KU Symphony Orchestra plans concert and community costume contest
LAWRENCE — The KU Symphony Orchestra will perform a Halloween concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, 2011, in the Lied Center auditorium.A community-wide costume contest will start at 6:30 p.m. in the Lied Center Seymour Gallery.
The costume contest will be open to three categories: Youth (up to age 18), Collegiate and Adult. Judges for the contest include Baby Jay; Nancy Longhurst, general manager of The Olivia Collection, which includes The Eldridge, The Eldridge Extended and The Oread; and Dena Register, KU professor of music education and music therapy. Prizes will be given to the top winners of each category. The emcee for this year’s costume contest will be J. Schafer, news director for Kansas Public Radio. Winners of the costume contest will be announced during the concert.
Additionally, the KU Sigma Alpha Iota chapter will have an instrument petting zoo in the Seymour Gallery prior to the concert. This is a fantastic opportunity for concert-goers to hold and play instruments heard during the concert — all ages are welcome.
This year’s concert, “COWBOYS VS. ALIENS,” will feature cowboy classics such as Aaron Copland’s “Rodeo,” as well as film scores, all with an outer space or Western theme. Trekkies, alien hunters, Chewbaccas and High Plains drifters will not want to miss this event. Get ready for the Mother Ship to land in the Lied Center.
“This event has been a huge hit, so we cannot wait to continue the tradition this year," said Professor David Neely, director of orchestral activities and conductor of the Symphony Orchestra. “Imagine a costumed orchestra and conductor performing cowboy and otherworldly music on the Lied stage, with colorful lighting and gags built in — perfect entertainment for all audiences. Come dressed in your best Halloween costume for the pre-concert festivities, and stay for the concert!”
Tickets are $7 general admission and $5 for students and seniors. Tickets can be purchased through the Lied Center Box Office at (785) 864-2787.
Sponsors for the KU Symphony Orchestra Halloween Costume Contest include The Eldridge and Oread Hotels, KU Bookstore and Kansas Public Radio.
Prizes include:
• Youth Category: Jayhawk backpack with goodies inside, provided by KU Bookstores.
• Collegiate Category: Gift certificate for dinner at The Oread or Eldridge Hotel.
• Adult Category: one-night stay at The Oread Hotel.
Visit KU's School of Music or call 785-864-3436 for more information.