The Auburn Symphony is tuning up for its 2010-2011 season.

The symphony kicks off its 23rd season with “Auburn Symphony in the Park — The Tradition Continues,” which takes place Sept. 18 at the Cooper Amphitheater in the Auburn School Park Preserve, behind city hall at College Way and Auburn-Folsom Road. The concert, which starts at 6 p.m., is absolutely free, family friendly and open to all.

“This is our gift because the Auburn community has supported us for years,” said Liz Briggs, Auburn Symphony vice president.

Last year’s “Auburn Symphony in the Park — A Tradition Reborn” drew some 800 listeners, and Briggs has high hopes for this year’s show.

“They were squeezed in all around the park preserve — people sitting on the lawn, people sitting on the rocks, people sitting in chairs,” she said. “It brings all Auburnites together.”

Attendees can expect to hear plenty of high-energy pieces including Tchaikovsky’s “Sleeping Beauty Waltz” and “Raiders March” from “Raiders of the Lost Ark.”

Shayne Plunkett’s pretty excited for the concert — he’s flying in from Boston for the show.

It’s going to be a special day for Plunkett, 19. The 2010 Colfax High graduate gets to hear the Auburn Symphony perform his “Soliloquy,” a composition he wrote for his senior project. The orchestra was slated to perform “Soliloquy” at the symphony’s Music on the Green earlier this year, but the event was cancelled due to rain.

“I’m more excited than nervous,” said Plunkett, now starting his freshman year at the Berklee College of Music. “I just want people to hear it.”

“Soliloquy” is roughly five minutes long.

“It’s almost like a stream of consciousness,” Plunkett said.

Briggs said the symphony is proud to bring “Soliloquy” to a live audience.

“It’s very exciting to have a young person who is so excited about symphonic sound,” she said of Plunkett. “He’s a very talented composer.”

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Auburn Symphony

Events are at the Placer High School auditorium unless otherwise noted. Contact the Auburn Symphony at (530) 823-6683 or auburnsymphony.com for ticket prices.

Auburn Symphony Chamber Players at the State Theatre: Mozart’s Little Night Music and Other Classical Delights

7:30 p.m. Oct. 2 (reception at 6:30 p.m.), State Theatre, 985 Lincoln Way

Maestro Presentation: Rachmaninov — Last of the Great Romantics

7 p.m. Oct. 16, Birdsall Mansion, Auburn

Dazzle and Romance

7:30 p.m. Oct. 23, 3 p.m. Oct. 24

Messiah Sing-Along

7:30 p.m. Dec. 7

Pastoral Delights

7:30 p.m. Jan. 15 and 3 p.m. Jan. 16

Maestro Presentation: Shostakovich — Music Beyond the Regime

7 p.m. March 5, Birdsall Mansion

KinderKonzert: "Imagine!"

11 a.m. Feb. 5

At the Mondavi: Russian Triumph

3 p.m. March 13, Robert & Margrit Mondavi Center for the Arts

Spring Songs — Summer Revels

7:30 p.m. April 16, 3 p.m. April 17

Auburn Symphony Chamber Players at the State Theatre: Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons

7:30 p.m. May 7 (reception 6:30 p.m.), State Theatre