Halloween concert at MCC

By Sandi Horton

The McLennan Community College Music Department faculty has worked very creatively with their students to provide a real treat for the Halloween enjoyment of those fortunate enough to live in Central Texas. 

Oct. 31, 2011 will be filled with chills, thrills, and surprises at a special concert staged in the MCC Performing Arts Center. Several ensembles will collaborate to provide our community with a free concert at 7:30 pm.

Performing groups will include the MCC Chorale and Tartan Singers directed by Gale Geary Wade, Wind Ensemble led by Dr. Brian Harris and Percussion Ensemble led by Jonathan Kutz. Dr. Andrew Hudson will serve as pianist for the performing groups. The ensembles will play individually and in various combinations.

The concert will open dramatically with all the lights turned off so the audience is sitting in total darkness. (This concert is not recommended for young children.) The Tartan Singers will begin singing inside the orchestra pit using flashlights. Some of the concert’s repertoire will include eerie pieces such as "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd" and "Dies Irae" from Mozart’s Requiem sung by full choir. 

The Wind Ensemble will continue the spooky theme with Gounod’s "Funeral March for a Marionette" and Boysen’s "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." Special effect lighting from the tech crew will be led by Frog Howard. A piano solo played by Katherine Scrivner will be accompanied by the Wind Ensemble.

An original piece written by MCC percussion instructor Jonathan Kutz will be performed by the percussion ensemble playing in the orchestra pit using black light sticks. 

The evening will culminate with several powerful movements from "Carmina Burana" performed by full choir and band.

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