From a Real.Live.Guitar Hero, to the extraordinary feats of Cirque de la Symphonie and an emotionally moving world premiere this fall. 2009 has been a year to remember here at the Symphony. We look forward to everything the New Year has in store and in honor of this new chapter we invite you to take a quick look back with us in our MSO ’09 rewind. 
 
Wishing you all a very happy and joyous New Year!
-Your Modesto Symphony Orchestra

January

Are you the next MSO Guitar Hero? Guest Conductor Laura Jackson battles tournament winner Jonathan Murrillo, 16, during a face off on Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" at Best Buy on Sisk Road.

February

Music Director David Lockington & special guest Capital Public Radio host Michael Frost at the Modesto Symphony's annual Subscriber Soiree.

Guest violinist, Jessica Lee, brought the house to it's feet during her performance of the ancient love story Butterfly Lovers.

Patron's participating in the testing phase of our "Project Personal Concert Commentary". During the concert participants were given an iPods with audio commentary and insights from David Lockington that they could listen to while the orchestra played Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8 live on stage.

Music Director, David Lockington playing his cello during a special assembly for students at El Vista Elementary School.

June

What is the right music for a triangle pose or sun salutation? Perhaps Music Director David Lockington knows. Here David, on cello, is accompanied by Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra members Hannah Grace Prendez (flute) and Madeline Olson (harp) at a Modesto Symphony Yoga class for In-Shape City.

Christine Van Loo, performers her ariel routine over the talented musicians of the Modesto Symphony at the sold out Cirque de la Symphonie concert. What a way to end the 2008-09 Pops Series Season!

Elena Tsarkova brings new meaning to the idea of balance and poise with her amazing chair routine on stage during the Cirque de la Symphonie concert.

September

The orchestra and concert attendees placing the final touches moments before Michael Cavanaugh and his band take the stage with the MSO during Picnic at the Pops.

Neither rain or heat can stop Picnic at the Pops! The clouds dissipated in the early afternoon hours, making for a pleasant evening concert.

Guest pianist, Natasha Paremski, perfoming Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No.1 during our 2009-10 Opening Night concert.

Associate Conductor, Ming Luke, celebrated the opening of our 2009-10 Season by conducting the orchestra during the performance of Debussy's Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun.

October

Ghouls, goblins and monsters galore swarmed the plaza during our Spooktacular pre-concert activities and games at the Gallo Center for the Arts on Halloween.

Kids came dressed to the enjoy in all of the Spooktacular festivities decked out in their Halloween costumes. "Mr. Roboto" was one of the many youth entries into our annual costume competition.

Kids expressed their creativity by painting their pumpkins, donated from Perry & Sons, Inc.

November

Our new President & CEO, Thomas S. Smith, welcoming everyone to the World Beats event at Del Rio Country Club. The evening was a unique recital featuring performances from Music Director David Lockington, our November Guest Artist William Hill and his daughter Nadya.

William Hill and his daughter Nadya performing a special duet during World Beats.

Cello & Percussion. Music Director David Lockington and Guest Artist William Hill blend their two distinct and beautiful instruments during a special performance at World Beats.

Percussionist, composer & visual artist William Hill playing the Marimba during the MSO premiere of his piece Seven Abstract Miniatures.

December

Buzzing with activity, Holiday Pops patrons enjoied pre-concert performances in the lobby from the Suzuki Group, Expressions Chrildren's Choirs and a chance to win tickets to the Big Apple to see Steven Reineke conduct the NY Pops in Carnegie Hall.

Holiday Pops guest soloist Mike Eldred on stage at the Center.

Expressions Children's Chorale & Frosty on stage at Holiday Pops.

The Modesto Symphony Chorus on stage during Holiday Pops.

Holiday Pops is full of surprises and this year was no exception! Rudolph, Santa and Frosty awaiting backstage before their big entrance during the end of the concert.

Celebrating the joy of the season, Holiday Candlelight Concert patrons filled the pews of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church on December 22nd.

Associate Conductor, Ming Luke helping members of the Expressions Children's Chorale with last minute Holiday Candlelight Concert preparations at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church.

Members of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra Chorus gathering before the Candlelight performance.

The Expressions Children's Chorale led by Associate Conductor, Ming Luke.

Music Director, David Lockington and the Modesto Symphony Orchestra during the Holiday Candlelight Concert.

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Special thanks to our talented photographers Adrian Mendoza, Andy Edwards and Katie Rossi for capturing the magic of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra this year. 

With Thanksgiving right around the corner and our December rapidly approaching it seems that life is in overdrive. Take a moment to reflect and enjoy the simple pleasures of the season.  We hope you enjoy this special guest blog from our Holiday Pops vocalist, Mike Eldred. He will be here in Modesto sooner than you think!  

It's that time of year!

You know....when the world falls in love and every song you hear seems to say "Merry Christmas, may your New Year dreams come true."

Come on....you know what I'm talking about. Don't act like you're not interested!

I LOVE this time of year...and I LOVE that I get to perform with the fabulous Steven Reineke and two spectacular symphonies: Modesto, CA and Long Beach, CA. Don't miss it! Please come. I can promise you that festive and merry times will be awaiting you if you join us.

I always love standing in front of an orchestra and singing songs that bring joy, love, peace, hope...etc. It is TRULY the greatest gift I could have ever been given to be able to appear before an audience and sing the songs of the season. I am the most fortunate guy on earth...I admit it.

I'm so looking forward to this Holiday season. Thanksgiving will be here before we know it and then the Christmas decorating will begin. I know, it's hard to believe...just let it be. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the fact that this year is coming to an end. So many people around the globe will be thrilled to know that the hardships of 2009 are over....and that life will begin anew very VERY soon!

Peace to you all.

Mike

Music can uplift and inspire the soul. For Michigan composer, Alexander Miller it has been his motivating force throughout his life but especially during his recovery from brain surgery earlier this month.  Alexander’s new piece “Remix in D”, commissioned by conductor and long time friend David Lockington, will make its World Premiere at our concert next week.
 
Alexander has been anticipating this concert for almost a year now.  The piece, inspired by Pachelbel’s Canon in D, is an entirely new creation inspired by the familiar composition. However a few days ago he received some derailing news. The brain tumor he had previously been treated for has returned.  Doctors are urging him to undergo surgery once more which could possibly prevent him from attending the world premiere of his work. 

Alexander has not given up hope and had blogged extensively on his many joys and discoveries during his journey through recovery at www.husbandamused.com.  “Don’t think for one moment that I have been dealt a bum hand in life, because I  have not,” he wrote in his blog “I am blessed… that I am loved by the people I feel love for.”

Our thoughts and well wishes go out to Alexander and his family. For more information about Alexander Miller, his music and the upcoming concert be sure to catch the in-depth feature in today’s Modesto Bee.

• Related Links
  
  "MSO concert set as goal as composer battles brain tumor"
  Lisa Millegan, Modesto Bee  - Friday, Oct. 30, 2009
  
  Alexander Miller's Blog - husbandamused.com
  Click above to read Alexander's muses about his daily interactions with his wife and his dog during his recovery from brain surgery. 

National Philanthropy Day is a special day to honor the individuals and groups who have enriched our region through their outstanding enthusiasm, work and to philanthropy and volunteerism. At this year’s awards luncheon, co-hosted by the Modesto Rotary and the Yosemite Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, our very own Robert “Bob” Saunders was awarded the honor of “Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser”.

Bob has served on our Board of Directors for over eight years, four of them in the role of secretary. Over the years he has contributed more than just financial and in-kind resources. He has bestowed our organization with his knowledge, passion for music and countless hours of volunteerism.

Whether it is providing housing for musicians in his home, transporting guest artists, supplying treats for musicians during rehearsals or selling tickets for the Youth Orchestra-Bob is always here to support the Symphony. Bob inspires others to their own calls to philanthropy through the sincerity with which he gives, and the modesty with which he does it.

The Modesto Symphony Orchestra would like to recognize Bob Saunders for his extraordinary kindness, generosity and can-do spirit. Congratulations on your Award!

While the Modesto Symphony may go on hiatus for the sizzling months of July and August many of our talented musicians are still hard at work honing their craft and blazing new trails in contemporary music. Nicky Roosevelt, French Horn, spent two weeks of her summer playing with the Cabrillo Festival in Santa Cruz. Here is a brief note from her summer travels:
__________________________________________________________________________

Hi Folks,

Hope you had a good summer. I've just returned from playing 2 weeks with the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music in Santa Cruz along with 2 other Modesto Symphony musicians Forrest Byram, tuba and Drew Ford, cello.  Every summer, some 75 of us gather from around the country to play the music of living composers, many of whom join us, working together to bring their vision to life.  It is exciting to find out what the music will sound like, as most pieces have not been recorded, and some never played either here on the West Coast or even the world.  The audiences are treated to a unique experience that is created right there for them, and they often have the opportunity to talk with the composers about how the music came about. 

We are like the pioneers who explored the West, never knowing what is around the corner. There are challenges to meet (the music often has technical difficulties for musicians to conquer), and there is the thrill of achieving something together as a team.  The audience gets to travel to new sound territory that is not like any they've heard before.  I love Brahms and Mozart, but just like it's fun to travel to see new places, it's great to hear new things. 

I look forward to finding out what David has in store for us this season. It's always a pleasure to join with you at the Gallo Arts Center for a wonderful musical adventure.

See you in September!
Nicky Roosevelt

 

This is an exciting time of year as the season begins to turn and our new fall routines start to emerge. I always relish the anticipation of hearing the first rehearsal of the year. It’s often slightly different from what I remember: it sounds louder, I hear more threads of tone searching for harmonious partners across the orchestra and most importantly I feel that subtle, yet powerful impulse to communicate through music.

It makes one feel very vulnerable at first- you feel exposed and a little too self-revelatory but after a while it’s the universal in the vision of the composer that starts to dust itself off and a true voice begins to sing and declaim and whisper all the difficult and radiant truths about being human.

Most of the time I say: warmer, softer....softer,  more vibrato, sing through the line, listen, more attack but really it’s the composer entreating us through the notes not to give up, believe, rest, look harder and pass it on.

What’s great about music is that when we talk about it we all have a different revelation. It may evoke a memory, a shadow of emotion unexpressed, a philosophical insight or a spiritual path to follow. And equally it may provide relief from pain and suffering or even make us laugh. The beauty of it is that it meets you where you are, brings you to yourself and out of yourself. Ultimately I think it has the power to support us on a journey to wholeness.

In uncertain times, as things change, as seasons change, we can so easily become fearful about the future. I am so grateful that we have music to help us stay open to rediscover the world around us and within us. We are all reaching for harmonious partners of one sort or another and through the threads of tone running through us from the orchestra we may gain an additionl measure of comfort and strength.  

-DL

The administration of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra has been asked to present a special session at the National Arts Marketing Project (NAMP) Conference.  Caroline Nickel and Clay Campbell of the MSO staff, along with MSO market research consultant, Surale Phillips, will be speaking at the NAMP Conference to be held in Providence, Rhode Island in November.  The conference is hosted by the National Arts Marketing Project which offers information, tools and practical ideas to design high-quality, cost-effective marketing programs for arts organizations.  National Arts Marketing Project is managed by the Arts & Business Council of Americans for the Arts, the nation’s leading non-profit organization for advancing the arts in America.

Their presentation, “Thinking Outside the Creative Circle: Non-Traditional Partnerships for PR Power” was chosen based on the MSO’s innovative community collaborations–in particular programs like our Guitar Hero competition, Symphony Yoga and Young Idol. 

Meet the Panelists
Clay Campbell has served as Director of Community Engagement for the Modesto Symphony Orchestra since March 2008. Clay has developed new initiatives and community partnerships strategically aimed at broadening and diversifying MSO audiences.  His programs engage sponsors, businesses, nonprofits and civic leadership. Mr. Campbell has previously held positions with the Walton Arts Center, North Arkansas Symphony and Thomas-York Inc.  Mr. Campbell holds a Bachelor’s in Music from the University of Arkansas, where he graduated cum laude.

Caroline Nickel is the Director of Marketing and PR for the Modesto Symphony Orchestra.  Ms. Nickel has helped the MSO transition into a new hall, re-position itself in the community, and build a positive organizational brand.  Ms. Nickel has 20 years experience in both profit and nonprofit sectors, including positions with Henderson Land, Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network and The Gallo Center for the Arts.  She received her Bachelor of Commerce (Honors) from University of Manitoba, Canada.

Surale Phillips helps arts organizations reach new audiences and better serve existing ones by  understand what cultural customers value and what’s keeping potential patrons away. She partners with clients to design, execute, and interpret research with practical applications. Based out of Bozeman, Montana, she has served clients for 19 years from coast to coast and across all disciplines and sizes.

Greetings Modesto!

Well, I hope that your summer is going well.  It's been a busy one for me, planning and getting ready for the upcoming season for the Modesto Symphony, as well as the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra. 

Planning for the season of a youth orchestra can be quite challenging, especially since a significant portion of the membership changes from year to year.  Students graduate, new students join, and more significantly, each of the members grows and changes from year to year.  It's a completely different orchestra not only from year to year, but also from concert to concert.  In addition to that, the make up of the orchestra can change from year to year (or even concert to concert).  This past season we had a harpist, one violist, and only a single percussionist in addition to the normal instrumentalists in an orchestra.  As a result, I was challenged to find repertoire that didn't have too much percussion, didn't have significant viola section solos, but that had interesting harp lines!  On top of all of that, the music must be challenging and interesting for all the other sections in the orchestra! It becomes a great puzzle that can be very difficult to navigate. 

This year we have fewer brass and wind players, but a large number of violinists.  What repertoire will we be performing?  Why, you'll just have to attend our concerts to find out! 

 - Ming

• Related Links
  
  MYSO Auditions
  Click above to learn more about the Audition process & how you can become a part of the MSYO!
  

It was a hot Friday morning, the day before the Fourth of July, and the Alexander Cohen Hospice House was hushed amidst the summer heat rolling in from the nearby orchards. Suddenly, but gently, the strains of a lone violin drifted through the hallways, stopping those who overheard the lovely music playing from a patient’s room nearby. The music wasn’t piped in or playing on a radio station, but a live concert and last gift from one violinist to another. 

Sidney Voight grew up with a passion for classical music. Born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin in 1914, Sidney began playing the violin in the fourth grade after his mother enrolled him in music classes. As Sidney grew up, his love for music and the violin grew and became a profession. In his early twenties, Sidney travelled West with his young wife Beatrice and played in big bands along the way to make a living.

In 1946, Sidney  and Beatrice moved to Modesto, where he taught music in local school districts for over 30 years, retiring in 1976. Throughout the years, Sidney shared his appreciation for music and particularly the violin to his students, peers and the community at large. In the 1950’s, Sidney was recruited by Frank Mancini to join the Modesto Symphony, eventually taking on the role of Concert Master for a period of time. It was a connection that would eventually come full circle during the last days of Sidney’s life.

Although Sidney and his wife did not have any children, they had several close nephews and family members. It was Sidney’s nephew Bob Kaiser who was at Sidney’s bedside during those last days of Sidney’s life at the Alexander Cohen Hospice House. Bob remembers visiting Sidney at his home during the last few years, and watching Sidney pull out a tape from his large collection of concerts. According to Bob, those tapes helped Sidney remember his life story and experiences.

“Sidney used to sit at his kitchen table, tilt his chair back and close his eyes,” said Bob. “I know that in those moments, he was remembering events from his life triggered by the music.” When Hospice House Social Worker Kristi Smith learned of Sidney’s professional past as a violinist, she suggested a live concert in his room. Bob recalled his surprise at the suggestion, and his eventual awe when the impromptu concert happened shortly thereafter. Sidney’s private concert was the result of a recent informal collaboration between Community Hospice and the Modesto Symphony. 
 
Many dying patients respond to music because hearing is one of the only senses to remain at the end of life. With this in mind, both organizations agreed that when possible, they would partner to bring music to patients who request it at the end of life. As Modesto Symphony violinist Don Grishaw began to play in Sidney’s room, Bob remembered these earlier kitchen scenes.

“When the music started, I knew that Sidney could hear everything and comprehended what was happening,” said Bob. “Sidney opened his eyes periodically and had a small smile on his face. I really believe Sidney was remembering scenes from his life. It was beautiful to witness.”

Don Grishaw was just as awed by the experience.

As for Sidney’s concert, Bob Kaiser videotaped the entire episode and played it over and over again for Sidney on his laptop at his bedside. Sidney passed away the next day, on Saturday, July 4th, to the strains of lone violin playing nearby.

• Related Links
  
  "As Violin Swells, a Life Devoted to Music Fades"
  Jeff Jardine, Modesto Bee  - Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009
  
  Community Hospice Website
  Click above to learn more about this great community resource 

Well, I can't believe my first full season in Modesto Is coming to a close.  My first season with a titled position at any orchestra in fact.  I am so greatful for the opportunity that the Modesto Symphony has given me by having me as the Principal Pops Conductor.  For those that don't know, since the orchestra here gave me a titled position, I have been named Associate Conductor of the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Principal Pops Conductor of the Long Beach Symphony and most recently Music Director of the New York Pops.  I believe this is all due to this first position in Modesto.  For that, I will be forever grateful! 

Thanks to everyone for your enthusiastic support this season.  I have had a wonderful time presenting concerts here and am so impressed with the communities excitement over our Pops series.  I'm really excited to be back in September to start a new season with a great show at Picnic with the Pops!  Now I must do my final preparations for the Cirque de la Symphony show tonight.  Time to put the tux back on!  I'll be giving updates from time to time about my travels around the country so check back to see what's going on.  Can't wait to see you all next season.  We have a great one lined up for all of you! 
 
Best Wishes,
 
Steven

• Related Links
  
  Getting to Know the Man Behind the Music -  Steven Reineke 
  De Cristo Productions - December 2009
  
  More photos from the MSO's Cirque de la Symphonie performance
  The Photoblog of Adrian Mendoza