The Eastern Michigan University Symphony Orchestra will be performing a Halloween concert at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 26 at Pease Auditorium. The Department of Music and Dance is hosting this event to entertain and create a fun atmosphere for the audience of all ages.
“It’s a great event for the community, relevant for kids and they have creative skits,” said Melissa Takach, events and outreach coordinator for the Department of Music and Dance.
The EMU Symphony Orchestra will perform fun and spooky songs for all to enjoy. Children as well as adults can dress up in costumes to fully engage in the spirit of Halloween. The orchestra will be performing in costumes.
Amanda Green from Ypsilanti said, “I am looking forward to the Halloween concert this year. I can’t wait to see the musicians dress up as they do their thing. It blends well with the overall theme.”
In 1997, the concept for the Halloween concert was established by Kevin Miller, director of orchestral activities, while Pease Auditorium was being renovated. He was inspired by local public K-12 schools and the University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra’s Halloween concerts and wanted to bring one to EMU.
Miller, a Detroit native, came to EMU in 1991 because he liked the focus on education. He admired the values EMU embodied and wanted to give something back by teaching. He has been teaching music education at EMU for 22 years. Before joining the EMU family, he taught in public schools for 14 years – three years in Battle Creek, two years in Chelsea and nine years in the Chicago area.
Miller wanted to provide an enriching experience for individuals who never attended an orchestra concert, especially during one of the most exciting holidays of the year.
“It’s fun for the orchestra and the audience,” Miller said. “[It’s a] great way to introduce orchestra music [to people].”
The Halloween concert will have musical performances from the Percussion Ensemble, the Saxophone Quartet and the Bassoon Ensemble. For those who are unaware of what a bassoon is, it’s a woodwind instrument that plays music in the bass and tenor registers. It resembles a flute and a saxophone but sounds completely different.
The members of the orchestra also will act out comical skits between performances as well. In addition, musical theatre professor Phil Simmons will be the guest speaker and do a brief monologue.
There will be a costume parade for the children. As the orchestra is playing, the children will be invited on stage to model their costumes and dance to the music.
This event is Learning Beyond the Classroom approved.
The event is open to the public with admission fees of $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors and $6 for children under 12. Tickets can be ordered online at emutix.com or call the EMU Box Office at 734-487-2282.
All proceeds will go to the Orchestra Development Fund to cover the concert and other expenses.
