Modesto Symphony Orchestra Celebrates 95th Anniversary with Fundraiser at the State Theatre
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
For Immediate Release: March 2, 2026
Modesto Symphony Orchestra Celebrates 95th Anniversary with Fundraiser at the State Theatre
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra Association (MSOA) will host a fundraiser to celebrate their 95th Anniversary on April 10, 2026 at 7:30 pm at The State Theatre. The evening will feature a chamber orchestra performance by the Modesto Symphony Orchestra, led by Music Director Nicholas Hersh, and violinist Amaryn Olmeda on Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. All proceeds from the event will support the MSOA’s music education programs including the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra, the Link Up program, as well as a free performance for local students held earlier in the week with Ms. Olmeda and MSO performing selections of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons.
“Reaching our 95th anniversary is a remarkable milestone made possible by the continuous support of our community,” said Laura Bream, Chairperson of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra Association Board of Directors. “We hope you’ll join us as we celebrate our 95th Birthday and help ensure that music education remains accessible to students across our community for years to come.”
“Music education has always been at the heart of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra,” said Caroline Nickel, CEO of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra Association. “For 95 years, this community has seen how powerful live orchestral music can be in shaping young lives and strengthening our region. Our 95th Birthday Celebration will honor that legacy while directly supporting music education programs that give students meaningful, inspiring experiences with orchestral music and help nurture a lifelong love of the arts.”
Tickets for the event will range from $83 to $265. A pre-concert party at The State Theatre’s Intermission and The Jewel are included in the $265 ticket.
Modesto Symphony Orchestra: 95th Birthday Celebration and Fundraiser
Friday, April 10, 2026, at 7:30 pm
Nicholas Hersh, conductor
Amaryn Olmeda, violin
The State Theatre
1307 J Street, Modesto
TICKETS:
Pricing: $83 - $265
A pre-concert party at The State Theatre’s Intermission and The Jewel are included in the $265 ticket.
Ticketing Information:
Tickets are available online through ModestoSymphony.org or through The State Theatre Box Office.
The State Theatre Box Office Hours: 12:00pm-3:00pm Monday through Friday and 30 minutes before a movie starts.
BIOGRAPHIES
ABOUT THE MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION
The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) was founded in 1931 by Frank Mancini, Malin Langstroth, and Leonard Fristrom, who worked with local leaders to establish a musical and cultural focal point. In its early years, the MSO featured its members as soloists and performed concerts in churches, high schools, and colleges.
As the orchestra matured, professional soloists and community choruses performed with the MSO. The 1970’s through 1990’s were a period of transition as the MSO became a fully professional orchestra in 1977. New innovations developed, such as pops concerts, the formation of the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra in 1976, and the first Picnic at the Pops in 1994. The 21st century marked further growth with the formation of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra Chorus in 2001 and becoming a resident company of the Gallo Center for the Arts when their doors opened in 2007.
Each season, the MSO performs five classics concerts and three pops concerts at the Gallo Center for the Arts and produces two community favorites, Picnic at the Pops at the GALLO grounds and the Holiday Candlelight Concert at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church. Through its education and community engagement programs, the MSO is able to reach thousands of students each year by working closely with local schools and providing free or low-cost opportunities to experience classical music.
The 2025-26th season marks the Modesto Symphony’s 95th season. The MSO continues to strive to enrich and enhance the community by bringing music of the highest artistic caliber and fostering lifelong music education and appreciation.
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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.