MSO Offstage Blog
Announcing Our New Music Director, Nicholas Hersh!
The Modesto Symphony Orchestra Association is excited to announce that our Board of Directors has named Nicholas Hersh as our next music director! Nick will be the ninth music director in our 93-year history, and we are eager to see how Nick’s artistic vision and passion for music education will raise the MSOA and our programs to new heights!
In Remembrance of Elizabeth Kidwell (1940-2023)
Elizabeth Kidwell was born in Fargo, ND and spent her early years in Evanston, IL where she began studying violin. When graduating high school, she was awarded a coveted scholarship to study in France at Fontainebleau with premier music teacher Nadia Boulanger. After completing her BA in music, Elizabeth moved to California and performed with the Peninsula Symphony where she eventually met her husband, Wayne. Elizabeth first performed with the Modesto Symphony in 1964 and won the MSO’s Young Artist competition in the 1965-66 season. Wayne’s higher education pursuits led them to Illinois for a time and upon returning to California, she regularly performed with the Modesto, Stockton, and Merced symphonies and the Fresno Philharmonic. Elizabeth was in the first violin section of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra and was a cherished member for nearly 50 years and will be greatly missed.
The Modesto Symphony Orchestra is dedicating this weekend’s performances to the memory of Elizabeth Kidwell.
