Tennessee Tech professor plays violin for movie “Harriet”

Wei Tsun Chang, Ph.D, professor of violin and viola at Tech

As the Tennessee Tech University campus community gathered in Stonecipher Lecture Hall for a recent screening of the movie “Harriet,” a member of the audience was reflecting on his distinct connection to the film. 

Wei Tsun Chang, Ph.D, professor of violin and viola at Tech, recorded the soundtrack for the movie back in summer 2019 with a Nashville studio orchestra. The music was composed and conducted by Terence Blanchard. 

Chang was among musicians who played violin in the orchestra for the film’s music. During his work on “Harriet,” the orchestra played music on a scene-by-scene basis without knowing context for scenes, but Chang knew he was working on a project unlike any before.

The Women's Center and Multicultural Affairs sponsored the movie screening as part of a series of campus events honoring Black History Month. The movie is characterized as an extraordinary take of Harriet Tubman's escape from slavery and transformation into one of America's greatest heroes. 

“It was very powerful and emotional,” Chang said about his experience viewing the film on campus. “We’re overdue with having a movie cover such a great American hero. America is so rich in musical culture and watching that culture unfold on the big screen was a delight for me.”

Chang has been involved in the recording of a number of soundtracks, including “Death Stranding,” “Apex Legends,” and “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare,” but the “Harriet” movie soundtrack was special to him as “it’s one of the greatest projects I’ve ever worked on.”

It’s said that music guides emotion in film, and Chang believes the music of “Harriet” is outstanding with its score. Even already knowing her story, Chang felt emotion towards Tubman and the hardships she faced in the movie. Chang said it felt amazing knowing his inclusion in the soundtrack helped bring Harriet Tubman’s story to life.