Symphony Orchestra to perform Halloween classics

The Grand Valley State University Symphony Orchestra will perform spooky selections during two free concerts to celebrate the Halloween season, with one performance occurring side-by-side with local high school students.

The orchestra will travel to Jenison Wednesday, October 28, to perform at its annual Side-by-Side Concert, this year with the Jenison High School Chamber Orchestra at the Jenison Center for the Arts (8375 20th Ave.) beginning at 7:30 p.m. The orchestra will first perform Brahm’s “Hungarian Dance No. 6,” Grieg’s “In the Hall of the Mountain King,” and Holst’s “Mars from ‘The Planets,’” as well as a brass fanfare. The concert will conclude when the Jenison orchestra joins the GVSU Symphony Orchestra to perform Mussorgsky’s “Night on Bald Mountain.”

“The Side-by-Side Concert is a win-win situation because high school students learn by sitting next to university players, but our Grand Valley students also receive an educational experience by playing with a larger string section,” said Henry Duitman, GVSU Symphony Orchestra director.

The GVSU Symphony Orchestra will also offer a 30-minute Halloween concert comprised of seasonal classics and surprises for those in attendance. Children in the audience are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes, as the orchestra will pass out candy. The Halloween concert will take place Saturday, October 31, at 8 p.m. in the Mary Idema Pew Library Atrium.

Both concerts are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Grand Valley's Music and Dance Department at (616) 331-3484 or [email protected].