Review: Michigan Philharmonic Phright Night A Huge Success

The Michigan Philharmonic performed its annual Phright Night concert last Saturday at the PARC in Plymouth; as always, it was a huge success. The symphony harvested some scary tunes at its beloved Halloween POPS concert. Maestro Nan Washburn entered the building on her motorized scooter, drawing thunderous applause from patrons. She opened the concert using a large wooden spoon as her conductor's baton, then quickly switched it out with a professional one. The selections were wonderful, and very much a treat for the ears.

Washburn revealed prior to Elmer Bernstein's To Kill a Mockingbird that the score was what inspired her to learn to play the flute when she was a young girl. During breaks, a volunteer set up a photo booth so patrons could take photos with a festive skeleton. Selections from the evening were:

J.S. Bach Toccata in D Minor, BWV 565 (keyboard solo)
Jacques Offenbach Orpheus in the Underworld Overture
Hector Berlioz March to the Scaffold from "Symphonie Fantastique"
Morton Gould Deserted Ballroom
John Williams Adventures on Earth from "E.T."
Leroy Anderson Phantom Regiment
Elmer Bernstein To Kill a Mockingbird
James Newton Howard King Kong Soundtrack Highlights
Danny Elfman Music from "Spider-Man"
Ray Parker Jr. Ghostbusters

Everyone loved seeing the performers and patrons in costume for the evening. Volunteers passed out delicious popcorn for everyone to enjoy.

The next concert features Jim Beloff, ukulele soloist and composer, and MPYO Sinfonia (side-by-side). Called "Uke never heard music like this before!" don't miss out on the fun for this downhome concert of Americana along with Ukulele master "jumpin" Jim Beloff. Scheduled works are:

Henry Cowell Old American Country Set (1939)
Julia Perry Short Piece for Orchestra (1965)
Jim Beloff Uke Can't Be Serious: A Concerto for Ukulele and Symphony Orchestra (1999)
Richard Rodgers Tribute to Richard Rodgers (MPYO side-by-side)
Aaron Copland Four Dance Episodes from "Rodeo" (1942)

For more information, kindly visit http://www.michiganphil.org/Events/Season.html

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