Break out your beer steins and your lederhosen for the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra’s first Oktoberfest!

Taking place on Oct. 18 at TCU Place, Oktoberfest marks the opening of the SSO’s Conexus Pops Series concert season. The concerts allow the SSO to host special events that draw in large crowds and give them the pleasure of enjoying the unbeatable experience of seeing an orchestra perform live — and Oktoberfest is shaping up to be one of the most unique evenings yet.

“Its featuring tons of hits that you’d hear if you traveled to Munich for Oktoberfest,” said SSO Executive Director Mark Turner. “Polkas, waltzes and famous pieces like ‘The Blue Danube’, ‘The Beer Barrel Polka’ and ‘The Clarinet Polka.’”

Conductor William Rowson, a Saskatoon-born musician and composer, will be featured at Oktoberfest along with tenor Michael Harris and recent University of Saskatchewan graduate and soprano Whitney Mather. Rowson’s work was showcased at the Toronto International Film Festival this year in the soundtrack for the film Big Muddy.

In addition to authentic German music, the SSO Oktoberfest will offer a selection of Deutschland-approved beer at $2 a sample and traditional German dance performances in the TCU lobby.

Held in partnership with the Saskatoon German Cultural Club, Oktoberfest is just one of nearly 30 concerts that the SSO hosts annually. This year their performances are centred around the theme Finding Our Prairie Voice — a Canadian-focused series that will feature 14 performers from Saskatchewan. A mixture of ambitious newcomers and seasoned musicians, the performers will include Nathan Berg — internationally acclaimed singer, Juno winner and Grammy nominee — and U of S alumni Gerard Weber, Spencer McKnight, Chelsea Mahan, Thomas Yu and Danika Loren.

One of the newest promotions that the SSO provides at their concerts are their under 25 tickets. This student-friendly option allows anyone under the age of 25 to purchase tickets on the day of the event of their choosing for just $15 — an excellent way to draw in a younger demographic to the orchestra’s performances.

“Its easy to see why the SSO has a growing under 35 [year old] audience,” said Turner. “This is not just a night out. It’s cultured and classy, it’s a great date night and it’s lots of fun. There is no substitute for seeing live music and nothing more powerful than a live orchestra.”

The SSO hopes to offer a unique source of entertainment for their audience as an alternative to Saskatoon standbys such as catching a movie at the Galaxy Theatre or attending a rock concert at O’Brians — and Oktoberfest is the perfect night on the town for anyone with an interest in music, German culture, dancing or a quality pint.

“Why go to another movie when you can see something epic?” Turner said.

Tickets for the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra’s Oktoberfest can be purchased online at tcutickets.ca or by phone at 306-975-7799.