October is such an exciting month here in North Carolina! There are fairs, festivals, concerts and bazaars all throughout the state. Fayetteville is no exception to the activity buzz and one of the most anticipated local events is the opening of the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra’s Emerald Anniversary Season! Celebrating its 55th year, The FSO has scheduled a concert season that truly offers something for everyone, regardless of age!

Just in time for Halloween, on Oct. 22, The FSO will open its season with a Symphonic Spooktacular which will feature musical pieces, hauntingly orchestrated, from some of today’s most well-known scary films!

Fouad Fakhouri, music director and conductor of the FSO, said that, “Children, along with their parents, will recognize the music from the movies like Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean and Star Wars. The rest of the program will reintroduce them to short classical pieces that they may have heard before but have forgotten … pieces like “Night on Bald Mountain” used in Disney’s Fantasia, as well as “Danse Macabre” that’s been used in many children’s cartoons.”

In addition, the concert will also feature Fayetteville State University Percussion Professor, Dr. Don Parker, who will perform a Latin-inspired vibraphone concerto written by Brazilian composer, Ney Rosauro.

When asked about the appropriate age to start introducing children to the symphony, Fakhouri explained, “I think it’s never too early to introduce children to the orchestra. Unfortunately, there is a misconception that symphonic music is not for everybody. Our aim for this concert is to try and change that perception.”

Not only do the musical selections make this particular concert a little more youth friendly, but children (and adults) are encouraged to wear the costumes, especially those featuring characters from Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean and Star Wars. Fakhouri stresses, however “audiences at this performance, whether children or adults, can expect great music as well as great entertainment.”

Roxanne Harris, administrative coordinator for the FSO, adds that there will be some thrilling surprises in store during the Symphonic Spooktacular!

One of the event sponsors, Spirit Halloween, will decorate the auditorium lobby to create an eerie ambiance. In addition, the 501st Carolina Garrison (an international Star Wars costuming organization) will be on hand to, according to Harris, “celebrate musical chills and blockbuster thrills.”

While there are no food or beverages for sale during the concert, audiences are always invited to attend the reception, held after each performance, where complimentary refreshments are served.

The box office for this event opens at 6:30 p.m. and seating will start shortly thereafter. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. Single concert ticket prices are $25 for adults, $20 for military ID-holders and senior adults over age 65, $5 for students with ID, while children 12 and under are free. For more information about this performance, or to see the entire concert lineup for the year, visit the FSO website at www.fayettevillesymphony.org or call 910-433-4690.

Photo: Just in time for Halloween, on Oct. 22, The FSO will open its season with a Symphonic Spooktacular.