Classic musical instruments meet the music featured in popular video games through the Baltimore Gamer Symphony Orchestra (BGSO). They usually perform live, but in December, they are going virtual.

BGSO will perform “Beyond the Screen,” an online watch party concert, on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 8 PM ET. During the winter virtual concert, they will play music from video games like Chrono Trigger, Persona 4, Sonic Adventure 2, Kingdom Hearts, and Pokémon.

It will feature small ensemble pieces with about an hour of music, as well as some commentary from their conductor, Tad Howley, and founder-executive director Kira Levitzky. Songs on the set list include “Heaven” from Persona 4, “Live and Learn” from Sonic Adventure 2, a medley from Chrono Trigger, a Stardew Valley medley, and the Grand Prix theme from ARMS.

BGSO, which includes former Gemstone Assistant Editor Carrie Wood, was about halfway through their spring season when coronavirus hit, and the shows were cancelled. During the summer they started brainstorming ways to continue playing together, which led to the idea of the virtual concert. They are working in small ensembles with the orchestra broken into the woodwinds, brass, and string sections with the addition of the rhythm section who is joined by saxophones. The choir is also working on a piece for the concert.

The concert will run live on the BGSO YouTube channel.