The sights and sounds of Halloween filled Doudna Fine Arts Center Sunday evening for the performance of “Fright Night.”

The different costumes worn by members of the Eastern Symphony Orchestra, and children in attendance set the environment for the night of fright.

Richard Rossi, conductor for the Eastern Symphony, dressed as Abraham Lincoln.

Elmo, Dumbo, a construction worker and Wonder Woman were other costumes that filled Dvorak Concert Hall.

As the Eastern Symphony Orchestra performed “Star Trek” by Jerry Goldsmith, the children walked onstage for a costume contest.

Following the contest, graduate student D. Trent Mason debuted the piece he wrote to accompany the silent film “Nosferatu,” based on Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

Those performing in “Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror,” like Derek Maninfior, a sophomore music major, gained experiences from working with Mason.

“There were a lot of great experiences for the orchestra, working with a new piece that has never been done before,” Maninfior said. “Being able to interact with the composer, unlike a Mozart symphony, where we don’t know what the composer wants. So working with a composer and hear him one-on-one say what he wants.”

Though his part was a small part in the big picture, Maninfior said Mason taught him that no part in a symphony orchestra is small.

“(Mason) was specific and detailed in what he wanted from the orchestra, and they were able to reciprocate that, and deliver the sound he was looking for,” Maninfior said. “It was a pleasure for me to work with Trent, he was very detailed in what he wanted from my small part.”

Allen Rotert, a music graduate student, acted as the graduate conductor for both pieces by the Eastern Symphony Orchestra.

“One of the biggest experiences I had while standing in front of a large musical ensemble is the wall of sound produced by talented musicians,” Rotert said. “As a student conductor, it is amazing to me how each year as I get older in my studies, the ensemble progresses to get better, and it is an awe inspiring experience.”

In dealing with Fright Night, Rotert said he feared everything that could happen, like a worst-case scenario.

He feared the DVD player not working, the lighting and fuses blowing out, someone forgetting their music or their instrument.

Musically, Rotert said he feared he would not live up to the composer’s expectations.

Rotert said he learned how to use and hear sounds from Mason. As a conductor, Rotert said he hears the notes on the page. Mason hears the sounds in his head. He said dealing with someone like Mason is a whole new experience.

“It is amazing to work with such a talented person,” Rotert said. “Trent Mason is one of the smartest and talented people I know on campus. Working with him for the past few months has been an honor and a privilege. I hope I get to work with him again.”

Jose Gonzalez can be reached at 581-7942 or jlgonzalez@eiu.edu.

The Bow-Dacious String Band from Urbana performs during Fright Night on Sunday evening in Dvorak Concert Hall in The Doudna Fine Arts Center.(Audrey Sawyer/The Daily Eastern News)

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