Auburn Symphony Orchestra: The Music of Studio Ghibli

This concert will not have Joe Hisaishi in attendance nor show any of the films.

A girl takes flight on a broomstick. A forest spirit waits beneath the trees. A young girl wanders into a bathhouse for gods. A castle lumbers across the hills on impossible legs.

For generations of fans, Studio Ghibli has created animated films that feel both fantastical and deeply human. Founded in Japan and closely associated with filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, the studio has become one of the most beloved names in animation, with stories known for wonder, adventure, environmental beauty, and characters who find courage in unfamiliar worlds.

At the heart of many of those films is the music of Joe Hisaishi. His scores do more than accompany the action. They give these worlds their breath, motion, and emotional pull. Like John Williams’ long partnership with Steven Spielberg, Hisaishi’s music has helped shape the identity of the films themselves.

Led by Music Director Wesley Schulz, Auburn Symphony celebrates the music of Kiki’s Delivery Service, My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, and Howl’s Moving Castle in a concert filled with soaring melodies, playful characters, sweeping orchestral color, and moments of quiet beauty. Fans will recognize the themes they love. New listeners will hear why this music has reached far beyond the screen.

The Music of Studio Ghibli is a concert for families, anime fans, film lovers, and anyone ready for an evening of adventure, nostalgia, and imagination.