Interactive Academy Award winner, Stetson alumnus will debut new music
If you have ever played any of the God of War series of video games – or heard or watched others playing them – then you are familiar with Gerard Marino’s most famous musical work. Marino won an Interactive Academy Award for Best Score for the music in the first game in that series, as well as the Game Audio Network Guild’s Music of the Year Award.
The Stetson University alumnus moved to Los Angeles in 1999 seeking a career in writing music for movies, but six years later the Los Angeles Philharmonic was performing his music to a sold-out crowd at the Hollywood Bowl. The National Symphony Orchestra has performed Marino’s music at the Kennedy Center. In fact, orchestras on six continents have played the orchestral suite of God of War themes. And now, it’s Stetson’s turn.
For the performance at Stetson University, Marino arranged some of his video game and film scores for seven string musicians in the Stetson Chamber Orchestra. “Some of them have never been played by an orchestra before. Every single one of these is debuting for the first time here,” he said. The list of Marino’s credits for his music includes multiple video games, motion pictures, television, advertising and interactive.
Also, he will debut a personal project that has been in the works for a couple of months – mixing electronic dance music with video game music in a mash-up, a recording that digitally combines and synchronizes music from different songs.
“This will be the first time I play it in public, first time I’ve even let anyone know I’m doing it,” said Marino, who plays the keyboard, sings and knows a little guitar and ethnic flutes.
“We’re bringing the actual rock ‘n roll and the orchestra together, and doing it live,” he said. “It’s a first time for all of this. I’m totally excited and jazzed to do it but I also have enough nervousness that I could really just crash and burn on this,” he said with a laugh.
Marino’s performance is for the Stetson School of Music’s Sounds New concert series, which showcases new music and artists. The event is Friday, Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m., in Lee Chapel in Elizabeth Hall, 421 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand, Fla., 32723.
About Stetson University
Founded in 1883, Stetson University is the oldest private university in Central Florida, providing a transforming education in the liberal arts tradition. Stetson stresses academic excellence and community-engaged learning, and consistently earns high marks in national rankings. Stetson encourages its students to go beyond success to significance in their lives, the lives of others and their communities. Stay connected with Stetson on social media.
