The Central Iowa Symphony will open its concert season with flair.  

A new conductor -- the sixth in the community orchestra's 19-year history -- will take the podium October 8 to direct an original piece composed just for the occasion. 

Iowa State University assistant professor Christopher Hopkins has written "Fanfare and Fantasies" for his colleague, James Hannon, who will officially become Central Iowa Symphony's Music Director and Conductor. Hannon is director of orchestral activities at Iowa State University. 

"It's a very exciting piece," Hannon said. "The 11-minute overture begins with a brass fanfare then later elaborates on those ideas in a grand way. I'm bringing in extra players for this piece, including wind and percussion."

Hannon said "Fanfare and Fantasies" fits the celebratory theme for this program, which includes Mozart's Concerto No. 2 for Horn, a well known piece to herald the composer's upcoming 250th birthday, and Beethoven's No. 8 in F. Beethoven composed the symphony near the end of his life when he was totally deaf and isolated, yet the music is festive and somewhat light-hearted. 

Guest soloist for the Mozart concerto is Bret Seebeck, principal horn for the Des Moines Symphony and horn instructor at the ISU Music Department. 

The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Ames City Auditorium, 515 Clark Avenue. Concert Conversations, an informal discussion with Maestro Hannon about the program, will be at 6:45 p.m. in the Ames City Council Chambers. 

Tickets are $12 for adults, $11 for seniors (ages 65 years or older) and $5 for students of all ages. They are available at the door or at Big Table Books and Rieman Music in downtown Ames. Credit card orders can be placed by calling the Ames City Auditorium office, (515) 239-5360, during business hours. 

Tickets for the CIS season (four concerts) are $40 for adults and seniors, and $15 for students of all ages.  Patrons who purchase a season ticket also will receive a bonus: a complimentary ticket to one concert.