Halloween Concert: Boise State orchestra mixes film scores with classical works

Boise State University's Symphony Orchestra is staging its annual Halloween concert on Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the Morrison Center main hall, in a program built around works by John Williams, Jacques Offenbach and Camille Saint-Saëns. The performance ends with a medley of Williams' film and television music arranged by American composer Paul Lavender, including the theme from "Jaws," music from the "Harry Potter" films and the score to "E.T."

The program reaches back to arias from the 18th century and also includes Williams' music from the film "Catch Me If You Can." Orchestra Director Chris Purdy said performing in the Morrison Center is an honor, calling it one of the finest halls in the Northwest.

Purdy said the concert will feature three faculty members: Matt Castner on alto saxophone, Dr. Kramer Milan on vibraphone, and professor Chris Amirati on bass. The Morrison Center seats 2,000, and Edwards and DeHaven both described the challenge of projecting to the back of the hall while blending with other players.

Vocalist Eliot DeHaven, who won the 2026 Concerto-Aria Competition, will perform Mozart's "Hai già vinta la causa!" and Charles Gounod's "Ô sainte médaille… Avant de quitter ces lieux" with the orchestra. The competition is open to Boise State music majors and minors, who perform a concerto movement, character piece or vocal aria. DeHaven won the competition last year.

"It's really lovely to work with such a talented group of people. People who come in really know what they're doing and are so receptive to the sort of work that we get to do," DeHaven said. He added that he has a soloist role but never played in an orchestra or ensemble outside of choir when he was younger, so it sometimes feels like he is part of the orchestra, which he called special.

Principal cellist Cameron Edwards said orchestra members sometimes coordinate to dress whole sections in matching Halloween attire. "It's really fun to see what costumes people show up in, and it makes the performance feel a little bit more light and fun, and the audience has a really good time," Edwards said.

The concert has run for nearly 30 years, dating to when Purdy became orchestra director. Tickets are free for Boise State students, faculty and staff with a university ID, and general admission costs $15. The orchestra's next performance is its Annual Holiday Concert on Nov. 12 at 6:30 p.m.