The University of Louisiana at Lafayette Symphony Orchestra is putting on their 31st annual Halloween concert on Thursday, Oct. 29, to kick off the Halloween weekend festivities. Taking place at 7 p.m. in the Angelle Hall Auditorium, orchestra members will be dressed in costume, and attendees are encouraged to do the same.
Speaking with Michael Blaney, director of orchestral activities, he emphasized that this concert is for everyone, including those who have not been to a classical music or orchestra concert. He said, “This would be a great one because it’s a very welcoming show.”
Since 1995, the orchestra has prepared a concert full of autumnal and halloween-spirited music, and this year, there will be “various little antics,” as Blaney calls it, for audiences to enjoy. There will be collaborations with singers from the UL Lafayette School of Music and some dancers from The Ballet Studio in Lafayette.
These performances will accompany the concert program, which features some pieces audiences may recognize upon hearing. “You’ve probably heard them in a movie, or heard them in a commercial,” Blaney said.
Starting off will be John William’s “Star Wars Medley,” and following will be standout pieces like Modest Mussorgsky’s “Night on Bald Mountain,” and Sergei Prokofiev’s “Montagues and Capulets” from “Romeo and Juliet.” Blaney recalled that the orchestra has prepared these works since the beginning of the semester, and many of them are challenging for beginners.
“I definitely stress the artistic side of things,” Blaney said. “But we’re having a lot of fun with it.” The orchestra has a combination of newer undergraduate students and seasoned veterans of the program who are graduates. “They all really help each other,” Blaney said.
One of the more intricate and difficult pieces is Carl Nielsen’s “Aladdin Suite,” which Blaney is most excited to present. The orchestra will be divided into four sections to emulate a marketplace, and each section will emulate the different market groups, such as food vendors and florists, through their sound.
“It’s just this kind of cacophony of sounds that fit together to make a really unique piece,” said Blaney.
Talking with three different students, they all share their different experiences and what they think audiences should look forward to.
Sophomore cello player Makai Tatum shared that she is looking forward to the costumes. “I’m most excited about dressing up,” she said. “It’s super fun for all games and it’s one of the best concerts we do.”
Blaney recalled that sometimes the orchestra members get together to have matching costumes, giving an example that one year they had a “Scooby-Doo” group and another as convicts.
Junior upright bass player Evelynne Bowles is anticipating getting to play the bass again. “I’m most excited to get back out there and make music,” she said. “Playing music on stage for other students and families, it’s such a thrill.”
Sophomore international graduate James Lee is marking this as his first time performing in an orchestra as a pianist. He joked that his favorite piece is the “Star Wars Medley” but has never seen “Star Wars” himself. Lee has enjoyed all preparation for the concert. “It really has been a pleasure to be in the orchestra so far,” he said.
Much work has been put into this production, and all money from the concert goes towards the UL Lafayette School of Music. “The goal is for students and audiences to have a good time,” Blaney said.
Admission is free for all UL Lafayette students and $10 for the general public.