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J. Aaron Hardwick

@aarock

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Conductor, musician, husband, and father who loves all things music & video games || Conductor @wfusymphony

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Jetzt streamen: Die Orchestersuite zum Game „Perennial Order“ von @juliancrowhurst mit Dirigent @aarock - 🔗 Link in Bio

📹 Das ganze Konzertvideo „Let‘s play!“ gibt’s in der ARD Mediathek und auf unserer Website.
📸 BR-KLASSIK Label, @juliaknoblauch
🎮 @perennialorder

#ost #videogame #perennialorder #orchestra by @aarock

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a year ago

The article is making its rounds again thanks to @inonzurofficial!

I’m so thankful for the VGM community, incredible artists, and music behind it. I appreciate all the reads, shares, and love from people around the world who enjoy VGM and its impact on classical music!

Here’s the full article, enjoy:

https://theconversation.com/how-video-games-like-starfield-are-creating-a-new-generation-of-classical-music-fans-211016 by @aarock

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3 years ago

A Season Ahead 🎶

As the 2026–27 season gets underway, I'm grateful to have some extraordinary music and collaborations ahead.

🇩🇪 Returning to the Munich Radio Orchestra to conduct Game On (December 4, 2026)

🇺🇸 Returning to the Winston-Salem Symphony as cover conductor for four of the orchestra's six Classical Series concerts (2026-2027 Season)

🎮 Curating and conducting Next Level: Video Game Music in Concert with the Winston-Salem Symphony on May 8, 2027 (This will be huge - stay tuned for the program and special guests! - Get your tickets NOW!)

🌎 Conducting Dvořák's Symphony No. 9, "From the New World" with the Wake Forest University Symphony (October 23, 2026)

Different orchestras. Different audiences. Different repertoire.

But the same thing keeps me coming back to the podium: great music, great musicians, and the opportunity to tell meaningful stories through music.

I'm incredibly grateful to the organizations and musicians who continue to place their trust in me.

There's a lot of music ahead. I can't wait to get started. Hope to See You There.

@PriceAttractions | @MusicConductingBaton

#Conducting #OrchestralMusic #ClassicalMusic #VideoGameMusic #MusicDiscovery by @aarock

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a month ago

A pretty special full-circle moment.

Shenandoah Conservatory recently asked me to share some thoughts on the new Shenandoah Center for the Arts—and I was honored to discover they also chose to feature me as an alumnus.

I spent countless hours conducting in Armstrong Hall as a student, graduate conducting assistant, and adjunct faculty member. We often dreamed about what it would mean for Shenandoah students to have a truly exceptional performance space.

Now, that dream is becoming reality.

I’ve conducted in many wonderful halls throughout my career, but it’s especially meaningful to know that future Shenandoah students will begin their own journeys in a space designed to inspire excellence from the very first rehearsal.

Proud to be a Shenandoah alumnus. 🎶

#shenandoahconservatory #shenandoahuniversity #CenterForTheArts by @aarock

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2 months ago

🇩🇪 Back to Munich.

I'm honored to share that I will return to conduct the Munich Radio Orchestra (@rundfunkorchester) for Game On Symphony on 12.4.2026. 🎮 🎵

As conductors, we often talk about debut performances. But return invitations carry a special meaning. They represent trust, artistic collaboration, and a shared belief in what can be created together.

Our last collaboration was one of the most rewarding musical experiences of my career, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to work once again with these extraordinary musicians.

As someone passionate about both orchestral music and video game music, it's exciting to see this repertoire continue to connect audiences across cultures, generations, and backgrounds.

I can't wait to return to Germany and begin the next chapter of this collaboration.

More soon.

(@priceattractions | @musicconductingbaton )

#MunichRadioOrchestra #Munich #VideoGameMusic #GameMusic #Conducting #ClassicalMusic #Germany by @aarock

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4 months ago

May the 4th.

Some of the most formative music I ever heard growing up — and still some of the most powerful writing for orchestra.

#MayThe4thBeWithYou #StarWars #JohnWilliams #FilmMusic #OrchestralMusic #Conducting by @aarock

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5 months ago

🎮 WAIT… this is actually happening…NO JOKE!

I’m bringing Next Level: Video Game Music in Concert to the @wssymphony 2026–2027 season!

🗓 May 8, 2027
📍 Winston-Salem

You’ve heard this music before… just not like this.

Live orchestra.
Massive sound.
An experience that hits different.
Some of the greatest video game soundtracks!
Full program reveal coming soon 👀

🎮 Tag the friend who’d lose their mind at this
🎧 OR the one who says “game music isn’t real music”

Level Up Winston Salem!

#NextLevelConcert #VideoGameMusic #WSSymphony #WinstonSalem #GameMusicLive #SymphonyOrchestra #LiveMusicExperience by @aarock

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7 months ago

Few pieces hit like this!

Holst’s Mars — raw energy, relentless rhythm, and one of the most powerful openings in orchestral music.

This is just one moment from a program I’m looking forward to conducting with the Winston-Salem Symphony on March 28 at 3 PM!

Featuring music by Mozart, Saint-Saëns, Strauss, Johann Strauss Jr., Holst, and Jasil Olabode, alongside performances by the outstanding winners of the Peter Perret Youth Talent Search.

A program that brings together iconic repertoire, emerging artists, and a full community of musicians on one stage.

Looking forward to sharing this with you.

https://www.wssymphony.org/event/concert-for-community/

#ClassicalMusic
#Orchestra
#Conducting
#Holst
#ThePlanets
OrchestralMusic
LiveMusic
WinstonSalem by @aarock

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7 months ago

🎉 Concert Announcement! 📣

I’m honored to share that I will conduct the Winston-Salem Symphony on March 28 for their annual Concert for Community.

This program features the full orchestra alongside the exceptional musicians of the WSS Youth Symphony and the distinguished winners of the Peter Perret Youth Talent Search.

Bringing emerging artists into performance with a professional orchestra is one of the most meaningful ways we sustain and advance the art form.

The Winston-Salem Symphony is extraordinary orchestra and partner. I'm looking forward to what will be incredible concert!

I look forward to sharing more about the repertoire and artists in the coming weeks.

Get your tickets now!

https://www.wssymphony.org/event/concert-for-community-2/

#WinstonSalemSymphony #ConcertForCommunity #YouthSymphony #PeterPerretYouthSearch #OrchestralMusic #MusicEducation #CommunityMusic

Price Attractions by @aarock

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7 months ago

📣 Conducting Announcement! 📣

I’m pleased to announce that I will conduct the @wssymphony on March 28 for their annual Concert for Community.

This performance brings together the full orchestra, the outstanding musicians of the WSS Youth Symphony, and the winners of the Peter Perret Youth Talent Search — a meaningful collaboration between emerging and professional artists.

The Winston-Salem Symphony continues to demonstrate a deep commitment to artistic excellence and education, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to that work.

I look forward to an inspiring afternoon of orchestral music and to working alongside such dedicated young musicians and distinguished colleagues.

More to come.

#WinstonSalemSymphony #OrchestralMusic #Conducting #ClassicalMusic #ArtsLeadership #MusicEducation by @aarock

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7 months ago

I’m thrilled to share that the Perennial Order Suite — which I had the honor of conducting and recording with the Munich Radio Orchestra — has now been released on Naxos! 🎻🎮

Naxos is one of the world’s leading classical music labels, home to an unprecedented catalogue of repertoire and a name synonymous with artistic excellence and discovery in the classical music world.

This release represents something truly meaningful to me: seeing video game music stand proudly alongside standard and contemporary repertoire on a label with such history and impact. It’s a major step forward for orchestral game music as part of the broader classical conversation — and I’m honored to contribute. 🌍✨🕹️

🎧 Listen and explore the release here: https://www.naxos.com/CatalogueDetail/?id=900402

Shout out to @juliancrowhurst @gardenfiendgames @rundfunkorchester 🙌🔥

@priceattractions

#Naxos #ClassicalMusic #OrchestralGameMusic #GameMusic #PerennialOrder #ConductorLife #MunichRadioOrchestra #NewRelease #Soundtrack by @aarock

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8 months ago

🎙️ Join me live tomorrow on the radio!

I’ll be appearing on The Colin McEnroe Show (on @ctpublic) for a live conversation exploring the question:

👉 What is classical music today?

We’ll be talking about orchestral music, video game music, and how these worlds are inspiring new generations of musicians and listeners. 🎶🎮

🗓 Thursday 2/5 ⏰ 1:00–2:00 PM ET
🎧 Catch my segment around 1:45 PM ET

If you’re curious about where classical music is headed — this one’s for you.

✨ Follow me here for more conversations, projects, and upcoming media appearances.

Link to listen in bio.

#ClassicalMusic #VideoGameMusic #MusicEducation #ConductorsOfInstagram #NewMusic by @aarock

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8 months ago