15 Feb 2026 JAWS in Concert makes waves in Conway
By Kelli Reep
Fifty years after a great white shark changed moviegoing forever, “JAWS” is surfacing once again, this time with a full symphony orchestra bringing its iconic score to life. In March, the Conway Symphony Orchestra and the University of Central Arkansas’s Reynolds Performance Hall will partner to present “JAWS in Concert,” a live-to-film experience that blends Hollywood suspense with the power of orchestral performance.
For Amanda Horton, executive director of UCA Public Appearances, the event is both a celebration and a continuation of a partnership that has flourished since the arts returned to campus after the pandemic.
“These live-to-film concerts have become one of our favorite ways to engage audiences,” Horton said. “They’re immersive, they’re accessible and they allow people to experience the symphony in a completely different way. Even if you don’t think of yourself as a symphony fan, you realize very quickly how essential the music is to storytelling.”
The March performance marks the 50th anniversary of “JAWS,” Steven Spielberg’s groundbreaking 1975 thriller that launched the modern summer blockbuster and cemented composer John Williams as a cinematic legend. With the film projected on the big screen, the Conway Symphony Orchestra will perform Williams’ Academy Award-winning score live all the way from the opening notes to the final credits.
“We drop the screen, and the orchestra plays the entire film,” Horton explained. “That includes the credits, which are a substantial musical moment. We always encourage audiences to stay seated until the very end because that’s truly the final movement of the performance.”
The decision to host the concert at Reynolds Performance Hall (UCA Public Appearances’ 1,200-seat venue) was both strategic and necessary. Movie-with-orchestra productions require extensive licensing and rehearsal time, making them more costly than traditional concerts.
“We knew this was a show that would draw a large audience,” Horton said. “Reynolds allows us to reach more people, generate the revenue needed to pay the musicians and secure the rights, and still keep the experience affordable and welcoming.”
At the center of the performance is Conway Symphony Orchestra music director and conductor Israel “Izzy” Getzov, who will lead the orchestra through one of the most recognizable scores in film history.
“Getting to conduct ‘JAWS’ is truly a privilege,” Getzov said. “John Williams’ score is one of the most recognizable in film history. Those two notes have become a cultural symbol of suspense. To bring that music to life in a live setting is thrilling because it’s not just background, it’s a character in the story. The orchestra really becomes the heartbeat of the whole film.”
Unlike a traditional concert, live-to-film performances require precision timing and intense focus. Getzov conducts using a specialized system of visual cues and a click track to stay perfectly synchronized with the action on screen.
“It’s a bit of a high-wire act,” he said, “but that’s part of the fun.”
Beyond the technical challenge, Getzov sees the performance as an invitation, especially for those who may have never attended an orchestral concert.
“These concerts are a fantastic entry point,” he said. “You come for the movie you love, and you leave with a new appreciation for what a live orchestra can do.”
That spirit of community connection is one reason 501 LIFE magazine is proud to serve as the event’s media sponsor. Publisher Jeremy Higginbotham sees the night as more than entertainment — it’s a reminder of what makes Conway special.
“501 LIFE has had such fun sponsoring these nights out at the movies with UCA Public Appearances and the Conway Symphony Orchestra,” Higginbotham said. “I still remember seeing ‘Ghostbusters’ when I wasn’t even 10 years old, and I’ve never seen ‘JAWS’ on the big screen. I’m excited to see it in style. It’s on nights like this that we remember how lucky we are to live in a community like Conway that provides unique experiences we can all enjoy.”
For Horton, watching the audience may be her favorite part.
“I love seeing people react — cheering, laughing, looking back and forth between the screen and the musicians,” she said. “It’s a shared experience, and that’s what live performance is all about.”
“JAWS in Concert” will be presented Saturday, March 7, at Reynolds Performance Hall in Conway. Whether audiences come for nostalgia, cinematic thrills or the symphony itself, one thing is certain. When those first notes sound, the water will never feel quite the same.
Tickets range from $31 to $57, including fees. Student/child tickets are not available online, so contact the box office at 501.450.3265 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. To purchase tickets online, visit uca.edu/publicappearances.
