Whimsical Journeys: The Music of Studio Ghibli

The Queer Big Apple Corps presents:

WHIMSICAL JOURNEYS

The Music of Studio Ghibli

Henco Espag, Director, QBAC Symphonic Band

Royden Ringer, Assistant Conductor

Mystical. Playful. Mesmerizing. Serene. Dangerous. Majestic. Nostalgic. These words are often used to describe the film scores of Studio Ghibli.

New York City’s own Queer Big Apple Corps (the new name of the Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps) returns to Symphony Space with a charming and fantastical concert celebrating composer Joe Hisaishi’s film scores for Studio Ghibli that masterfully blur the lines between music and storytelling. Featuring music from Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, My Neighbor Totoro, Castle in the Sky, Princess Mononoke and more, this concert captures the innocent wonder and unharnessed feeling of flight that have enchanted movie and music lovers for decades.

This event is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

ABOUT US

The Queer Big Apple Corps is the new name of the Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps. Since its formation in 1979, the band has represented the entire LGBTQIA+ community and brought “The Sound of Love & Joy” to audiences across the United States and Canada.

The Queer Big Apple Corps Symphonic Band has played Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher and Alice Tully halls, and made its Carnegie Hall debut in 2009, the band’s 30th anniversary year. Over four decades, the band has shared the stage with such luminaries as Harvey Fierstein, Rita Moreno, Liz Calloway, Arthur Laurents, and Liz Smith. Not only has the band performed with the famous, it has performed for the famous: Kathy Najimy, Tony Shalhoub, Annette Bening, and Sutton Foster. A founding member of the Pride Bands Alliance (PBA), the Queer Big Apple Corps also performed with the PBA massed band in both Inaugural Parades for Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.

Chosen to perform in the 2022 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Queer Big Apple Corps Marching Band has received countless coveted “best band” awards in parades large and small from coast to coast. The band has been seen by millions of people around the world in the 2020 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day broadcast, two Ticker Tape parades, in Pride Night half-time shows for the Brooklyn Nets and NY Knicks and on the field for the NY Mets, and in 15-20 parades and street performances each year.

With more than 250 musicians, color guard, and band aides, the Queer Big Apple Corps proudly celebrates its 44th anniversary this fall, and plans on lifting the hearts of audiences in concert halls and on parade routes for decades to come.