Press Release: Modesto Symphony Orchestra Presents Picnic at the Pops: The Music of Queen
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra proudly presents Picnic at the Pops! Windborne’s The Music of Queen this September 6, 2025 at 7:30 pm on the beautiful GALLO grounds. Picnic at the Pops! is a family-friendly outdoor concert that attracts thousands of music lovers from Modesto and the neighboring communities for an evening of music, dancing, and fun beneath the stars.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
(209) 523-4156
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
For Immediate Release: July 24, 2025
(Pictured from left to right Picnic at the Pops; Brody Dolyniuk, guest artist; Ryan Murray, conductor)
Modesto Symphony Orchestra Presents Picnic at the Pops: The Music of Queen
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra proudly presents Picnic at the Pops! Windborne’s The Music of Queen this September 6, 2025 at 7:30 pm on the beautiful GALLO grounds. Picnic at the Pops! is a family-friendly outdoor concert that attracts thousands of music lovers from Modesto and the neighboring communities for an evening of music, dancing, and fun beneath the stars.
This year’s Picnic at the Pops is a symphonic tribute to the Music of Queen! The program will showcase the exceptional talents of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra led by Principal Pops Conductor, Ryan Murray, and the extraordinary vocals of Brody Dolyniuk, performing some of Queen’s greatest hits including Under Pressure, Killer Queen, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Somebody to Love, Bohemian Rhapsody, and many more.
“Picnic at the Pops is more than just a concert, it’s a chance for friends and families to come together, relax, and enjoy an evening with a live orchestra under the stars,” says Caroline Nickel, President and CEO of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. “This year, we’re excited to honor the iconic music of Queen, with a program that will have everyone singing and dancing all night long. Picnic at the Pops is one of our favorite days of the year and we can’t wait to share it with you all!”
Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket, pack a picnic, and enjoy all that the event has to offer. Outside alcohol is prohibited; wine generously donated by GALLO and an assortment of beverages are available for purchase, with all proceeds benefiting the MSO. Those not looking to pack their own picnic may pre-order meals from Greens on Tenth, or purchase food on-site from The Sinaloense Food Truck and Yogurt Mill’s Froyo Truck. Full details on food offerings will be available on our website at ModestoSymphony.org/picnic.
Tickets for Picnic at the Pops! are on sale now, online, in-person, and over the phone through the Gallo Center Ticket Office. General Lawn tickets start at $45 for adults and $12 for youth under the age of 17. Reserved Lawn tickets start at $75 for adults and $20 for youth. Groups of 10 or more can receive a 20% discount on General Lawn Tickets.
Picnic at the Pops! is a true community concert, created for the community by the community. The MSO is seeking volunteers to join our Patron Experience Team and help make Picnic at the Pops a success. Volunteer duties include the setup and breakdown of the venue space, selling beverage tickets during the concert, and more. Visit ModestoSymphony.org/volunteer for more information and to sign up today.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: Picnic at the pops! Windborne’s the music of queen
Saturday, September 6, 2025
Grounds Open at 5:00 pm
Concert Starts at 7:30 pm
Ryan Murray, conductor
Brody Dolyniuk, guest artist
GALLO grounds: 600 Yosemite Boulevard, Modesto
TICKETS:
General Lawn Seating Starting at: Adults $45 / Youth $12
Reserved Lawn Seating Starting at: Adults $75 / Youth $20
Groups of 10+ save 20% on General Lawn Adult tickets. Youth prices for ages 4 through 17, 3 & under are free. Tickets are available online through ModestoSymphony.org or through the Gallo Center for the Arts Ticket Office in-person at 1000 I Street, Modesto or call (209) 338-2100.
Guest 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.
Picnic at the Pops! is generously sponsored by
Presenting Sponsors: GALLO, Porges Family Foundation
Headline Sponsor: Wille Electric Supply Company, Inc.
Concert Sponsor: Garton Tractor
Press Release: Modesto Symphony Orchestra's Picnic at the Pops Presents Dancing in the Street: Music of Motown
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra proudly presents Picnic at the Pops! Dancing in the Street: Music of Motown this September 7, 2024 at 7:30 pm on the beautiful GALLO grounds. Picnic at the Pops! is a family-friendly outdoor concert that attracts thousands of music lovers from Modesto and the neighboring communities for an evening of music, dancing, and fun beneath the stars.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
(209) 523-4156
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
For Immediate Release: July 26, 2024
(Pictured from left to right, top row: Ryan Murray, conductor; Chester Gregory, Crystal Monee Hall, Terron Brooks, guest artists; bottom row: Picnic at the Pops!)
Modesto Symphony Orchestra’s Picnic at the Pops Presents Dancing in the Street: Music of Motown
Featuring the music of Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, and more!
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra proudly presents Picnic at the Pops! Dancing in the Street: Music of Motown this September 7, 2024 at 7:30 pm on the beautiful GALLO grounds. Picnic at the Pops! is a family-friendly outdoor concert that attracts thousands of music lovers from Modesto and the neighboring communities for an evening of music, dancing, and fun beneath the stars.
This community event promises a full-evening symphonic tribute to the magic of Motown! The program will feature the exceptional talents of your Modesto Symphony Orchestra led by Principal Pops Conductor, Ryan Murray, and the mesmerizing vocals of Chester Gregory, Crystal Monee Hall, and Terron Brooks, performing smash-hits made famous by artists like Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops, Martha Reeves, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, the Temptations, and Stevie Wonder.
“Picnic at the Pops! holds a special place in our hearts not only because it is the MSO’s largest event of the season and our biggest annual fundraiser, but it is truly a beloved community tradition,” says Caroline Nickel, President and CEO. “We’re very excited to be moving and grooving to the music of Motown, and optimistic that we’ll have one of the best Picnics yet—keeping our fingers crossed for the weather to be on our side!”
Picnic at the Pops! is a true community concert, created for the community by the community. The MSO is seeking volunteers to join our Patron Experience Team and help make Picnic a success. Volunteer duties include the setup and breakdown of the venue space, selling beverage tickets during the concert, and more. Visit ModestoSymphony.org/picnicvolunteer for more information and to sign up today.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket, pack a picnic, and enjoy all that the space has to offer. Outside alcohol is prohibited; wine generously donated by GALLO and an assortment of beverages are available for purchase, with all proceeds benefiting the MSO. For those not looking to pack their own picnic, patrons may pre-order meals from Greens on Tenth, or purchase food on-site from The Sinaloense Food Truck and Yogurt Mill’s Froyo Truck. Full details on food offerings will be available at our website at ModestoSymphony.org/picnic.
Tickets for Picnic at the Pops! are on sale now, online, in-person, and over the phone. General Lawn tickets are $45 for Adults and $12 for Youth under the age of 17. Reserved Lawn tickets are $75 for Adults and $20 for youth. Groups of 10 or more can receive a 20% discount on General Lawn Tickets.
Tickets can be now be purchased by visiting the Gallo Center Ticket Office or calling 209.338.2100. Starting in August, tickets will also be on sale in-person at the Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock, and the MSO Office in Modesto. For more information and to buy tickets online visit ModestoSymphony.org/picnic.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: Picnic at the pops! Dancing in the street
Saturday, September 7, 2024
Grounds Open at 5:00 pm
Concert Starts at 7:30 pm
Ryan Murray, conductor
Chester Gregory, guest artist
Crystal Monee Hall, guest artist
Terron Brooks, guest artist
GALLO grounds: 600 Yosemite Boulevard, Modesto
TICKETS:
General Lawn Seating: Adults $45 / Youth $12
Reserved Lawn Seating: Adults $75 / Youth $20
Groups of 10+ save 20% on General Lawn Adult tickets. Youth prices for ages 4 through 17, 3 & under are free. Tickets are available online through ModestoSymphony.org or through the Gallo Center for the Arts Ticket Office in-person at 1000 I Street, Modesto or call (209) 338-2100.
Starting in August, tickets can also be purchased at Carnegie Arts Center, and the MSO Office. For full details on ticket offerings at the outlets, please visit our website at ModestoSymphony.org/Picnic.
Carnegie Arts Center: 250 N. Broadway Ave., Turlock
MSO Office: 911 Thirteenth Street, Modesto
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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.
Picnic at the Pops! is generously sponsored by
Presenting Sponsors: GALLO, Porges Family Foundation
Headline Sponsor: Wille Electric Supply Company, Inc.
Concert Sponsor: Garton Tractor
25 Years of Picnic at the Pops
It’s 1995,
Kiss from a Rose by Seal from the new movie Batman Forever plays on the radio as you drive down in your ‘95 Toyota Corolla, as you stop to pick up a brand new drink called a “Frappuccino” from Starbucks.
You head over to your local Blockbuster Video to pick up a VHS of the recent Best Picture winner, Forrest Gump, scoffing at the newly invented DVD aisles, as if those will ever take off. The world wide web just expanded, as people every where were booting up Windows 95, and for some reason, everyone could not stop dancing The Macarena.
This year birthed many iconic breakthroughs that still persist to this day—such as Modesto Symphony Orchestra’s first Picnic at the Pops at E. & J. Gallo Winery!
Relive the past Picnic at the Pops!
