Since "Star Wars" arrived in theaters in 1977, music has been at the core of the franchise.
Growing up in a family of diehard fans, I learned "The Imperial March" along with nursery rhymes.
So when I learned that at the end of the "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" panel at San Diego Comic-Con, director J.J. Abrams invited all 6,500 fans in attendance at Hall H to a free, secret "Star Wars" concert— I knew I had to get in.
I did. And it blew away my expectations.
There was no way I was going to get into Hall H for the "Star Wars" panel. People camp outside day and night to snag a seat. But I happened to be sitting nearby the exit while the panel took place, and watched a dozen Stormtroopers marching toward it. It seemed odd.

Just as the panel let out, I got a text from my colleague Kirsten, advising me to look out for a parade of Hall H attendees. Twitter was aflutter.

We quickly pieced together that the crowd was headed to the waterfront for a surprise "Star Wars" concert featuring the San Diego Symphony. I raced alongside the roped-off line.

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