Trans-Siberian Orchestra plots annual winter excursion

With summer at its peak, Trans-Siberian Orchestra is looking ahead to winter by announcing dates for the massive rock symphony's traditional holiday tour.

As usual, the 60-member-plus ensemble will split into two touring units during the trek, which will hit more than 80 cities across the US and Canada, kicking off Nov. 1 with shows in Council Bluffs, IA, and Youngstown, OH. About 50 cities will get both afternoon and evening performances on the same day. The tour runs through early January; details are included below.

Rock producer Paul O'Neill--the composer, lyricist and producer behind Trans-Siberian Orchestra--started the group in 1996 as an outlet for his rock operas, and tapped collaborators Robert Kinkel and Jon Oliva to form the core of the writing team. The players include a hard-rock band alongside a complete orchestra and a large ensemble of lead vocalists who cover everything from rock to classical to Broadway to R&B.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra has released a DVD and four CDs, the latest one being 2004's "The Lost Christmas Eve," which reached No. 26 on The Billboard 200. The band has also assembled all three of its holiday albums and "The Ghosts of Christmas Eve" DVD into "The Christmas Trilogy" box set. TSO's one non-holiday release is 2000's "Beethoven's Last Night."

Of recent note, the group continues to work on its next non-Christmas studio effort, which will be titled "Nightcastle" but still lacks a release date, according to TSO's website.