October 26, 2026
SIU’s annual Halloween Pops brings spooky music to Shryock Auditorium Oct. 29
CARBONDALE, Ill. — The Southern Illinois University Carbondale School of Music invites the community to dress up, grab some candy and settle in for live spooky music at its free, annual Halloween Pops concert at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, in Shryock Auditorium. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
For some children in the audience, it may be their first time hearing concert music performed live, said Richard Kelley, director and associate professor of saxophone in the School of Music.
“Hopefully they will see a unique group of musicians perform and take that memory with them,” he said. “If it inspires them to join band, orchestra or choir at their school, even better.”
That group will include more than 100 performers from across the School of Music. Most are students — with some faculty taking part — and faculty members coach every ensemble. Because almost every area of the school is represented, Kelley said, “there will be something for everyone to enjoy.”
The evening begins with the Wind Ensemble, which opens with selections from Stephen Schwartz’s “Wicked,” arranged by Jay Bocook, before moving into Hiiragi Magnetite’s “Tetoris.” From there, the mood shifts as the Guitar Duo performs Astor Piazzolla’s “Oblivion.”
Music education majors are up next with a Halloween medley played on classroom instruments. The Percussion Ensemble follows with Rick Dior’s “Science Fiction,” and the Low Brass Collective closes the first half of the program with Bruno Mars’ “Risk It All” and John Danzinger’s “Orbicularis Oris.”
The music then pauses for the children’s costume contest, where young audience members compete for prizes and judges select the winners.
When the music resumes, the Concert Choir performs Katerina Gimon’s “Fire,” and the Saxophone Ensemble offers its take on “Pure Imagination,” arranged by Ian Theirl. The Percussion Ensemble returns with Andy Akiho’s “Pillar III,” setting the stage for the adults to take their turn in front of the judges for another costume contest.
The Jazz Ensemble concludes the evening with “Spider-Man” by Bob Harris and Paul Francis Webster, arranged by Isaac Lausell, director of jazz studies, who leads the ensemble.
Most School of Music concerts are free, part of what Kelley described as an effort to be a “primary musical resource for the community.”
For disability accommodations, call 618-453-5738.