University of Richmond junior creates music that tells a hero’s tale
Student Experience
Adam Kasti fulfills a long-held dream by conducting an orchestra that performs iconic video game soundtracks.
Under the vaulted ceiling of the Perkinson Recital Hall last month, a story unfolded. Overhead lights reflected against the brass horns and bows whipped across strings, as the University of Richmond Video Game Orchestra followed protagonist Cana on a musical journey to find a missing piece of the legendary Tuning Sword. Junior Adam Kasti composed the prelude, created the arrangements, and wrote the narration for “The Hero’s Journey” concert.
The musical storyline finds Cana searching for the missing piece of the sword, crossing many lands and fighting battles. But if she can put the sword back together again, she can bring the world in tune. Kasti selected video game soundtracks to help tell the story.
The fall concert showcased works from 13 video games, including The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light, and Castlevania: Rondo of Blood. Senior Will Scharpf, who attended the concert, plays video games and recognized some of the music. “When I was young, I went to the orchestra a lot with my dad, and they would sometimes play music from movies,” Scharpf said. “This is kind of the same thing.”
From console to concert hall
The orchestra is made up of mostly students, but includes one alum and a staff member. “It’s an incredible feeling getting to work with so many great musicians across the university community,” said Kasti, the orchestra’s president.
Kasti grew up playing Nintendo 3DS games. He enjoyed watching the evolution of video game music — from the simplicity of 8-bit sound to the complex arrangements of today. He especially liked Super Smash Bros. because it pulls characters from different series and has a variety of music tracks.
Since middle school, Kasti has enjoyed both playing video games and arranging orchestra pieces. He has been playing the piano since he was a young child, adding the clarinet to his repertoire in middle school and the tenor saxophone in high school. He combined his two interests when he founded URVGO in the fall of 2024 with mentorship from visiting music professor Stefan Greenfield-Casas. Kasti was able to share his process at the North American Conference on Video Game Music in Cleveland, Ohio this past spring.
“The URVGO is Adam’s brainchild. He created it from nothing and has worked tirelessly to make it a success. He’s written or arranged most of the music the group has performed, recruited members, organized and led rehearsals, directed the concerts, and built a strong following for the ensemble,” said music professor and URVGO faculty advisor Ben Broening.
“Adam Kasti is one of the most motivated, talented, energetic, and organized students we have ever had in the Department of Music.” - Music Professor Andy McGraw
Ingenuity at work
At one concert, the group performed a piece from A Plague Tale: Requiem, a survival horror game set in medieval France. “We didn't have access to all the instruments that they had when they composed the music, so we had to make do with what we had,” Kasti said. “For a lot of the percussion, we used tambourines and cloth mallets for the tom drums. And that basically helped produce the effect we were going for.”
Last spring, URVGO debuted “The Gum Ball Royal Orchestra,” a piece by Cameron Peterson, a 2024 graduate in leadership studies and music, who is currently creating a video game and composing its music. Peterson plays drums for URVGO.
“The URVGO is a model for student leadership, expression, and creativity on campus. Their programs are innovative, well-rehearsed, and professional,” said music professor Andy McGraw. “Adam is a highly gifted conductor and performer. The ability to both perform at a high level and manage and lead a large ensemble is a truly rare combination.”
Kasti, a leadership major from a neighborhood near Tampa, Florida, is considering applying to a doctoral program in political theory and plans to work in academia. As a music minor, he enjoys taking music classes and lessons. Along with conducting the URVGO, he plays for the University’s jazz and wind ensembles.
“This is actually part of the reason why I chose Richmond, because there were a lot of resources for the music program and for the performing arts in general that would allow me to keep growing,” Kasti said. “As a non-music major, I'm able to do so much and continue pursuing my passions.”