KSO performs holiday favorites

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The Three Musketeers were there, so were the Blues Brothers, as were representatives from Hogwart’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the casts of the Wizard of Oz and Gilligan’s Island – and they were on stage doubling as musicians.

Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra brought all these characters to life and more on Oct. 30. Boutell Memorial Concert Hall at Northern Illinois University was packed with interesting characters for two free Halloween concerts.

Trick-or-treaters were greeted throughout the faculty wing of the building before the first concert and then the musicians danced, pranced and ghost-busted their way through the aisles of the concert hall as a prelude to the interesting selection of seasonal tunes.

Conductor and music director Linc Smelser – last week bearing a strong resemblance to a famous Star Wars villain – led Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra in spooky masterpieces.

These performances were supported by Prairie View Dental of Sycamore, which appeared in the forms of Tigger and Winnie the Pooh and offered toothbrushes to combat the sweet treats. Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra also is supported by WNIU, WNIJ and the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

Upcoming performance

On Dec. 12, KSO will continue its annual family tradition of “Winter Wonderland,” a holiday concert featuring favorites such as Hadyn’s “Toy Symphony,” with play-along instruments supplied for the budding musicians in the audience – and a community sing-along at 7 p.m. at Boutell Memorial Concert Hall at Northern Illinois University, 550 Lucinda Ave.

Named Orchestra of the Year by the Illinois Council of Orchestras, the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra is a nonprofit community group that has provided a venue for local musicians to showcase their talents in an orchestral setting since 1976.

For additional information, call 815-756-3728; send e-mail to contact@kishorchestra.org or visit www.kishorchestra.org.

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