The magic behind the performance: ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’ in concert

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- The El Paso Symphony Orchestra and the UTEP Choral Union will bring the magical world of Harry Potter to life as they perform alongside the third installment of the franchise, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

The performance will take place at the Plaza Theatre on Saturday, Oct. 10.

Associate Conductor of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra James O. Welsch explained to ABC-7 that this isn't just a standard performance.

"It's the coordination of many different art forms all at the same time," Welsch said. "We use what we call punches and streamers; that would be little bars that are fading by the screen and dots. That's to align music to action, emotional moments."

Welsch told ABC-7 he has been studying the film's music for around two months, practicing the timing and cues to match.

As an added challenge, the orchestra and UTEP Choral Union get the music about two to three weeks before the performance.

Members practiced their parts on their own after their full-time jobs.

In the end, both have only two rehearsals together: the day before and one just hours before the performance.

Principal Percussion for the El Paso Symphony Orchestra Leo Valenzuela told ABC-7 that this is a very intricate performance. The members from the two groups come together to bring this performance to life.

Not only do musicians play the soundtrack, but they also play sound effects heard in the movie.

Valenzuela said one compliment from a previous performance stuck with him: "I was watching the movie, and I didn't notice that the orchestra was there."

For more information on the group's performance of "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" in Concert, or more performances from the El Paso Symphony Orchestra, click here.