09/03/10 bdb local, area

HAYS, Kan. -- The Hays Symphony Orchestra's 2010-2011 season at Fort Hays State University is filled with music from Berloiz, Tchaikovsky, Handel, Schumann, Beethoven and many others in six performances throughout the year.

Kicking off the 2010-2011 season is "Going Baroque" at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25 in the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center in Sheridan Hall on the FHSU campus. "Going Baroque" features Handel's "Watermusic." Hilary Shepard, instructor of music at FHSU, is featured on the flute, as well as tenor Joseph Perniciaro, assistant professor of music.

Next on the docket is the "Halloween Spooktacular Family Concert" at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30 in Beach/Schmidt. "Halloween Spooktacular" includes "Night on Bald Mountain" by Mussorgsky, "Danse Macabre" by Saen-Saints and "Mars" by Holst.

Ringing in the holiday season is the "Cathedral Concert" at 3 and 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 12 in St. Fidelis Catholic Church in Victoria. The Cathedral Concert includes selections from Handel's "Messiah" and "Lark Ascending" by Vaughn Williams. Matt Means, assistant professor of music, will be the featured violinist.

The next performance is for the younger members of the orchestra's fans: the children's concert, at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 19 in Beach/Schmidt. Lane Weaver, instructor of music, will conduct.

The Young Artist Competition, at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12, will showcase the competition's finalists with Schumann's "Symphony No. 3." The performance will be in Beach/Schmidt. Ken Hakoda, chair of the Department of Music at Kansas Wesleyan University, will conduct.

The grand finale of the 2010-2011 season is Masterworks at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, at Beach/Schmidt. The final concert features guest conductor Mark Laycock, associate professor of music at Wichita State University; the Matisse Piano Trio; soprano Dr. Ivahal Allen; and baritone Dr. Steven Taylor. The concert showcases "Triple Concert" by Beethoven and "Te Deum" by Dvorak.

For more information about the 2010-2011 concert schedule or the Hays Symphony Orchestra, visit the website at www.fhsu.edu/music/ensembles/symphony/ or call (785) 628-4533.