On Tuesday, October 8, Timpview Orchestra performed their first concert of the year titled “Halloween Spooktacular.” The Orchestra’s director, Marcel Bowman, greeted the audience while the Sinfonia Orchestra prepared to start the concert. They began by reciting some brief context for their first number, ‘Dia de los Muertos,’ and explained the colorful Mexican holiday about remembering the dead. The Sinfonia Orchestra delighted audience members with their showcase of violin, viola, cello, bass, and percussion. They concluded their second number, ‘Russian Sailor’s Dance,’ with a moody ending. 

The Concert Orchestra performed next, continuing the dark and gothic theme of the show with the songs ‘Moods of a Shaker Hymn,’ and ‘Medieval Wars.’ The conclusion of their intense numbers made way for the Philharmonic Orchestra, who would be performing a number telling the story of a horror classic: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Starting with the haunting melody of the Headless Horseman, the Orchestra combined their instruments to create a wonderfully eerie rendition of a classic tale. The mood slightly changed after the Philharmonic Orchestra’s instruments ended the legend with the ghost’s melancholic tune, and the stage made way for the Chamber Orchestra. 

Excitement rushed through the crowd as all eyes were on Ashlyn Elder, the first number’s violin soloist. She entered the stage wearing a dark green dress with a violin under her arm. After a heartfelt introduction from Elder’s sister, the Chamber Orchestra started their first number: ‘Violin Concerto n0. 4 in D Major’ by Mozart. The beginning of the number anticipated the start of Ashlyn’s solo, which caused a silent wonder to form across the crowd from the very first note. In a stunning conclusion to the piece, Elder performed a fantastic allegro which caused a standing ovation. 

After the impressive performance from Ashlyn Elder and the Chamber Orchestra, they introduced their second number, ‘Danse Macabre.’ The Halloween spirit of the show shined during this performance, complete with gloomy and beautiful solos from Addy Townsend and Lucy Frandsen on violin. For the final piece, the Chamber Orchestra performed two numbers from the play Peer Gynt. Starting the piece with the familiar tune of ‘Morning Mood,’ a playful and sweet melody compared to the chaotic nature of their second number, ‘In the Hall of the Mountain King.’ The climactic finale to the concert concluded with an epic performance from percussion and Lauren Yorgason on the harp. Once the performance ended, the audience was left excited for Timpview Orchestra’s next concert on December 17.