As the orchestra marched into Hill Auditorium while playing March of the Little Goblins, I found myself surrounded by zombies, Pokémon characters, the cast of Alice in Wonderland, Mario and his friends, and an entire viola section full of Despicable Me minions, not to mention all of the costumed audience members. After taking their seats, the orchestra proceeded to play without intermission, presenting a concert that showed off their excitement, skill, and playfulness.
The program consisted of seven classical pieces, all with a bit of Halloween flair, conducted by seven different conductors dressed to match their piece. The orchestra was a combination of undergraduate student musicians from the University Symphony Orchestra and the University Philharmonia Orchestra and the conductors were masters students in the conducting program. Although in full Halloween costume, the orchestra played with the precision and enthusiasm of a professional orchestra.
While all of the pieces were played exceedingly well, especially The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, and Overture to Orpheus in the Underworld, the highlight of the concert was when the costumed bear who had previously chased one of the conductors around the auditorium looking for food took the podium to conduct a piece. Soliciting laughs and supportive cheers from the audience, the bear danced his way to the podium and excitedly picked up the baton to conduct Queen Mab Scherzo from Romeo et Juliette.
After the final piece, the orchestra delighted the audience with an encore, playing the theme from Ghostbusters. As the seven conductors danced around in blue jumpsuits and lights flashed around the auditorium, the costumed orchestra danced in their seats, and the audience clapped and danced down the aisles.
Overall, this concert was fun and exciting, and the perfect way to get ready for Halloween. The orchestra didn’t disappoint with their creative costumes, skits, and wonderfully performed pieces. Since this is an annual event, be sure to check it out next year.
