Terrifying tunes: John Russo to judge costume contest during WSO’s ‘Scary Music’
Defining “scary” music may be difficult, but you know it when you hear it.
It’s the shrieking violin that scores the infamous “Psycho” shower scene, or the menacing repetition of two notes in the “Jaws” theme.
“There are certain laws of music we expect. Composers use that to their advantage,” said Yugo Ikach, Washington Symphony Orchestra’s principal conductor and music director. “It may give you a juxtaposed result to what you want to hear.”
“Scary Music” is the theme of the WSO’s Saturday event, and though the symphony has performed similar concerts, this is a year of firsts.
“It’s the first time the orchestra will dress up in costume. For those who have never seen us, they might think, ‘Isn’t that nice? They’re going to do some scary music.’ They have no idea how much fun we have,” said Ikach.
Ikach and his musicians strive to give their audience an experience, not just a performance.
John Russo, who co-wrote the screenplay for “Night of the Living Dead’ and appeared in the film, will be the special guest judge Saturday for Washington Symphony Orchestra’s costume contest.
“One of things I love to do is break the mold. It’s less formal than people think it’s going to be,” he said. “I give a little introduction of each piece, and talk about how we’re going to have fun. It’s like a giant living room. We’ve invited all these people to come to the WSO living room, and all of you are a part of this.”
Another new facet of the evening includes a costume contest to be judged by “Night of the Living Dead” co-creator John Russo. The horror classic was filmed around Pittsburgh.
“I miss my longtime friend, George Romero,” Russo said via email. “(It’s) the 50th anniversary of ‘Night of the Living Dead’ and I wish he were here to take part in the festivities.”
Russo said he’s regularly asked to judge costumes or makeup at horror conventions.
“I have no favorites when I’m judging at horror film conventions, which usually aren’t limited to just zombie makeups and costumes but encompass every kind of scary genre – and there will always be some very impressive and imaginative contestants whose work I can get a big kick out of,” he said.
Russo, who’s working on, “My Uncle John is a Zombie,” a horror comedy for which he’s about to sign a deal for worldwide distribution, said movies don’t scare him that much.
“Although the ones that I thought were most effect were “Psycho,” “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” “Alien,” “Halloween,” and “Friday the 13th,” he said.
At Saturday’s concert, all those in costume will be photographed in the lobby. Finalists will be selected, beginning at 7:15 p.m. by Russo. Winners will be selected in three categories – adult/general, youth (12 and under), and musician. A fourth winner will be determined by online voting on the WSO Facebook page the week after the concert.
As for the music, the audience will recognize some of the eerie expressions – “Night on Bald Mountain,” featured in Disney’s “Fantasia,” and “Music for Strings, Percussion and Celeste” from “The Shining” – and the evening will feature a new orchestration of “Rats in the Walls” by Graham Plowman. Plowman creates digital music. This is the first time an orchestra will perform the piece live. Debuting for the first time in Pennsylvania will be Ruth Crawford Seeger’s “Silent Scream of the Earth.”
In anticipation of the debut, “Discovering the Music of Ruth Crawford Seeger: One of the Founding Mothers of the American Avant-Garde” will be given by Charles Zotique at 2 p.m. Saturday at Citizens Library.
Ikach said the evening will be fun, and family-friendly.
“Every concert we do is kid-friendly,” said Ikach, who was still undecided on his costume. “We’re educating and nurturing the next group of music lovers in Washington.”
WSO’s “Scary Music”
Trinity Area High School Auditorium, 231 Park Ave., Washington
John Russo will judge a costume contest, starting at 7:15 p.m. Saturday, followed by the concert at 8.
Tickets are $17 and can be purchased at washsym.org or by calling 1-888-71-TICKETS, or at Citizens or Peters Township libraries.