Music will fill the night sky in Gainesville Saturday as the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra returns to The Arts Council for a 36th year.

Saturday's program will be led by ASO conductor Jere Flint, and will feature pieces composed by Tchaikovsky, Rossini, Wagner, Reznicek and Mozart.

"Some of the music you will hear will be familiar. Even if you don't necessarily know the piece or who wrote it, you'll probably recognize it from movies and cartoons," executive director of The Arts Council Gladys Wyant said.

"This is a long-standing annual event that people in the community look forward to. It's a performance by a world-class orchestra in our own backyard," Wyant said.

Wyant talked about her desire to expose a new audience to classical music.

"We need to continue to build an audience. So few young people have ever even attended an orchestral performance," Wyant said.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for the orchestra to reach audiences beyond Atlanta Symphony Hall," ASO vice president of orchestra initiatives and general manager John Sparrow said in an email.

"We are looking forward to performing in Gainesville, and are very appreciative of the support we have received from The Arts Council," Sparrow said.

According to a press release from The Arts Council, the Orchestra's performances in Gainesville have been "nothing short of impressive, making audiences leap to their collective feet bravo-ing in many elated instances."

What makes these performances spectacular is that they are open-air, under the moonlight.

According to Wyant, the venue can accommodate a few thousand fans, and there are still plenty of tickets available.

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will perform at 8 p.m. on Saturday, at the Smithgall Arts Center Lawn. Individual tickets are $35 for adults, $32 for seniors and $28 for children. Tables for 8 can be secured for $320.

The gates will open at 6 p.m. Lawn chairs, blankets, beverages and candles are all welcome.

For more information and to purchase tickets call 770-534-2787, or visit online.