Anime — a style of animation and production that looks into Asian culture — had an overlooked component put on full display by the UT San Antonio University Band: its music. From the action-packed “Attack on Titan” to the homely soul of “Spirited Away,” the band’s vitality honored childhood classics and keystone anime. The band’s methodological play followed the unravelling story projected onto the screen above the band, magnifying the emotion and momentum building — even if no words were spoken.
The University Band performed “Anime Music,” celebrating the art and music-driven storytelling of anime. The band played medley songs from staple anime, such as Studio Ghibli’s “Princess Mononoke,” “KPop Demon Hunters” and the surprise “Pokémon” theme song.
Before beginning their masterfully curated selection, the band erupted in a disjointed and asymmetrical burst of sound, warming up their instruments. The first piece from “Attack on Titan” began with the iconic cry of a choir, followed by the band’s melodic intensity, reflecting the fierce expressions and chaos ensuing on the big screen.
The dynamic mixture between the band’s careful instrumentation of each piece and their ability to accurately portray the anime’s feelings and characterization highlighted the performance, giving each song its own distinctive identity. For instance, the crescendos and light thumps of the tuba mimicked the Studio Ghibli anime “March Medley.”
The band continues encapsulating emotion along the unravelling plot of the anime. In Ghibli’s “Princess Mononoke,” the song begins with a tune riddled with caution and warmth, warning the audience to stay vigilant. The anime progresses into characters standing on the plateau, while looking at the beautiful, vegetated hills under the shimmering and gleaming sky. In this moment, the melody switches tone from cautionary to rosy. The band’s melodic rhythm captures the anime’s emotive atmosphere: a gust of optimism, the sweet warmth of the sun in the cold of winter.
The band’s versatility is illuminated during “Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters” and the theme song from the cyberpunk and neo-noir series “Cowboy Bebop.” For the cowboy anime, the band’s excitement shone through, playing with intensifying power and a loose manner that encircled jazz, reminiscent of the show’s dark animation. The fast pace and individual solos created a thrilling spectacle. The alto, tenor and baritone saxophone solo, along with the trombone, gave the audience a pleasant surprise.
French horn E’Marion Fowler shared some of the quintessential aspects of the performance.
“Be aware of the way music plays into how we interact with media, like movies and shows, and the way that it contributes to the story,” Fowler expressed about the function of music. “Be aware of how the music guides you through certain emotions.”
The child-like melody of “Spirited Away” reflected Fowler’s statement about how music can amplify or color certain scenes with emotion.
The performance put music at the forefront of anime, helping audiences truly grasp how emotion is more than just about voice acting and animation; it is also about the music that helps create it.
