Back to Hogwarts: Syracuse Orchestra enchants the Landmark

On Friday, Nov. 7, wizards and muggles snaked around the South Salina Street corner on the dark, windy evening to Syracuse’s own Platform Nine and Three-Quarters — a gateway to the Landmark Theatre. 

Some softly hummed John Williams’ iconic “Hedwig’s Theme” as they waited to be whisked back to Hogwarts, eager to follow Harry and his friends to unveil the dark force beneath the school hall in their second year.

Performing the live score while the movie played on a giant screen, the Syracuse Orchestra brought John Williams’ sweeping, epic score to life, turning the Landmark Theatre into Harry’s wondrous world during Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in Concert.

The nearly three-hour show was more than a movie or a concert; it felt like Universal Resort’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter had been brought indoors, with everyone, on and off screen, having fun and adventuring together.

For Harry Potter fans, the concert was a perfect opportunity to extend Halloween celebrations for an extra week. 

House pride was on full display across all ages, with many draped in scarves, sweaters and even wizarding robes.

Photo by Zora Ma

The audience queued up outside the Landmark Theatre one hour before ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in Concert’ on Friday evening.

Lori Reichel, a SUNY Cortland professor, dressed as Professor Minerva McGonagall for the night. Reichel, who watches the entire movie series every fall, stood out with her full costume, featuring a dark green velvet robe, a black wizard hat and a red-and-yellow Gryffindor scarf.

“I wanted something that represented more of who I am because I am an educator and I like Professor McGonagall,” she said. “I think she has a good heart and she cares for her students.”

Right before the performance began, conductor Shih-Hung Young carried on tradition by calling out the names of the four Hogwarts houses, each greeted with waves of cheers from the audience.  

“Fantastic! I hope you continue to show your significant display of your House pride throughout the performance,” he said.

Moments later, the celesta’s enchanting melody swept the theater into the world of magic.

The live performance amplified the movie, enhancing its expressions, fluctuations and details, without overpowering the dialogue.

Young waved his baton like Dumbledore’s wand, precisely and powerfully controlling the dynamics. His energy heightened emotions, added color to the atmosphere, supported explosive moments and delivered subtle nuances to the well-known score.

It could make you scream when the basilisk burst out of the water, but it also shed a warm light on you whenever Fawkes, the phoenix, appeared to help. 

The orchestra would sometimes fade quietly, sneak back in and then suddenly startle the audience with a powerful note. It perfectly synchronized with the moment Dobby, the house elf, framed Harry for dropping the cake onto the Dursleys’ dinner guest.

The music seamlessly wove into the scenes to the point where you might forget it’s a live concert until you catch yourself unconsciously singing along with the airy and playful melody of “Nimbus 2000,” the flying theme.

Violinist Michael Hahn, a proud Ravenclaw, said he enjoyed returning to perform at the second Harry Potter concert in Syracuse. 

Though the score is technically demanding — particularly in the villain motifs and the Quidditch theme — he found this time easier than the first, as it shares many of the same themes.

“It’s like visiting an old friend where you’re familiar with some of it, and you get to learn some new things,” he said.