Metropolis Youth Symphony prepares for Tuesday concert

Twins Haley and Rachel Nagengast from Arlington Heights are among the featured soloists Tuesday at the Metropolis Youth Symphony concert on Tuesday.

The St. Viator High School sophomores will play solos during the orchestra's rendition of "Appalachian Spring," by American composer, Aaron Copland.

The familiar piece is one of many that audience members will recognize during the orchestra's annual Halloween concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St. in Arlington Heights.

More soloists include Laura Collins of Arlington Heights and Kylie Gember of Wheeling, who will play difficult flute solos during Rossini's Overture to, "Italian Girl in Algiers."

Their musicianship also underscores the point, given that all of the concert's proceeds will go toward Metropolis Youth Symphony scholarships.

Some of the other selections include the theme from "Star Wars," by John Williams, a medley of spooky melodies from Tim Burton's "Corpse Bride," as well as those from the lighter film, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."

Formed in 2000, the youth orchestra draws its musicians from throughout the Northwest suburbs, including Arlington Heights, Barrington, Carol Stream, Des Plaines, Mount Prospect, Park Ridge, Prospect Heights, and Schaumburg.

They play under the direction of Javier Jose Mendoza, who is in his third year heading up the youth symphony.

"I chose the program to showcase our talent," Mendoza says. "We have some excellent musicians, who have really stepped up to lead the orchestra."

Tuesday's concert will be the first since the orchestra changed its key, so to speak, and merged with Metropolis' School of the Performing Arts, from its original design as an independent nonprofit organization.

Consequently, while much of the Halloween concert will remain the same as it has in the past, with its musicians playing in costume, under their familiar director, its venue will be different.

For the first time since they began the "spooktacular" scholarship concert, orchestra members will perform on the Metropolis stage.

Tickets to the concert are $15 or $10 for seniors and children 12 and under. For tickets, call the Metropolis box office at (847) 577-2121, or for more information about the youth symphony, visit www.metropolisarts.com.