MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
For Immediate Release: November 11, 2025
(Pictured from left to right: Ryan Murray, conductor; Tony DeSare, guest artist; Daniel R. Afonso Jr., chorus director, MSO Chorus, Modesto Symphony Orchestra)
Modesto Symphony Orchestra Celebrates the Holidays with Tony DeSare
Plus, the Holiday Candlelight Concert at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church
December 5 & 6, 2025 – Modesto Symphony Orchestra presents Holiday Pops! with Tony DeSare
December 16, 2025 – Modesto Symphony Orchestra presents Holiday Candlelight Concert at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church
MODESTO, CA - The Modesto Symphony Orchestra’s (MSO) holiday concerts offer fun for the entire family. Complete with holiday décor and your favorite carols, the MSO’s holiday concerts have become community favorites. The first of the MSO’s two holiday concerts is Holiday Pops! on Friday, December 6, 2025 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 2:00 pm at the Gallo Center for the Arts. Conducted by Principal Pops Conductor Ryan Murray, this lively and festive concert features Tony DeSare and the MSO Chorus. The Holiday Candlelight Concert is a more intimate concert held at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church on December 16, 2025 at 8 pm. Led by MSO Chorus Director, Daniel R. Afonso Jr., this traditional holiday concert that will also feature the MSO Chorus and the Opus Handbell Ensemble.
“I'm really looking forward to another Holiday Pops this year! It's one of my favorite concerts of the year and it’s always a great pleasure to share the stage with our amazing Modesto Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and to celebrate the Holiday season with our wonderful community!” says Ryan Murray, Principal Pops Conductor for the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. “I’m really excited to welcome Tony DeSare back to Modesto. He was the guest artist for my first ever Holiday Pops with the MSO! Named a rising star by Downbeat magazine, he’ll be bringing his unique jazz and blues style to our Holiday Pops this year. In addition to singing he’ll be performing at the piano as well, and I’m really excited for us all to experience his incredible musical style! As always, we’ll have a mix of new arrangements and traditional favorites and several fantastic features for our amazing Modesto Symphony Chorus. And of course we’ll have our wonderful MSO traditions like Sleigh Ride, our Sing-A-Long, and O Holy Night. I’m so excited for you all to hear the amazing program and I can't wait to see you there!”
Tony DeSare is a singer, pianist, and composer known for his infectious joy, wry playfulness and robust musicality. He has been a featured guest artist with over 100 symphony orchestras including the Cleveland Orchestra, The New York Pops, The San Francisco Symphony, The Houston Symphony, the Chicago Symphony. DeSare has four top ten Billboard jazz albums and has been featured on the CBS Early Show, NPR, A Prairie Home Companion, and the Today Show.
“We hope that both our Holiday Pops and Holiday Candlelight Concert can bring a little extra warmth and joy to our community,” says Caroline Nickel, President and CEO of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. “It’s a special feeling being able to take the time to slow down and spend time with friends and family during the holiday season and we are honored to be part of people’s holiday festivities and traditions.”
Modesto Symphony Orchestra presents Holiday Pops!
Friday, December 5, 2025 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 2 pm
Ryan Murray, conductor
Tony DeSare, guest artist
Modesto Symphony Orchestra
Modesto Symphony Orchestra Chorus, Daniel R. Afonso Jr., chorus director
Gallo Center for the Arts, Mary Stuart Rogers Theater
1000 I Street, Modesto
tICKETS
Pricing: Tickets start at $23
Ticketing Information:
Tickets are available online through ModestoSymphony.org or through the Gallo Center for the Arts Ticket Office at (209) 338-2100.
Gallo Center Ticket Office Hours: Monday through Friday 10:00am-6:00pm / Saturday 12:00pm-6:00pm
Group Prices available: Groups of 10+ receive a 15% discount on tickets. Call (209) 338-5064 for more information.
Modesto Symphony Orchestra presents Holiday Candlelight Concert
Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 8:00 pm
Daniel R. Afonso Jr., conductor
Modesto Symphony Orchestra
Modesto Symphony Orchestra Chorus, Daniel R. Afonso Jr., director
Opus Handbell Ensemble, Lisa Traughber, director
St. Stanislaus Catholic Church
1200 Maze Blvd, Modesto
Tickets:
Pricing:
Adult ticket pricing starts at $40
Youth ticket pricing starts at $10
Ticketing Information:
Tickets are available online through ModestoSymphony.org or through the Gallo Center for the Arts Ticket Office at (209) 338-2100.
Gallo Center Ticket Office Hours: Monday through Friday 10:00am-6:00pm / Saturday 12:00pm-6:00pm
Group Prices available: Groups of 10+ receive a 15% discount Standard Adult tickets. Call (209) 338-5064 for more information.
Artist Bios
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The Modesto Symphony Orchestra is a Resident Company of The Gallo Center for the Arts. The DoubleTree Hotel is the official hotel of the MSO.
