The Toccoa Symphony Orchestra will offer its own version of March Madness at its midwinter concert at 4 p.m. March 18 in the Garrison Auditorium of the Georgia Baptist Conference Center.

The Toccoa Symphony is a full-sized orchestra of 50 -60 talented musicians lead by Conductor David Stufft.

It's a colorful concert full of emotion, Stufft said, with a theme that reflects the passion, anger, turmoil, riotous joy and fun of the pieces selected.

The opening piece by Richard Wagner is bold and brassy. Also included is Tschaikovsky's strident March from Symphony No. 6, first performed just nine days before his death. Tschaikovsky tore up his first draft in a fit of depression and took poison before penning the final version.

"Maestro Stufft leads us on a ‘madgical' musical journey," Symphony Board member Sharon Mahon said. "Each piece is jam packed with emotion, and we truly feel the audience will have a spirited, exhilarating experience."

Another highly emotional piece is "Band of Brothers," from the award-winning musical score for the HBO film. Historic Camp Toccoa on Currahee Mountain was the World War II training site for the "Band of Brothers," Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division.

Stufft says the audience is in for a fun surprise at the end of the concert with Haydn's "Finale from The Farewell Symphony."

Each piece the orchestra plays will be preceded by a brief commentary from Stufft, setting the scene and providing background.

Doors open at 3 p.m. Tickets are $7 in advance, on sale at the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce, Soque Artworks in Clarkesville or online. Tickets are $10 at the door. Children and students are free.

For more information, visit www.toccoasymphony.org or email toccoasymphony@gmail.com.