Press Release: Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra Awarded “Community Possible” Grant from U.S. Bank Foundation
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra was recently awarded a $10,000 Community Possible “Play” grant from the U.S. Bank Foundation to support the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra (MSYO) and its students. U.S. Bank makes “Play” possible by investing in community programs that supports ways for children and adults to play and create.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / JUNE 16, 2022
Click to download high-resolution photos
Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra Awarded “Community Possible” Grant from U.S. Bank Foundation
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra was recently awarded a $10,000 Community Possible “Play” grant from the U.S. Bank Foundation to support the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra (MSYO) and its students. U.S. Bank makes “Play” possible by investing in community programs that supports ways for children and adults to play and create.
“We are honored to receive the U.S. Bank Community Possible ‘Play’ grant,” says Caroline Nickel, President and CEO of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. “The Modesto Symphony Orchestra and Youth Orchestra pride ourselves on music education and enriching our community through music. With support from the U.S. Bank Foundation, we look forward to strengthening the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra and continuing to challenge and inspire our students.”
Through the U.S. Bank Community Possible “Play” grant, the MSYO will boost its recruitment efforts to reach more students and fully represent our community’s diversity. The “Play” grant will help the MSYO offer more students an equitable playing field by providing more scholarships, specialized coachings, develop students’ musicianship and their teamwork, discipline, and problem-solving skills.
“We believe communities are stronger when they are connected through the arts and cultural opportunities,” said Brian Hogan, U.S. Bank North and Central California market leader. “We’re proud to support the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra’s efforts to provide youth musicians of all backgrounds the opportunity to share their talents and enrich the community through music.”
About the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra
Founded in 1976, the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra (MSYO) serves over 100 young musicians and their families from more than 40 public and private schools in the Central Valley. Led by a deeply engaged leadership team, the youth orchestra attracts a diverse group of outstanding musicians. Members are presented with the opportunity to share their gift of music in an inspiring and challenging orchestral setting alongside their peers from all social, economic, cultural, and geographical backgrounds. As a program within the Modesto Symphony Orchestra Association, members also have the invaluable experience of interacting with our professional musicians, conductors, and visiting guest artists through workshops, side-by-side performances, and clinics.
The MSYO serves students of varying skill levels and is made up of two full-orchestra (strings, winds, and percussion) groups: MSYO Concert Orchestra (Grades 5-9) and the MSYO Symphony Orchestra (Grades 9-12). Both ensembles perform a three-concert series at the Gallo Center for the Arts throughout the season. In addition to the Gallo concerts, both orchestras also perform in and around the region. The MSYO Concert Orchestra has toured San Francisco, Sacramento, and the Central Valley. Each spring the Concert Orchestra tours through local elementary schools, providing free performances and advocating for the importance of music education. The MSYO Symphony Orchestra has also performed throughout the United States and world, including performances in England, France, Japan, Eastern Europe, Canada, and China. The Symphony Orchestra has previously partnered with the Napa Valley Youth Symphony to perform in the 2012 Mahler Festival in Vienna and for the 2014 New York Phil Young Composers workshop, where they performed at Carnegie Hall and in Central Park.
About U.S. Bank
U.S. Bancorp, with approximately 70,000 employees and $587 billion in assets as of March 31, 2022, is the parent company of U.S. Bank National Association. The Minneapolis-based company serves millions of customers locally, nationally and globally through a diversified mix of businesses: Consumer and Business Banking; Payment Services; Corporate & Commercial Banking; and Wealth Management and Investment Services. The company has been recognized for its approach to digital innovation, social responsibility, and customer service, including being named one of the 2022 World’s Most Ethical Companies and Fortune’s most admired superregional bank. Learn more at usbank.com/about.
###
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
Press Release: The Modesto Symphony Orchestra Classics Series Concert With Tabla Master And Youth Orchestra Season Finale
MODESTO, CA - The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) welcomes conductor Paul Haas to the podium for their concerts on May 6 & 7, 2022. The weekend’s program will open with Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture then the orchestra will feature Grammy-winner and tabla master, Sandeep Das, on Wijeratne’s Concerto for Tabla. The program will conclude with the powerful Symphony No. 4 by Tchaikovsky.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
(209) 523-4156
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / APRIL 14, 2022
Click to download hi-resolution images. (From left to right: conductor Paul Haas, Sandeep Das, Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra)
The Modesto Symphony Orchestra Classics Series Concert With Tabla Master And Youth Orchestra Season Finale
May 6 & 7 – MSO welcomes Grammy-winner Sandeep Das performs Wijeratne’s Concerto for Tabla and Music Director candidate Paul Haas on Wijeratne & Tchaikovsky performances.
May 7 – Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra performs Season Finale Concert
All students are invited to attend May concerts for free! Student ticket program generously sponsored by donors.
MODESTO, CA - The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) welcomes conductor Paul Haas to the podium for their concerts on May 6 & 7, 2022. The weekend’s program will open with Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture then the orchestra will feature Grammy-winner and tabla master, Sandeep Das, on Wijeratne’s Concerto for Tabla. The program will conclude with the powerful Symphony No. 4 by Tchaikovsky.
“We are thrilled to welcome Paul Haas to Modesto,” says Caroline Nickel, President and CEO of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. “Our concerts on May 6 and 7 are our last Classics concerts of the season and our opportunity to get to know Paul and see what it would be like if he were to be our next Music Director. Paul has great energy, enthusiasm, a clear passion for music, and we’re excited to see him work with the orchestra and get to know our region.”
Paul Haas is one the MSO’s Music Director Finalists, and the May 6 & 7 concerts will serve as a preview for the orchestra, staff, and community to get to know him. The MSO’s Music Director search officially started in 2018 with nearly 200 applicants and has since narrowed down to three finalists.
The Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra (MSYO) will perform their final concert of the season on May 7th. The MSYO is comprised of two orchestras with students ranging from grades 5 through 12 and is led by a deeply engaged leadership team. Their Season Finale concert will feature works by Vivaldi, Rossini, Mozart, and more. Learn more about the MSYO at ModestoSymphony.org/about-msyo.
The MSO is also excited to launch a free student ticket program for their May concerts. All students interested in attending with the MSO’s Wijeratne & Tchaikovsky concerts or the MSYO Season Finale Concert can attend for free. Free student tickets are available from the Gallo Center Ticket Office with a valid student ID. The MSO’s free student ticket program was generously sponsored by Dr. Phillip & Margaret Beck and Robert & Martha Falzone.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, Haas conducts Wijeratne & Tchaikovsky
Friday, May 6, 2022 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, May 7, 2022 at 7:30 pm
Paul Haas, conductor & Music Director Finalist
Sandeep Das, tabla
PROGRAM
Beethoven: Coriolan Overture, op. 26
Wijeratne: Concerto for Tabla
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4 in F minor, op. 36
Gallo Center for the Arts,
Mary Stuart Rogers Theater
1000 I Street, Modesto
TICKETS:
Pricing: $19 / 39 / 54 / 71 / 94
Free student tickets available at the Gallo Center Ticket Office, see student ticket information below.
Artist Biographies
MODESTO SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRA, SEASON FINALE CONCERT
Saturday, May 7, 2022 at 2:00 pm
Donald Grishaw, MSYO Concert Orchestra Conductor
Wayland Whitney, MSYO Symphony Orchestra Conductor
Program to include works by Vivaldi, Rossini, Mozart, and more!
Gallo Center for the Arts, Mary Stuart Rogers Theater
1000 I Street, Modesto
TICKETS:
Youth: Free! (See student ticket information below)
Adult: $14
Ticketing Information
Free student tickets available from the Gallo Center Ticket Office. Student tickets are only available in-person at the Gallo Center Ticket Office and with a valid student ID.
All student tickets for these performances have been generously sponsored by Dr. Phillip & Margaret Beck and Robert & Martha Falzone.
Regular priced tickets are available online through ModestoSymphony.org or through the Gallo Center for the Arts Ticket Office at (209) 338-2100.
Group Prices available: Groups of 10+ receive a 15% discount on tickets. Call (209) 338-5064 for more information.
Gallo Center Ticket Office Hours: Monday through Friday 10:00am-6:00pm / Saturday 12:00pm-6:00pm
All ticket holders must provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 test* taken within 48 hours of performance. Masks are recommended for all.
*Home tests are not accepted.
###
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
Press Release: Notice Of Artist Change: Pianist Alexander Korsantia To Perform With Modesto Symphony On April 1 & 2 Concerts
MODESTO, CA - The Modesto Symphony Orchestra will be joined by pianist Alexander Korsantia in place of Marika Bournaki for the April 1 & 2 performances of Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3. The program, led by conductor Dirk Meyer, will also include the MSO premiere of Golijov’s Sidereus and conclude with Brahms’ Symphony No. 1.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
(209) 523-4156
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / MARCH 23, 2022
Click to download high-resolution photos
Notice Of Artist Change: Pianist Alexander Korsantia To Perform With Modesto Symphony On April 1 & 2 Concerts
The MSO welcomes pianist Alexander Korsantia for a performance of Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3.
MODESTO, CA - The Modesto Symphony Orchestra will be joined by pianist Alexander Korsantia in place of Marika Bournaki for the April 1 & 2 performances of Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3. The program, led by conductor Dirk Meyer, will also include the MSO premiere of Golijov’s Sidereus and conclude with Brahms’ Symphony No. 1.
Alexander Korsantia is an award-winning pianist who has performed in many of the world’s major concerts halls and with orchestras including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony, and Israel Philharmonic. Korsantia is a native of the country of Georgia and is currently on faculty at the New England Conservatory in Boston.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, Prokofiev & Brahms
Friday, April 1, 2022 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, April 2, 2022 at 7:30 pm
Dirk Meyer, conductor & Music Director Finalist
Alexander Korsantia, piano
PROGRAM
Golijov: Sidereus
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, op. 26
Brahms: Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, op. 68
Gallo Center for the Arts,
Mary Stuart Rogers Theater
1000 I Street, Modesto
TICKETS:
Pricing: $19 / 39 / 54 / 71 / 94
$12 student tickets available at the Gallo Center Ticket Office. Students can purchase two $12 tickets with their student ID.
Tickets are available online through ModestoSymphony.org or through the Gallo Center for the Arts Ticket Office at (209) 338-2100.
Group Prices available: Groups of 10+ receive a 15% discount on tickets. Call (209) 338-5064 for more information.
Gallo Center Ticket Office Hours: Monday through Friday 10:00am-6:00pm / Saturday 12:00pm-6:00pm
All ticket holders must provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 test* taken within 48 hours of performance. Masks are recommended for all.
*Home tests are not accepted.
Artist Biographies
###
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
Press Release: Modesto Symphony Orchestra Performs Prokofiev & Brahms April 1 & 2
MODESTO, CA - The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) welcomes conductor Dirk Meyer to the podium for their concerts on April 1 & 2, 2022. The weekend’s program will open with the MSO premiere of Golijov’s Sidereus and feature Marika Bournaki on Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3. The evening concludes with Brahms’ Symphony No. 1.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
(209) 523-4156
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / MARCH 11, 2022
Click to download high-resolution photos
Modesto Symphony Orchestra Performs
Prokofiev & Brahms April 1 & 2
Program includes MSO premiere of Osvaldo Golijov’s Sidereus, Johannes Brahms’ Symphony No. 1, and Sergei Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 featuring pianist Marika Bournaki
MODESTO, CA - The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) welcomes conductor Dirk Meyer to the podium for their concerts on April 1 & 2, 2022. The weekend’s program will open with the MSO premiere of Golijov’s Sidereus and feature Marika Bournaki on Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3. The evening concludes with Brahms’ Symphony No. 1.
“We are excited to welcome Dirk Meyer to Modesto,” says Caroline Nickel, President and CEO of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. “Dirk briefly visited Modesto in 2019 when we were just starting our Music Director search and we were impressed with his strong artistic vision and attention to detail, and we’re excited for where that could take the MSO in the future. Our concerts on April 1st and 2nd will be his first time conducting our orchestra and we’re looking forward to seeing him work with the orchestra and how he connects with the community.”
Dirk Meyer is one of the MSO’s Music Director Finalists and the April 1 & 2 concerts will serve as a preview for the staff, orchestra, and community to get to know him. The MSO’s Music Director search officially started in 2018 with nearly 200 applicants and has since narrowed down to three finalists.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, Prokofiev & Brahms
Friday, April 1, 2022 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, April 2, 2022 at 7:30 pm
Dirk Meyer, conductor & Music Director Finalist
Marika Bournaki, piano
PROGRAM
Golijov: Sidereus
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, op. 26
Brahms: Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, op. 68
Gallo Center for the Arts,
Mary Stuart Rogers Theater
1000 I Street, Modesto
TICKETS:
Pricing: $19 / 39 / 54 / 71 / 94
$12 student tickets available at the Gallo Center Ticket Office. Students can purchase two $12 tickets with their student ID.
Tickets are available online through ModestoSymphony.org or through the Gallo Center for the Arts Ticket Office at (209) 338-2100.
Group Prices available: Groups of 10+ receive a 15% discount on tickets. Call (209) 338-5064 for more information.
Gallo Center Ticket Office Hours: Monday through Friday 10:00am-6:00pm / Saturday 12:00pm-6:00pm
All ticket holders must provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 test* taken within 48 hours of performance. Masks are recommended for all.
*Home tests are not accepted.
###
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
Press Release: Notice of Conductor and Program Change: Modesto Symphony Orchestra Welcomes Guest Conductor for March 4 & 5 Concerts
MODESTO, CA - The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) welcomes conductor Akiko Fujimoto to the podium for their concerts on March 4 & 5, 2022. The weekend’s program will open with George Walker’s Lyric for Strings and Korngold’s Violin Concerto which will feature Charles Yang. The program will conclude with Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
(209) 523-4156
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / JANUARY 31, 2022
Click to download high-resolution photos
Notice of Conductor and Program Change: Modesto Symphony Orchestra Welcomes Guest Conductor for March 4 & 5 Concerts
Conductor Akiko Fujimoto joins the Modesto Symphony for Korngold Violin Concerto and Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8
MODESTO, CA - The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) welcomes conductor Akiko Fujimoto to the podium for their concerts on March 4 & 5, 2022. The weekend’s program will open with George Walker’s Lyric for Strings and Korngold’s Violin Concerto which will feature Charles Yang. The program will conclude with Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8.
“We are excited to welcome Akiko Fujimoto to Modesto” says Caroline Nickel, President and CEO of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. “Akiko will be introducing our community to a beautiful piece named Lyric for Strings written by George Walker. Walker was the first African American composer to have won the Pulitzer Prize for Music and we are thrilled to be able to perform it alongside the Korngold Violin Concerto and Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8. We’re to also happy to welcome back Charles Yang who last performed with the MSO in 2017 with Time for Three”
Fujimoto will be replacing Keitaro Harada as he is unable to travel to the U.S. due to strict COVID-19 travel quarantine protocols in place in Japan. Harada has also withdrawn from the MSO’s Music Director Search. Fujimoto is currently the Music Director for the Mid-Texas Symphony and will be making her San Francisco Symphony debut in February 2022.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, KORNGOLD & DVOŘÁK
Friday, March 4, 2022 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, December 5, 2022 at 7:30 pm
Akiko Fujimoto, guest conductor
Charles Yang, violin
PROGRAM
Walker: Lyric for Strings
Korngold: Concerto in D Major for Violin, op. 35
Dvořák: Symphony No. 8
Gallo Center for the Arts, Mary Stuart Rogers Theater
1000 I Street, Modesto
TICKETS:
Pricing: $19 / 39 / 54 / 71 / 94
Tickets are available online through ModestoSymphony.org or through the Gallo Center for the Arts Ticket Office at (209) 338-2100.
Group Prices available: Groups of 10+ receive a 15% discount on tickets. Call (209) 338-5064 for more information.
Gallo Center Ticket Office Hours: Monday through Friday 10:00am-6:00pm / Saturday 12:00pm-6:00pm
All ticket holders must wear a mask AND provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 test* taken within 48 hours of performance.
*Home tests are not accepted.
Artist Biographies
###
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