That was the promise made by Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony's music director, Edwin Outwater about the 2009 / 2010 Signature Series finale performance of Carmina Burana.  That was the promise delivered to breathless "spectators" on Friday and Saturday nights at the Centre In The Square; home of the K/W symphony.

Carmina Burana, written by Carl Orff, is music at its most elemental level; as such, a true crossover piece - a delectation of universal appeal. In a spectacle employing a packed proscenium of choirs and musicians, Carmina evokes the immediate, visceral themes of love, lust and libations.

Intensely moving as it climaxes, there is a physicality bordering on violence about this music, particularly evident in the hypnotic, swaying frenzy of the string section. One does not need extensive knowledge to enjoy Carmina Burana. The beauty of this music is that it requires of you only an open mind, a receptive soul and a willingness to deliver these to the collective energies of the "whole" - a mystical process by which you, too, become "initiate."

It was a brilliant close to the symphony's Signature Series concert season. In a melding of musical mastery, conductor, Edwin Outwater, combined the talents of the symphony with the Grand Philharmonic Children's Chorus and the Grand Philharmonic Choir. Into this volatile vortex, he added brilliant vocal soloists, countertenor, Brian Asawa, soprano, Carla Huhtanen, and baritone, Hugh Russell; all commanding stage presences, in turns poignant, humorous and raucous. With that, he achieved critical mass and swept away a mesmerized audience on an explosive musical wave of emotional catharsis.

The performance ended to an extended standing ovation; both audience and musicians unwilling to relinquish the euphoria of an evening that could only be described as "magical!" Happily, a precipitous end was not necessary as musicians, guests and officials mingled together in the ambient afterglow of a party held in the on-site lounge as a wrap-up to another hall-mark season.

The same inspired leadership has organized an exciting program for the coming season beginning in the fall of 2010. To find the concert series for you, visit their website: www.kwsymphony.ca/2010_11/ or phone 519-745-4711.

In the meantime, you can still obtain tickets (at above contact number or web site) for the symphony's very special performances this coming Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 8:00 pm at their home of Centre In The Square, Kitchener. They are inviting local and alien Trekkies to "beam down" and explore new sounds as they boldly go where few orchestras have gone before!  Trekkies or Trekkers in costume are most welcome!