The KU Symphony Orchestra/KUSO packed the Lied Center for the annual Halloween concert on Friday, October 28, 2011, at 7:30pm. Preceding the concert was a community-wide costume contest in the Seymour Gallery of the Lied Center.

The 6:30pm costume contest was open to three categories: Youth, Collegiate and Adult. Baby Jay, Nancy Longhurst from the Oread and Eldridge Hotels, and Professor Dena Register judged this fun event. The Seymour Gallery was packed with ghosts, goblins, fairy princesses, zombies, an Elvis impersonator, UFO’s, and much more! This year’s celebrity emcee was J. Schafer of Kansas Public Radio. Winners were announced during the 7:30pm concert. Additionally, the KU Sigma Alpha Iota chapter held an "instrument petting zoo" during this time--a chance for concert-goers to hold and play symphonic instruments!

View the 2010 photo gallery.	View the 2011 photo gallery.

The KUSO performed “Cowboys vs. Aliens” at 7:30 p.m. The audience was treated to numerous costume changes by conductor David Neely, including a cameo appearance by Darth Vader. The works performed that evening included an Excerpt from Also sprach Zarathustra by Richard Strauss; The Magnificent Seven by Elmer Bernstein; Close Encounters of the Third Kind by John Williams; The Cowboys by John Williams; The Empire Strikes Back Suite by Williams; and Star Trek Through the Years, arr. by Calvin Custer. The concert concluded with the Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo by Copland.

This event was sponsored by The Eldridge and Oread Hotels, Kansas Public Radio, and KU Bookstore-The Official Bookstore of KU.

Thanks to all who made this fun evening possible! We look forward to next year!