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The
Halloween Story
"Halloween has inspired composers to create some of our most colorful music," explains Leo Najar, Artistic Director. "Camille Saint Säens wrote Danse Macabre, probably the single most famous classical Halloween piece, and we will play that along with In the Hall of The Mountain King by Grieg, The Funeral March of a Marionette by Gounod, which is probably not a familiar title to many, but the older generation will know as the theme music from the Alfred Hitchcock Show, and one of the most difficult and exciting pieces in our repertoire, The Ride of the Valkyries by Wagner." It isn't all classical music, though. We will also play some pop tunes from the sixties such as The Monster Mash, The Addams Family Theme, and a twist on an old favorite called The Twelve Days of Halloween." Virgil McDonagh, the Mystery Man, has been practicing magic since the age of 10. Since that time, he has accumulated over a half-century of experience performing before audiences of all kinds throughout the Midwest. Rob Clark will serve as "Monster of Ceremonies." He is a well-known member of the musical theater community in the tri-city area. A graduate of Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, he has performed in several shows, and last season made his directing debut with How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying for the Midland Music Society. The program features a fun mixture of traditional classics associated with Halloween and some newer songs. Camille St. Säens wrote his Danse Macabre in 1875, and it is still an audience favorite. The music describes an old French legend that says that all the graves open once a year on All-Hallows Eve (Halloween) when the skeletons come out to dance to the tune of Death's fiddle. For many people, dressing up in a costume is the best part of the holiday. The orchestra and its guests will all be disguised, and to encourage the audience to do the same, there will be a costume contest with first, second and third prizes in three categories: under 13, 13-21, and over 21. "The Bijou Orchestra's Halloween SPOOKtacular was created to provide families a great way to enjoy live music and theater together in a wonderful venue. The program mixes old music and new in a way that is certain to delight audiences of all ages," adds Najar. "We hope to introduce many new people to The Bijou with this concert." For Bay City ticket information, call 989.225.3423. Tickets are available at the orchestra's website: www.BijouOrchestra.org. They may also be purchased at Camille's Costumes, Cherubs and the State Theatre in Bay City, Adomaitis Antiques and Theatricals in Saginaw, and Paper Moon in Midland. The Bijou Orchestra takes its name from the Bijou Theater, one of the earliest Bay City theaters. The ensemble is composed of thirteen outstanding musicians drawn from Michigan and beyond to perform in this challenging medium in which every player is a soloist. The orchestra is supported in part by grants from the Russell H. & Maxine E. Smith Foundation, the Oscar P. & Louise H. Osthelder Advisory Fund, and the Kantzler Foundation of Bay City.
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