Guest conductors, a joint production with Western Canada Theatre and an evening of Elton John's music highlight what promises to be an eclectic season for the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra.

"It's going to be an exciting, very interesting season with colourful characters," said Kathy Humphreys, the symphony's general manager.

The 2012-13 season was officially rolled out Saturday before the KSO's season finale concert Absolute Grandeur. But Humphreys provided The Daily News with a sneak preview prior.

Among the characters she mentioned is Martin MacDonald, one of two guest conductors who will step in for KSO stable Bruce Dunn over three shows.

MacDonald, an award-winning conductor who previously served with Symphony Nova Scotia, leads the KSO on Oct. 27 with Affairs of the Heart, a violin concerto featuring Judy Kang.

"He's an energetic conductor with a lot of experience. He's an up-and-comer," said Humphreys.

Also sitting in for Dunn is Victor Sawa, a conductor with the Regina Symphony. Sawa treats audiences to two evenings of popular movie music March 15 and 16 with a show appropriately titled The Oscars.

Sawa will lead the KSO through themes from Jaws, Mission: Impossible, Harry Potter and more. Humphreys said Sawa likes to have fun with his audience, so it should be an entertaining night.

Bringing in guest conductors provides the KSO an opportunity to try something different, and gives Dunn some much deserved time off after 22 years of steady performances, she said.

Next season also marks the KSO's first collaboration with Western Canada Theatre as the two artistic entities come together for an elaborate presentation of Fiddler on the Roof from March 28 to April 13.

Humphreys said the production will provide audiences with all the music they love from Joseph Stein's classic story, and gives the symphony an opportunity to use the Sagebrush's brand new orchestra pit, which the KSO hasn't used yet in a musical.

The symphony partners with the band Jeans 'n Classics for Madmen Across the Water: The Music of Elton John on Nov. 16 and 17. Favourites like Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Your Song will be translated into full symphonic pieces with vocals by Jean Meilleur. Humphreys said the performance will appeal to any Elton John fan.

Longtime KSO fans needn't fear, next season also offers all the staples one comes to expect from the symphony including Christmas with KSO on Dec. 15 and 16, The Magic of Vienna on Jan. 11, 12 and 13, and the Mayor's Gala for the Arts on Jan. 21.

For a full list of 2012-13 shows go to kamloopssymphony.com.