NORTH MANCHESTER — The Manchester Symphony Orchestra kicks off its 2019-2020 season on Oct. 28 at 5 p.m.

The fun begins at Cordier Auditorium on Manchester University’s North Manchester Campus. Selected scarecrows and painted pumpkins created by students from Manchester Elementary School will be on display in the lobby. Manchester University students will assist with activities, including cornhole and face painting.

Families do not have to worry about fixing dinner, the Art’s Que food truck will be outside Cordier. Food will also be available for purchase at campus eateries.

The concert beings at 7:30 p.m. and includes music from the Harry Potter franchise, “Phantom of the Opera” and the ever spooky “Night on Bald Mountain” by Mussorgsky.

The concert is part of the symphony’s larger effort to engage young people at concerts and in outreach efforts. For example, Manchester University music students will visit the elementary school before the concert to play some excerpts and talk about what makes a piece of music sound scary.

General admission is $15. MU students, staff and faculty get in free, as do youths 18 and younger. The symphony also distributes coupons that enable an adult who accompanies a child to be admitted at no cost.

Tickets are available at the door or at www.manchesteruniversityorchestra.com.