YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Music lovers might just find their inner superhero at Sunday’s concert by the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra. But even if they don’t, it will still be a rousing ride.

The season-closing show, dubbed “Symphonic Superheroes,” will feature music from superhero and action movies that is steeped in triumph and intrigue.

Erik Ochsner – who is already known to local audiences for his movie score concerts – will lead the YSO as guest conductor for the 2:30 p.m. concert at Stambaugh Auditorium. It will be the ninth time he has done so in the past four years.

The “Symphonic Superheroes” concert was already on the books when this season began. It was part of the lineup put together last summer by Sergey Bogza, whose tenure as music director of the YSO ended a couple of months after it started.

When Ochsner was tapped as guest conductor for the March 2 performance, he had to adhere to the superhero theme, as well as its appeal to the whole family.

The program that Ochsner put together fits with his goal for every performance: reach a new audience and expose the existing audience to something new.

“I was given the title that the previous music director made and was allowed to make changes as I saw fit,” Ochsner said. “I wanted  familiar music as much as possible, but I also included four straight-up classical compositions. I want to give them what they know and also something that perhaps they don’t know but is related to being a superhero.”

The classical pieces are often associated with action or superhero film scores, he pointed out.

The concert has no need for a vocalist, as all of the pieces are instrumental.

But Ochsner wrote a script that ties the program together and offers some background about each work. Youngstown-based actor Nathan Beagle, who is part of the Stambaugh Auditorium management team, will be the narrator.

Ochsner sees the “Symphonic Superheroes” concert as a way to lure some fresh ears to the classical music art form.

“I say, ‘Be a Youngstown Symphony ambassador,’” he said. “Bring your friends and your children. It’s not a lengthy concert, and we want to encourage people to not be afraid of something that you don’t know.”

The program includes the theme to Marvel Studios movies, the Superman march and the themes from Batman, The Avengers, Captain America, Captain Marvel, Black Panther and Spider-Man.

Works from action film scores include “Hymn to the Fallen,” from “Saving Private Ryan”; John Williams’ theme from “Raiders of the Lost Ark”; Williams’ “Flight to Neverland” from “Hook”; and the theme from “Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves.”

Also included are Franz Schubert’s Heroic March, Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries, Saint-Saens’ Heroic March and Rossini’s  William Tell Overture.

Concertgoers are invited to arrive early and bring the whole family for a preconcert event showcasing local organizations. A few special superhero guests will also be present for photos.

Tickets are available by calling the box office at 330 259 9651 or at YoungstownSymphony.com.

Pictured at top: Erik Ochsner will again lead the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra. (Photo by Konstantin Gribov)