Oct. 15 is the beginning of the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra’s 2016-2017 season. The concert, Fall Spooktacular is focused on fun, seasonal music and sponsored by Sandhills Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. For this concert, the musicians perform a mix of classical and popular music with the idea of celebrating a fun, spooky and family-friendly Halloween. All of the music is set to stories of witches and sorcerers. Some of the featured pieces are works like Bach’s “Toccata & Fugue in D Minor,” music from Harry Potter and even music from Psycho. Families are encouraged to get into the spirit of the season and to enjoy the concert, in Huff Concert Hall at Methodist University, dressed in their finest Halloween costumes.

Another exciting aspect of this concert is that it is part of the Final Five Series. This series highlights five conductors applying for the position of music director/conductor of the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra. In order to give the community a voice in the decision of who will be the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra’s next conductor, these five applicants have been invited to guest conduct a concert. These concerts are essentially public auditions. After each concert, an opportunity for audience members to comment on the concert and on the conductor is planned. The feedback received in this manner is used by the Symphony Board of Directors to make the final decision. 

The guest conductor for the “Fall Spooktacular” is Alfred Sturgis. He is currently the conductor of the Tar River Orchestra, Carolina Ballet and the North Carolina Master Chorale. Audience members will have the opportunity to get to know Sturgis a little before the concert with the Pre-Concert Talk. Joining Sturgis on the stage is the FSO “Music Nerd.” The Pre Concert talk will start at 6:45 p.m., and everyone is invited to learn more about the potential new leader of the orchestra. 

Tickets for the “Fall Spooktacular” are $27 and can be purchased at www.fayettevillesymphony.org. However, there are also season packages available that offer discounts with the purchase of multiple tickets. 

From it’s inception in 1956 the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra has been dedicated to the citizens of Cumberland County. The symphony works to educate, entertain and inspire through its artistic excellence. Having community input in the selection of the new musical director/conductor is vital for the future of the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the artistic nature of the musical community in Fayetteville. Community support and participation is what makes this work, and it may be difficult to pick your favorite conductor if you have only seen one of the five auditions.

The next guest conductor is Stefan Sanders who will lead the concert, “Czech is Out!” on Nov. 19. During this concert, the Fayetteville Symphony will bring to life Dvorak’s “Symphony No. 8,” which harkens to Bohemian folk music. Mozart’s “Piano Concerto No. 8 in E-Flat Major” is also part of the performance by soloist Scott Marosek. Sanders is currently the Associate Conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. He will also be available for conversation during a Pre-Concert Talk with the FSO
“Music Nerd.”