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. 

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:
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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

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.