When many people merely think about the belovedStar Warsfranchise, the iconic theme fromJohn Williamsautomatically starts playing in their heads. ImagineJohn Williams' surprise last week, when he heard his own music being played outside his own home, by two musically-inclined fans. A new video surfaced this week that has already gone viral, which shows how the composer reacted to these musicians.
On July 11, 13-year-old trupmeterBryce Hayashiand accomplished musicianMichael Miller, a.k.a. “Mickle,” joined forces to perform the iconicStar Wars themeon the sidewalk outside ofJohn Williams' home. TheYouTubevideo has already gone viral, with over 1.1 million views. WithBryce Hayashiplaying the high notes andMichael Millerplaying the low notes on a flugelhorn, the master himself, comes out of his home at the 50-second mark to wave hello, and then comes out to meet these musicians at the 1:24 mark. Here’s what the composer had to say upon greeting these musicians.
“I started to listen and I thought, ‘Oh, they would never make it,’ and they did!”
The video, which was recorded by one ofJohn Williams' neighbors, ends withMichael MillertellingJohn Williamsthat youngBryce Hayashiplayed the “high parts.” Unfortunately, we don’t get to see more of this meeting between a musical legend and a 13-year-old upstart, but it’s still quite a wonderful sight to behold. We also have abehind-the-scenes videowith bothMichael MillerandBryce Hayashirehearsing in a parking garage before making the trip toJohn Williams' house.
It isn’t known howMichael Millerand youngBryce Hayashistarted working together, butMichael Milleris best known for serving as the musical director and composer on the hit 1980s TV seriesSolid Gold. He also composed the opening theme song for the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, which was performed byJohn Denver. Hopefully we’ll learn more about this fateful meeting, and how these musicians started working together as this video continues to goviral.
As forJohn Williamshimself, it was confirmed last month that he will compose the score forStar Wars 8, which recently wrapped principal photography and is set for release on June 27, 2025. Hopefully we’ll be hearing much more about the musical careers ofBryce HayashiandMichael Millerin the near future. Until then check out both the video of their performance outsideJohn Williams' house, and their rehearsal video below.
