Press Release: Modesto Symphony Orchestra and Ballet Folklórico Anáhuac Partner to Explore Dance and Music of Márquez’s Fandango
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
For Immediate Release: February 4, 2026
Photo courtesy of Ballet Folklórico Anáhuac
Modesto Symphony Orchestra and Ballet Folklórico Anáhuac Partner to Explore Dance and Music of Márquez’s Fandango
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) and Ballet Folklórico Anáhuac will partner to explore the dances that inspired Arturo Márquez’s “Fandango” in a pre-concert performance held before the MSO’s February 13 & 14, 2026 concerts: Scheherazade & Márquez’s Fandango.
Mexican composer, Arturo Márquez was inspired by his childhood memories of being raised in mariachi and huastecos music when composing his violin concerto, “Fandango.” The Fandango has roots in a popular Spanish partner dance but has since evolved when it moved to the Americas, where it can still be found in countries such as Ecuador, Colombia, and Mexico. For centuries, in Veracruz, Mexico, the Fandango has been a special festival that celebrates musicians, singers, poets, and dancers.
“Having Ballet Folklórico Anáhuac as a pre-concert performance creates a genuine connection between Márquez’s ‘Fandango’ and the music and dances that inspired it,” says Caroline Nickel, President & CEO of the MSO. “We hope this inspires our audiences’ imagination and creates an overall meaningful experience for the evening. We’re delighted to partner with Ballet Folklórico Anáhuac and share our love for culture, dance, and music with our community.”
“Ballet Folklórico Anáhuac is honored to collaborate with the MSO celebrating the powerful connection between music, culture, and movement,” says Liduvina Gonzalez, founder and executive director of Ballet Folklórico Anáhuac. “This partnership allows us to share the beauty of Mexican folkloric dance with new audiences while creating meaningful cultural experiences that bring our community together through tradition, history, and artistic expression."
The pre-concert performance featuring Ballet Folklórico Anáhuac will begin at 6:30 pm before each Scheherazade & Márquez’s Fandango concert this February 13 & 14, 2026 at the Gallo Center for the Arts. The concert begins at 7:30 pm and will also include performances of Margaret Bonds’ Montgomery Variations, Márquez’s Fandango featuring world-renowned violinist, Anne Akiko Meyers, and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade. The pre-concert performances will be free to all ticket holders.
Modesto Symphony Orchestra: Scheherazade & Márquez’s Fandango
Passionate Dances & Powerful Stories
Friday, February 13, 2026, at 7:30 pm
Saturday, February 14, 2026, at 7:30 pm
Nicholas Hersh, conductor
Anne Akiko Meyers, violin
Program:
Margaret Bonds: Selections from The Montgomery Variations
Arturo Márquez: Fandango
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade
Featuring a pre-concert performance by Ballet Folklórico Anáhuac at 6:30 pm
Gallo Center for the Arts, Mary Stuart Rogers Theater
1000 I Street, Modesto
TICKETS:
Pricing: $23-$103
$15 student tickets are available in-person at the Gallo Center Ticket Office with a valid Student ID.
The pre-concert performances will be free to all Scheherazade & Fandango ticket holders.
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.
BIOGRAPHIES
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 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.
Today, the Modesto Symphony continues to strive to enrich and enhance the community by bringing music of the highest artistic caliber and fostering lifelong music education and appreciation. The 2025-26 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.
Ballet Folklórico Anáhuac (BFA) was founded in 2005 by Liduvina Gonzalez and her son Cristobal Gonzales. What began as a small initiative quickly grew, and by 2009, BFA became a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the community and promoting the arts and culture.
BFA is committed to preserving and respecting Mexican traditions through the beauty of folklórico dance. Beyond cultural preservation, we offer youth and community members a positive and constructive outlet in an ever-changing world. We believe in the power of discipline, personal growth, and making a difference in every dancer’s life.
Our approach combines the strength and structure of traditional folk dance with a focus on confidence, character development, and community involvement. We recognize the unique abilities of each individual and provide opportunities for growth, new experiences, and future success.
At our core, we are rooted in authentic Mexican culture—ensuring that every dance remains traditional and original. At the same time, BFA evolves with the times, embracing current trends and styles within the ever-changing world of Latino folklórico.
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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.