Spooktacular tonight

Bobbing his head and jamming to the music Andres Gaytan shows off his instrumental passion.

But Gaytan isn’t rocking out to heavy metal or demonstrating the actions of an intense lead singer, he’s preparing for the annual Spooktacular concert and as he plucks away at the strings of his bass, he can’t help but get lost in the classical sounds.

“I’m really passionate about music,” the 16-year-old high school junior said. “Since I was a baby, my dad played for me.”

Combined with the rest of the students in the orchestra, Gaytan will be producing southern sounds as the Satin Strings plays to guests at 7 tonight at the MCM Grandé Hotel FunDome.

“This is a time where our group gets to go out and perform for the community,” orchestra director Todd Berridge said. “They’ve come along quite a ways.”

Everyone, including Berridge will perform in costume for the spirit of Halloween and the music performed includes the Beatles, the rock band Coldplay and tunes from the motion picture “Titanic.”

“It’s a bunch of Western music,” 17-year-old senior cellist Haley Addington said. “I love performing for people.”

The Spooktacular is the biggest fundraiser for the orchestra, which over the years has performed at national events like presidential inaugurations. However, Berridge, a Permian orchestra alum himself, said this group is special.

“This group got very far, very fast,” he said. “They know exactly what they’re supposed to do.”