The South Kansas Symphony will mark the Halloween celebration with a pair of performances titled “Twilight into Darkness.”

On Thursday, Oct. 28, the symphony will present a concert in the Poncan Theater in Ponca City, Okla., at 7 p.m. The second performance will be Sunday, Oct. 31, at 3 p.m. in Richardson Auditorium on the Southwestern College.

According to Daniel Stevens, executive director and conductor for the South Kansas Symphony, the short, interactive concert is programmed with young children and families in mind.

“It will feature recognizable musical pieces of the spookier variety,” Stevens says.

 One highlight will be James Leland on the organ playing part of Bach’s “Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565.”

“The opening to this piece is a classic immortalized in the Dracula movies. Hearing it live will give you shivers,” says Stevens.

After each concert the symphony will offer an instrument petting zoo for young audience members.

Each performance venue will feature additional activities for their event. In Ponca City, concertgoers are encouraged to attend Ponca City Main Street’s Goblins on Grand Halloween Carnival before the concert. In Winfield, every child will receive a door prize and each child who comes in costume will be entered into a drawing for a grand prize.

Tickets may be purchased in advance or at the door.  The cost is $5 for adults; children 17 and under are free with an adult admission. For more information regarding the Ponca City performance, visit www.poncantheatre.com or call (580) 765-0943. For more information on this or any of the Symphony’s 2010-2011 performances, contact Lou Tharp at (620) 229-6272 or visit the website at www.southkansassymphony.com.

The Ponca City performance is underwritten by Dick and Joan Jones. The Winfield performance is underwritten by Mary and Phil Jarvis.