MERRILLVILLE | "A Twist on Tradition," a documentary on the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra, debuts at 8 p.m. today on Lakeshore Public Television, with encore performances at 8 p.m. Sept. 26 and 8 & 10:30 p.m. Sept. 28.

A Lakeshore Public Television production, "A Twist on Tradition" explores the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra - an organization that has served as a major cultural force for the region for more than 60 years. This locally produced 30-minute documentary was produced and directed by Paul Nelson with Lakeshore Public Television.

For the first time, a program immerses viewers in the dynamic world of classical music in Northwest Indiana and the life of NISO musicians, with interviews, rehearsal and performance footage. The show highlights the organization's past, present and future goals while exploring what makes the symphony unique within the larger context of classical music in the U.S.

"A Twist on Tradition" follows a core group of film participants, from Music Director/ Conductor Kirk Muspratt to past and present musicians to important community facilitators, as they tell the story of NISO.

"The Northwest Indiana Symphony opened me up to this great world of music, probably in the same way they have for a lot of people in Northwest Indiana. I found out that this symphony has one of the best talent pools in the country from which they recruit. It has really come a long way from a community ensemble to an exceptional professional orchestra," said Nelson.

Funding for this production was provided in part by Strack & Van Til.

Lakeshore PTV can be viewed over the air and on satellite through DirecTV and Dish Network on Channel 56, on cable channel 17 in most Northwest Indiana communities, and on 17 and 21 in Chicago and its suburbs. For more information, call (219) 756-5656 or visit www.LakeshorePTV.com.

- For The Times