Dallas Symphony extending invitation to Trekkies it will surely regret

by Teresa Gubbins

DALLAS — The Dallas Symphony booking poodle-like saxophonist Kenny G might simply be viewed as a lapse in judgment. Its repeated engagements of former Entertainment Tonight host John Tesh? An act of kindness, nothing more.

But the Symphony's latest excursion into cheesy pop culture calls for an intervention: On June 5 and 6, the Dallas Symphony will perform a program called "The Music of Star Trek."

Read these words from the Symphony's Web site and feel your blood turn cold:

Calling all Trekkies! For two nights, the Meyerson is transformed into the "final fronteir" and you can experience the music of Star Trek like never before as The Dallas Symphony performs soaring themes from this science fiction favorite, under the baton of Erich Kunzel and narrated by special guest John DeLancie as 'Q.'

OK, stop right there. Here's where you can immediately see that the Symphony is dipping its toe into murky water: It is so out of its realm that it can't correctly spell "final frontier". But it gets worse:

Arrive early and enjoy the lobby entertainment. Costumes welcome!

Costumes welcome!

The Meyerson Symphony Center is hosting a Trekkie convention.

The weekend stand represents the first time that Star Trek music will be performed by a live orchestra with narration. What sent the Symphony on this downward spiral: The success of its "Star Wars -- The Live Concert" event last February. This story does a nice job of looking at the booking without guile, even mentioning some pieces, including the opening theme of Voyager, the "Klingon Battle" theme, and the opening music from Star Trek: The Motion Picture, all composed by Jerry Goldsmith.

For tickets and information, go here.

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Montgomery Sutton, says:

I've never been to a Star Trek convention, but I would be at this event for sure if I was free either night. All of the Star Trek franchises, except maybe for Enterprise, have some incredible music (the themes from Deep Space Nine and Voyager where much better than either show ever turned out to be, IMO). I think it's nice to see the DSO continuing to expand their potential audience base, and celebrating a truly diverse base of orchestral music.

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2 years, 6 months ago
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Teresa Gubbins, says:

despite my sarcasm, i don't mind the music of jerry goldsmith; and i agree that it's a good thing for the DSO to go beyond mahler & mozart. on the other hand, i've been to a number of the more populist nights (including john tesh), and it feels funny. i'll be curious to see if anyone actually does show up in a costume

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Mike Orren, says:

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kirk, says:

When I scanned your lede, Ms. Gubbins, I first thought that Kenny G was going to be playing "The Music of Star Trek." Had that indeed been the case, I would have concluded that the Apocalypse was nigh. Fortunately, I re-read it before slashing my wrists.

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2 years, 6 months ago
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gshelton, says:

I live just down the road from the Myerson but go to Bass Hall most of the time... I am not a hard core classical music person i prefer this kind of stuff. I wish Dallas would do more of this kind of thing... though not John Tesh... More Pink Martini please.