On October 24th, Chelsea School orchestras bewitched crowds with their music. Instead of dressing in classy black attire, the students stepped out, embracing the Halloween spirit in creative costumes.

This tradition was first brought about by Beach Middle School Orchestra Director Nathan Peters and former orchestra director Jed Fritzmeier, who introduced the idea many years ago.

“I don’t know exactly when it started, but this tradition happened because both Mr. Peters and Mr. Fritz were part of the orchestra at U of M, and they would always go to a Halloween concert,” senior Ryan Conley said. “And knowing these two, you know that they would always go way out, so they thought it would be a good and fun idea to bring with them when teaching.”

Every year, the music program does a wonderful job of encouraging the festive fun and putting together the spooky sounds of the ensembles. Usually, each group will include a skit of some sort during one of their pieces. This year, seniors Shane McLaughin and Owen McCulloch performed a tennis duel during a movement of the “Capriol Suite” and got many laughs from the crowd.

“Most everyone participates, but if they don’t want to, no one makes them,” McLaughlin said. “It’s fun not wearing the original all black.”

The festive costumes allow students to have fun on what would usually be a formal night. There were appearances of blow-up dinosaurs, witches, and even the one and only spider man. Beach Middle School Assistant Vice Principal Adam Schilt read aloud a poem during the performance of a piece played by the concert orchestra.

“What makes it fun is seeing how people will come up with group costume ideas, and you will see them scattered across the stage,” McLaughin said. “It also just makes everyone more excited to perform.”