Eerie melodies will echo throughout Angelle Hall as brings its popular Halloween concert back for another haunting performance.
Guests can join the at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 29. Orchestra members will dress in costumes, and audience members are encouraged to participate in the masked revelry.
"There's always some antics and a ton of energy from the audience," said Michael Blaney, director of orchestral activities and conductor of the UL Lafayette Symphony Orchestra.
Blaney said he dreamed up the annual concert about 30 years ago to attract more students.
"I thought this might be a fun way to put the orchestra on the map," Blaney said. "It was an instant success, even from the first performance. When I first started in 1996, we had 20 people in the orchestra. Now, we have over 70."
This year's performance will include selections from 鈥淗ow to Train Your Dragon鈥 and 鈥淏eetlejuice,鈥 along with mood-setting favorites from Tchaikovsky and Verdi. The orchestra will welcome special guests: the North Vermilion High School Women's Chorale and dancers from the Ballet Studio of Lafayette.
"There's a lot of work that goes into this, and I don't think the audience always realizes that," Blaney said. "It's very rewarding to see the progress that's made from our first rehearsal to concert night."
The concert is free for all UL Lafayette students, faculty and staff with a valid ID. General admission is $10. Tickets can be purchased, using cash or check, beginning at 6 p.m. on Oct. 29, in the Angelle Hall auditorium. All proceeds benefit the UL Lafayette Orchestra Program.
For more information, call the UL Lafayette Symphony Orchestra at 337-482-6050 or visit for details about upcoming performances.
Photo caption: Orchestra members perform in costume at the annual Halloween concert. Guests are encouraged to wear costumes, too. Photo credit: Courtesy of UL Lafayette Symphony Orchestra