One of the most recognizable pieces of orchestral music comes from the unlikely world of pop culture. Going on its fourth decade since its release, the theme from “Star Wars” still grabs the attention of musicians, both young and old.

For this year’s spring concert theme, the Youth Orchestra of Lewiston-Auburn YOLA will perform a selection of pieces from iconic movies over the decades that include “Star Wars.” The concert is at 7 p.m. Monday, April 29 at the Auburn Public Library and is free to the public.

“The idea has really been a year in the making,” said YOLA conductor Linda Vaillancourt. “It came up last spring from the players, and “Star Wars” along with “Pirates of the Caribbean” came up repeatedly. They kept telling me, ‘we’ve got to play this.’ “

Vaillancourt completely understood the request. She remembers being in fourth grade when the strings teacher at her school came to demonstrate instruments. The teacher played the theme from “Star Wars,” and Vaillancourt was hooked.

“Often students play musical instruments because they’re dying to play a particular piece,” said Vaillancourt. “And it’s so much more exciting to play that piece with a group.”

Vaillancourt brought in an ambitious arrangement of “John Williams Trilogy” that includes music from the movies “Star Wars,” “Jurassic Park,” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” As a composer, Williams often receives credit for reviving orchestral music and reintroducing it to a popular audience. The scores from all three movies won Grammy Awards, and two won Oscars.

“It’s stuff we recognize,” said violinist Emily Schultz, a sophomore at Lewiston High School. “I thought, hey wait, we’re playing that — wow!”

The YOLA group, as a whole, credited cellist Bradley Sperl, a 7th-grader at Hebron Academy for the movie theme idea.

“I really like to watch movies,” said Sperl. “I’ve watched ‘Star Wars’ many times, and that music just sticks in my head.”

Violinist Zane Dustin, an 8th-grader at Oxford Hills Middle School, agreed.

“It’s the kind of music that evokes emotion,” said Dustin. “The music makes you feel what the movie wants to you to.”

In addition to the trilogy, YOLA will perform music from “Amadeus,” “The Titanic,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End,” and “The Godfather.” YOLA will even play a Duke Ellington tune included on the soundtrack from “When Harry Met Sally” that garnered Harry Connick, Jr. his first Grammy award and launched his career as a vocalist.

Vaillancourt explained that she still wanted the group to play a truly classical piece and inserted her choice for the theme from “Amadeus,” which is actually Mozart’s Symphony No. 25. The Ellington piece, “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” with a bonus performance of “It Don’t Mean a Thing” made the list in anticipation of YOLA’s participation in Museum L-A’s upcoming “Jazz Age” exhibit. The museum’s prelude event is scheduled Tuesday, May 7, at the Atrium in the Bates Mill and will feature YOLA and the student jazz ensemble from Hebron Academy.

What: Youth Orchestra of Lewiston-Auburn (YOLA) Spring Concert

When: 7 p.m. Monday, April 29

Where: Auburn Public Library, Community Room, 49 Spring St., Auburn

Admission: Free to the public

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