Adrienne E. Wiley, CMU professor of music, is a performer who hopes to hear her audience booing.
Not in that way. “Boo!,” like a Halloween ghost might shout from a hiding place.
“PipeScreams” is the theme for her pre-Trick or Treat show at 4 p.m. on Oct. 29 at First Presbyterian Church, 805 Center in Bay City.
There is no need for Sunday-best formal attire. Professor Wiley, for the first time during her 26-year faculty tenure with the Central Michigan University School of Music, will appear at the keyboard as a cat, and who knows what types of spooky dress-ups her musical friends may display?
In fact, attendees are encouraged to follow suit, young ones and grownups all the same.
A handbill advertises a “silly and family-friendly program.”
Wiley’s specialty is piano, not only teaching classrooms of future teachers, but also offering one-to-one lessons. She for sure has not encountered boos during her years of concert performances, but she is looking at this venture as something different.
Her main organ experience is at her hometown church, Memorial Presbyterian in Midland.
At the same time, she also leads and organizes the Saginaw Valley chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and so for Sunday’s show, she will be leaning toward the haunting, prolonged sounds of an electric keyboard. These will be similar to what old-timers and sitcom rerun viewers might hear on “Addams Family” or “The Munsters,” or on a drama like “Dark Shadows.”
If the audience feels these music pros are simply goofing around at times, it will be because a good time is the intent. Some keyboard comedy may come into play, similar to cartoon malaprops in “Felix the Cat” or “Tom and Jerry,” but the performers generally will keep it straight during the sing-alongs.
“It’s serious and not-so-serious,” Adrienne summarizes.
First Presbyterian is located in the historic area on the edge of Bay City’s downtown. To avoid the toll bridges, take River Road (M-13).
Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for ages 10-17 and free for the smaller tricksters. Connect with Professor Wiley by email, wiley1ae@cmich.edu.
