Long Beach Symphony strikes up a Halloween Spooktacular
Bruce Baxter strode to the podium in a pirate's costume to conduct the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra last Sunday, like he had done it a hundred times before.
But this was the first time for the fifth grader from Patrick Henry Elementary, who took the baton from maestro Eckart Preu and directed the orchestra. The orchestra included his proud mother, Jennifer Olson, who plays the flute and was also decked out in a steampunk outfit. Several other orchestra members wore costumes, including cellist Elizabeth Wright, who wore a dazzling pink dress as Glinda the Good
Witch from the “Wizard of Oz.”
A packed house of kids and their families at the Terrace Theater did the familiar clicking with their fingers as Baxter waved his baton with a delightful rendition of the popular “The Addams Family” theme song under the watchful eye of maestro Preu.
It was all part of a fun-filled and educational afternoon program, Halloween Spooktacular, put on by the Long Beach Symphony as part of its outreach to the community. In addition to enjoying the concert, almost 2,000 children and adults had a great time with other activities, including a costume parade, an instrument petting zoo, arts and crafts, and a Jewel Box Theatre dress-up area. Activities took place in both the Terrace Theater lobby and outdoors by the water fountain.
“My favorite parts of the concert were the moments when the audience participated in the music, like the `Ghostbusters' theme song and the finger snapping during `The Addams Family' theme song,” Preu said. “It's amazing when everybody in the hall is part of the music making.”
It was a joy to watch child conductor Bruce, he said, and “the way he dealt with the challenges and opportunities of this experience.”
In an hourlong concert, the orchestra presented a variety of music from classics like Richard Wagner's “Ride of the Valkyries” and Hector Berlioz's “March to the Scaffold” to music from Harry Potter, “Star Wars” and “Monster Mash,” with Stan DeWitt and the Long Beach Youth Chorus. Preu did an enthusiastic job of explaining the different sections of an orchestra, with several musicians playing miniature solos so the audience could hear the various sounds made by their instruments.
“The musicians obviously not only played with their hearts but they also enjoyed playing for the families,” Preu said. “It was a wonderful common experience where everyone — performers and audience alike — enjoyed
themselves tremendously. Bringing the community together through music, that's what the Long Beach Symphony is all about.”
Preu added that for many kids and adults, this might have been their first exposure to a live symphony orchestra.
“We always want to make it a joyful, entertaining and emotionally touching experience,” he said.
Kelly Ruggirello, the symphony's president since 2013, said the organization launched its first family concert in 2018.
“As a former elementary school teacher and the mom of two, I had a vision to produce a fun, musical afternoon for families that would create lifelong memories,” Ruggirello said. “While the symphony has a robust music education department serving students, I felt we also needed to serve families.
“Last weekend was our fourth concert,” she added, “and we're finding that families are coming not only from Long Beach but from throughout Southern California to spend the day with us in Long Beach.”
Transit involved
Especially creative in the symphony's outreach effort is the use of Long Beach Transit.
“With the goal of removing all barriers to hearing world-class music,” Ruggirello said, “we wanted to make sure that we served families from throughout
Guest conductor Bruce Baxter is in a pirate costume. He's a fifth grader at Patrick Henry Elementary. His mother plays the flute in the orchestra.
our diverse city.”
So the symphony created a partnership with Long Beach Transit to provide free shuttles from the Michelle Obama Library in North Long Beach and the Mark Twain Library in Central Long Beach. While all children under 18 could attend the day for
free, any family that visited a Long Beach neighborhood library received a voucher for free tickets for adults also.
One of the most popular activities was the instrument petting zoo, which helps children learn how to play string, wind, brass and percussion instruments
Children sit at an arts and crafts table in Terrace Theater.
through handson instruction and experimentation.
“Last weekend,” Ruggirello said, “we were able to use the brilliant and talented young musicians from Musique Sur La Mer to demonstrate and inspire all who attended.”
Also added this year
because of the Halloween theme was a costume contest, with many kids dressed in delightful and creative costumes ranging from Olaf (from “Frozen”) to Harry Potter and Snow White.
I was a judge, along with Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson and symphony board member, Charlotte Ginsburg. But there were so many terrific costumes, I didn't know how we could pick a winner.
We solved the problem by naming all the costume wearers as winners — and gave each a medal to wear around their neck.
The afternoon was a success, Ruggirello said, because of the generosity of the RuMBa Foundation of Long Beach, which has donated funds for two family concerts a year through 2027. She also thanked symphony partners, including the Long Beach Public Library, Jewel Box Children's Theater, Long Beach Youth Chorus, Musique Sur La Mer, Long Beach Unified School District and Cal State Long Beach's music department.
She also thanked Bruce Baxter for conducting the orchestra for “The Addams Family” theme. Bruce's mom said her son has started playing the clarinet at Patrick Henry with Mrs. Kroops and has always loved music — having played a little piano and guitar before the clarinet.
“I didn't hesitate to volunteer him when they asked for a student to conduct the orchestra,” his mom said. “He's a natural on stage, from waving to the crowd and to his elegant bow at the end.”
Anyone and everyone associated with putting on the Long Beach Symphony's Spooktacular event, in fact, should take a big bow along with Bruce for an entertaining and fun afternoon.