapose really well-known classical pieces of beauty and grace over this scene of suspense, horror and drama. I was just really struck by how well it worked to add to that imagery, so the pieces that I've chosen are pieces that are used in the series,” McGray said.  

McGray said that this juxtaposition was very fun for her and the students in the orchestra to explore and that they are excited to perform on Sunday.  

She said, “The idea of that desperation, the idea of horror and absolutely beautiful music contrasting is just so much fun. It's so delicious to dig into and I think it's really interesting to be able to create a modern connection through media, with something that directly relates to the media that people are consuming today.” 

“I think the students are just as excited as me. This is the type of activity you don't really do unless you absolutely love doing it, because it's the type of thing that requires a little bit of personal investment to be able to perform really well,” McGray said. “So, I try to choose music that that is both a challenge to them and is accessible to them so that we have musical challenges, but we're not necessarily sitting in practice rooms for hours and hours. So, when we finally get together and perform things on stage, it becomes a really, really invigorating experience, especially after all the trials that we had through COVID and the shutdowns.” 

McGray said she is thankful that live performances can begin again as COVID restrictions begin to loosen this semester. 

“That's something we really value: our community and our ability to come together and create something in real time with other people in the room. That's just an amazing experience and it's something that I think we all truly appreciate,” she said.

McGray advertised that the symphony orchestra is open to accepting students who are not music majors and welcomes any student who wants to play. 

“We are open to increase in our membership. Students of any major are allowed to come and perform with us. We have a lot of opportunities [for students to play music], and I would encourage anyone who is interested to come reach out to somebody in the music department,” she said.  

For students that want to play in a more casual setting, the music department also offers credit-bearing music lessons and hosts performing musical groups that both students and faculty can join.

“You can come get credit bearing lessons at the Music Department in just about every instrument,” McGray said. “Usually, you have some sort of meeting with a professor for them to be able to determine your background, where to start and that type of thing before they give you permission to register for the course. This is the perfect time of year to be doing that if you want to take lessons next semester.”

“We also have a number of groups on campus,” McGray continued. “We have clarinet choir, we have flute choir [and] a lot of instrumental combinations of things like the low brass ensemble. We have jazz band and we have string band, which are very specific types of music but are open to students that have all kinds of different experiences. Some of these groups are actually gigging around and doing jobs in the community, so it's also a great extension of school becoming somewhat lucrative for students,” McGray said.  

The music department is also advertising a performance by the Geneseo wind ensemble on Mar. 4 in the Wadsworth Auditorium and encourages students to attend.