Press Release: Modesto Symphony Orchestra Opens 95th Season
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra Association (MSOA) celebrates the opening of its 95th season on October 10 & 11, 2025 with Williams & Rachmaninoff at the Gallo Center for the Arts. The program will feature Turlock native, and frequent collaborator of John Williams, Timothy Loo performing Williams’ bold and expressive Concerto for Cello and Orchestra. The program will conclude with one of Rachmaninoff’s most popular works, his Symphony No. 2.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
For Immediate Release: September 23, 2025
(Pictured from left to right: Nicholas Hersh, conductor; Timothy Loo, cello)
Modesto Symphony Orchestra Opens 95th Season
Featuring the music of John Williams and Rachmaninoff
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra Association (MSOA) celebrates the opening of its 95th season on October 10 & 11, 2025 with Williams & Rachmaninoff at the Gallo Center for the Arts. The program will feature Turlock native, and frequent collaborator of John Williams, Timothy Loo performing Williams’ bold and expressive Concerto for Cello and Orchestra. The program will conclude with one of Rachmaninoff’s most popular works, his Symphony No. 2.
“I couldn't imagine a more thrilling way to open our 95th Modesto Symphony season than with this pairing of Williams and Rachmaninoff. The Rachmaninoff is one of those works whose lush, memorable melodies are only the tip of a symphonic iceberg, hiding an innovative scaffolding of harmony and counterpoint that creates layer upon layer of suspense and emotional catharsis. John Williams' Cello Concerto is a rarely heard gem from one of the world's most popular composers, combining his signature cinematic sound and the expressive possibilities of the cello in a format that allows Williams to spread his formidable wings in a way not possible in film scoring,” says Music Director Nicholas Hersh.
“I so look forward to performing with Timothy Loo in Williams' Cello Concerto,” Hersh continues. “Not only is Tim an intelligent and dynamic musician, he is a close colleague of Williams, having recorded many of his film scores—so he brings a keen insight into Williams' style and voice. This promises to be a truly electric collaboration!”
Modesto Symphony Orchestra: Williams & Rachmaninoff
Celebrating the Cinematic Sounds of Hollywood
Friday, October 10, 2025, at 7:30 pm
Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 7:30 pm
Nicholas Hersh, conductor
Timothy Loo, cello
Program:
John Williams: Concerto for Cello and Orchestra
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27
Gallo Center for the Arts, Mary Stuart Rogers Theater
1000 I Street, Modesto
TICKETS:
Pricing: Tickets start at $23
$15 student tickets are available in-person at the Gallo Center Ticket Office with a valid Student ID.
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.
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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.
Press Release: Branford Marsalis Joins the Modesto Symphony Orchestra for One-Night-Only Opening Night Concert!
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) proudly presents Branford Marsalis with the Modesto Symphony Orchestra led by Music Director Nicholas Hersh this October 5, 2024 at 7:00 pm at the Gallo Center for the Arts. The MSO kicks off their 94th season with acclaimed saxophonist Branford Marsalis. The evening’s program includes Marsalis performing Milhaud’s Scaramouche and John Williams’ Escapades from Catch Me If You Can. The program also features Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor and concludes with Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
For Immediate Release: August 30, 2024
(Pictured from left to right: Nicholas Hersh, conductor; Branford Marsalis, saxophone)
Branford Marsalis Joins the Modesto Symphony Orchestra for One-Night-Only Opening Night Concert!
Featuring the music of John Williams, Rachmaninoff, and more!
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) proudly presents Branford Marsalis with the Modesto Symphony Orchestra led by Music Director Nicholas Hersh this October 5, 2024 at 7:00 pm at the Gallo Center for the Arts. The MSO kicks off their 94th season with acclaimed saxophonist Branford Marsalis. The evening’s program includes Marsalis performing Milhaud’s Scaramouche and John Williams’ Escapades from Catch Me If You Can. The program also features Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor and concludes with Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances.
“Our Opening Night concert is propelled by the energy of movement, with two orchestral works inspired by dance: Borodin’s uproarious Polovtsian Dances, as well as the incredible Symphonic Dances by Rachmaninoff,” says Music Director Nicholas Hersh.
"Our featured soloist Branford Marsalis also brings us two spirited, rhythmically-driven works for saxophone and orchestra," Hersh continues. “Branford is a stupendous artist, who brings boundless energy to the music, and we can’t wait to collaborate with him!” Marsalis is a multi-talented, Grammy Award-winning saxophonist known for his virtuosity and versatility across jazz, classical, and popular music genres including notable performances and tours with Sting and The Grateful Dead.
Marsalis will be featured on two pieces: Scaramouche by French composer Darius Milhaud and John Williams’ Escapades from Catch Me If You Can. Scaramouche is a three-movement suite with French & Brazilian-inspired rhythms and themes, taken from incidental music Milhaud composed for two plays: Molière’s Le Médecin volant (The Flying Doctor) and Jules Supervielle’s opera, Bolivar. Marsalis will also be performing John Williams’ Escapades, a full symphonic work derived from the score of Steven Spielberg’s Catch Me If You Can.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: BRanford marsalis with the modesto symphony orchestra
Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 7:00pm
Nicholas Hersh, conductor
Branford Marsalis, saxophone
Program:
Alexander Borodin: Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor
Darius Milhaud: Scaramouche
John Williams: Escapades from Catch Me If You Can
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances
Gallo Center for the Arts, Mary Stuart Rogers Theater
1000 I Street, Modesto
TICKETS:
Pricing: Tickets start at $31
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.
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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.