University Symphony Orchestra Presents An Evening Of Cosmic Adventures!

Online, October 23, 2009 (Newswire.com) - CHICAGO, Hyde Park-The University of Chicago Symphony Orchestra will present a concert of cosmic proportion on Saturday October 31, 2009 at Mandel Hall on The University of Chicago campus. This year's annual Halloween event will feature Gustav Holst's The Planets, plus excerpts from John Williams' Star Wars Suite, along with music from the Star Trek television and film series. Barbara Schubert, Music Director of the University Symphony Orchestra, conducts.

The University Symphony Orchestra is joined by the University Women's Chorale and the Hyde Park School of Dance for this Halloween program, which is enhanced by costumes, story-telling, and special effects.

Gustav Holst (1874-1934) composed his magnificent seven-movement suite, The Planets, between 1914-1916. Each movement of Holst's masterpiece represents an astrological rather than astronomical concept, symbolizing basic drives or influences of these heavenly bodies on the human psyche. The order of the suite's movements corresponds to the increasing distance of their named planets from the Earth: Mars, the Bringer of War; Venus, the Bringer of Peace; Mercury, the Winged Messenger; Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity; Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age; Uranus, the Magician; and Neptune, the Mystic.

Holst's celestial score directly inspired the more recent creation of "extraterrestrial" composer John Williams, whose Star Wars music will also be heard on the evening's program. Listeners will recognize echoes of Mars, the Bringer of War in the various Star Wars themes, composed between 1977 and 2005. Other familiar melodies include "Princess Leia's Theme," "Yoda's Theme," and "The Imperial March of Darth Vader." Now considered film music legend, Star Wars - whose solar sweeping sounds reinstated the symphonic backdrop for cinema after years of pop-based film music - are sure to thrill audiences of all ages.

In line with their cosmic theme, the 100+ member University Symphony Orchestra will perform another medley of tunes that both evoke memories and provoke the imagination: music from the television shows and film Star Trek, including sounds from Deep Space Nine, The Inner Light, Generations, Voyager and Star Trek, The Motion Picture. Audiences are sure to see stars!

Admission for Cosmic Adventures! is requested at the door. Suggested donations are $8 for the general public and $4 for students and children. Children under age 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Audience members are encouraged to come in costume for this family-friendly event.