Orchestra prepares for 'Spooktacular' performances

<p>News Tribune file</p><p><strong>Dancers Alley and the Jefferson City Symphony Orchestra performs its Spooktacular at Lincoln University in 2018. This year’s Spooktacular performance is set for 4 p.m. Sunday and 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.</strong></p>

News Tribune file

Dancers Alley and the Jefferson City Symphony Orchestra performs its Spooktacular at Lincoln University in 2018. This year’s Spooktacular performance is set for 4 p.m. Sunday and 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The Jefferson City Symphony Orchestra is getting ready for one Spooktacular performance they hope will attract those looking for some musical Halloween inspiration.

Returning for a second year, the Symphony Spooktacular features lively and spooky music, along with dancers and vocal performances to complement the orchestra.

"We have quite an extravaganza of pieces that range from great classics of the classical music canon to favorites in our popular culture," conductor Patrick Clark said. "All of these pieces relate to the theme of Halloween or ghoulishness."

Such pieces include "The Sorcer's Apprentice," composed by Paul Dukas and made familiar to many by its use in the Disney movie "Fantasia," and music from the film "Ghostbusters." Clark said the "Ghostbusters" piece will be performed in collaboration with Total Uproar, a Jefferson City High School choir under the direction of Jarrod Hendricks.

Also being featured in collaboration with the orchestra will be dancers from Dancers' Alley under the direction of Katy Howland. Another feature of the show will be a Jefferson City High School student, David Gillam, who will play a violin solo in "The Devil Went Down to Georgia."

Clark said all of the pieces performed are likely to be recognized by audience members.

All performers will be in costume and Clark said the audience is encouraged to attend in costume as well. He noted the venue, the Mitchell Auditorium on the Lincoln University campus, will be decorated to match the event theme, adding "tremendous effort" has been put into some "ghoulish decorations."

The emcee for the evening will be Tim Duggan.

Clark said last year's performances were very well-attended and, as a result, they are giving serious consideration to making the Spooktacular an annual performance.

"I think it's going to be a whole lot of fun," Clark said of the upcoming performances. "It's fun for the orchestra, it's fun for the audience, it's fun for me and I believe it's already, after one year, become a great favorite for all of us.

Performances are set for 4 p.m. Sunday and 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, both at the Mitchell Auditorium at 710 E. Dunklin St. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for students, and can be purchased at jcsymphony.org, the Capital Music Company, Will West Music and Sound, Jerry Fields Violins or at the door on the night of each performance.