What do Darth Vader and a dancing skeleton have in common?
Have you ever wondered exactly how a movie score gives you goosebumps? Or why certain chords make you want to check under the bed? This October, we are pulling back the curtain on the anatomy of a musical scare! Join members of the Gateway Festival Orchestra for a fun, family-friendly chamber concert at the University City Public Library.
Together, we’ll explore the sneaky ways composers use rhythm, silence, and surprising harmonies to send a shiver down your spine. We will be playing some of the most delightfully eerie music ever written, including: The swirling, skeletal sounds of Danse Macabre; the quirky and suspenseful Funeral March of a Marionette (best known as the theme from Alfred Hitchcock Presents); and the booming, iconic dread of Darth Vader’s Theme.
Whether you are bringing the kids for a fun autumn outing or you are a longtime music lover curious about how musical suspense works, this free mini-concert is the perfect way to get into the seasonal spirit.
When: Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 7:00 PM
Where: University City Public Library (6701 Delmar Blvd, University City, MO 63130)
Cost: 100% Free! No tickets are required—just bring yourself, your family, and maybe a little courage!
We can't wait to share some spooky musical surprises with you.