October 20, 2026 – Millikin University’s Percussion Ensemble will celebrate 20 years of its annual Halloween concerts with three performances October 29 and 30 at Albert Taylor Theatre on the university campus.
The family-friendly concerts will take place in Albert Taylor Theatre in Shilling Hall, a venue known for its campus ghost story involving the Rail Girl, a young girl said to haunt the theater’s balcony and disrupt performances unless three pieces of candy are left for her.
This year’s program includes spooky percussion works such as “The Wolf and the Seven Kids” by Chicago-based composer Michelle Isaac and “Doomsday Machine” by Michael Burritt. The ensemble will also perform novelty pieces, including “Nocturne” by Mattias Wettl and “Just Buckets” by Brian Justison, professor and director of Millikin’s School of Music.
Audience members are encouraged to attend in Halloween costumes. Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes, including in an adult category.
Proceeds from the concerts will benefit Millikin’s Percussive Arts Society Club, helping support students attending the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Indianapolis. The annual four-day event brings together drummers, solo performers, orchestral musicians, educators and percussion ensembles for concerts, clinics, presentations and student competitions.
The Halloween concert is the percussion ensemble’s signature event, comparable to the annual Vespers concert for Millikin’s choirs.
Performances are scheduled for Thursday, October 29, at 7:30 p.m., and Friday, October 30, at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $15 per person, and Millikin students may attend free with a valid university ID. For tickets, contact the Kirkland Fine Arts Center at 217-424-6318.
