BWW Reviews: Michigan Phil Triumphs with Twilight of a Dark Knight Halloween Pops

Every year, the Michigan Philharmonic presents a Halloween pops concert, and this year's was a triumphal success. Held at Steppingstone School for the Gifted, the symphony played in a "haunted garage," i.e. a large warehouse decorated by the gifted children. Patrons were invited to wear costumes, as were the symphony musicians. Music Director Nan Washburn arrived in style, wearing a brightly colored clown outfit, riding to the podium on a decorative clown bicycle.

The audience of hundreds was thrilled with the music selection, all having something to do with Halloween or The Dark Knight. Before the evening's program finished, prizes were given to the best costumes. Every child who came in a costume received a prize.

The event included a bake sale, where hundreds of irresistible goodies were available for purchase. The chocolate covered brownies were beyond supreme!

The evening's performance consisted of:

Engelbert Humperdinck: Witch's Ride from "Hansel & Gretel"
Charles Gounod: The Funeral March of the Marionette
Camille Saint-Saens: Danse Macabre
Bernard Herrmann: Psycho Prelude
Carter Burwell: Twilight - Bella's Lullaby
John Williams: The Complete Harry Potter
Danny Elfman: Corpse Bride Selections
Gregson-Williams: Chronicles of Narnia - The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Hans Zimmer: Batman - The Dark Knight Concert Suite
John Williams: Star Wars Cantina Band
Richard O'Brien: Time Warp (from " Rocky Horror Picture Show")
Michael Jackson: Thriller

The Philharmonic presents a Holiday Pops concert December 11. For further information, kindly visit http://www.michiganphil.org