Press Release: Modesto Symphony Orchestra’s Picnic At The Pops Presents Aretha: A Tribute
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra proudly presents Picnic at the Pops! Aretha: A Tribute this September 9, 2023 at 7:30 pm on the beautiful E. & J. Gallo Winery 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
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / July 31, 2023
(Pictured from left to right, top row: Ryan Murray, conductor; Capathia Jenkins, guest artist; Darryl J. Williams, guest artist; bottom row: Picnic at the Pops!)
Modesto Symphony Orchestra’s Picnic at the Pops! Presents Aretha: A Tribute
FEATURING THE MUSIC OF ARETHA FRANKLIN, STEVIE WONDER, AND MORE STARRING CAPATHIA JENKINS AND DARRYL JOVAN WILLIAMS
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra proudly presents Picnic at the Pops! Aretha: A Tribute this September 9, 2023 at 7:30 pm on the beautiful E. & J. Gallo Winery 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 an unforgettable evening of soul-stirring music and timeless melodies that celebrates the life and legacy of the incomparable Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. The evening will feature the exceptional talents of your Modesto Symphony Orchestra led by Principal Pops Conductor, Ryan Murray, and the mesmerizing vocals of Broadway powerhouse Capathia Jenkins and Darryl J. Williams as they bring audiences on a journey through Aretha Franklin’s greatest hits including “Respect,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “I Say a Little Prayer,” and more. After a successful return in 2022, the Modesto Symphony Orchestra Association is confident this year’s Picnic will be an even more delightful experience.
“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. “Last year, witnessing families and friends come together to experience pure joy as the stage lights up and the orchestra performs was so heartwarming, especially after returning from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Picnic at the Pops! is a true community concert, created for the community by the community. The MSO is seeking volunteers to help make Picnic a success. Volunteer duties include the setting up and breakdown of the venue space, selling scrip 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 the E. & J. Gallo Winery 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 The Village Butcher, 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, and 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 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 Village Butcher in McHenry Village in Modesto, in Turlock at the Carnegie Arts Center, 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! Aretha: A Tribute
Saturday, September 9, 2023
Grounds Open at 5:00 pm
Concert Starts at 7:30 pm
Ryan Murray, conductor
Capathia Jenkins, guest artist
Darryl Jovan Williams, guest artist
E. & J. Gallo Winery Grounds
600 Yosemite Blvd., 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 at (209) 338-2100. Gallo Center Ticket Office Hours: Monday through Friday 10:00am-6:00pm / Saturday 12:00pm-6:00pm
Starting in August, tickets can also be purchased at The Village Butcher, Carnegie Arts Center, and the MSO Office. For full details on ticket offerings at the outlets, please visit our website at ModestoSymphony.org/Picnic.
The Village Butcher: 1700 McHenry Ave., #65, Modesto
Carnegie Arts Center: 250 N. Broadway Ave., Turlock
MSO Office: 911 Thirteenth Street, Modesto
Artist Bios
###
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: E. & J. Gallo Winery & Family; Porges Family Foundation
Headline Sponsor: Wille Electric Supply Company, Inc.
Concert Sponsor: Garton Tractor
Press Release: Modesto Symphony Orchestra’s Picnic At The Pops Returns
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) presents Picnic at the Pops: The Music of Elton John starring Michael Cavanaugh with the Modesto Symphony on September 10, 2022 at 7:30pm. Held on the grounds of the E. & J. Gallo Winery, this family-friendly event attracts thousands of guests from Modesto and the neighboring communities for an evening of music, dancing, and fun beneath the stars. This will be the first presentation of the community-favorite concert since 2019.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / August 23, 2022
(Pictured from left to right, top row: Ryan Murray, conductor; Michael Cavanaugh, guest artist; bottom row: Picnic at the Pops!)
Modesto Symphony Orchestra’s Picnic At The Pops Returns
Featuring The Music Of Elton John Starring Michael Cavanaugh
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) presents Picnic at the Pops: The Music of Elton John starring Michael Cavanaugh with the Modesto Symphony on September 10, 2022 at 7:30pm. Held on the grounds of the E. & J. Gallo Winery, this family-friendly event attracts thousands of guests from Modesto and the neighboring communities for an evening of music, dancing, and fun beneath the stars. This will be the first presentation of the community-favorite concert since 2019.
“To say we are thrilled to bring back Picnic at the Pops is an understatement,” said Caroline Nickel, President and CEO of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra Association. “This concert is our largest of the season, our biggest fundraiser of the year, and has truly become a community tradition. From seeing family and friends enjoying their picnics to seeing everyone’s faces light up as the stage lights come on and the orchestra perform – it’s something we’ve missed dearly and are so excited to have Picnic at the Pops again.”
Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket, pack a picnic, and enjoy all that the space has to offer. Outside alcohol is prohibited; wine 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 The Village Butcher or purchase food on-site from local food trucks and vendors. Full details on our food offerings will be available at our website at ModestoSymphony.org/picnic.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Picnic at the Pops: The Music of Elton John starring Michael Cavanaugh with the Modesto Symphony
Saturday, September 10, 2022
Grounds Open at 5:00 pm
Concert Starts at 7:30 pm
Ryan Murray, conductor
Michael Cavanaugh, guest artist
E. & J. Gallo Winery Grounds
600 Yosemite Blvd., 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 at (209) 338-2100.
Gallo Center Ticket Office Hours: Monday through Friday 10:00am-6:00pm / Saturday 12:00pm-6:00pm
Artist Bios
###
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 Appoints Ryan Murray as Principal Pops Conductor
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is excited to announce the appointment of Ryan Murray as the Symphony’s next Principal Pops Conductor. The MSO continues to search for the Symphony’s next Music Director who would be the artistic leader of the organization and the primary conductor of the Classics Series. Ryan Murray will be the primary conductor for the Pops Series and create the programming for those concerts and Picnic at the Pops.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
(209) 523-4156
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / JULY 15, 2022
MSO Principal Pops Conductor, Ryan Murray (Click to download high-resolution photo)
Modesto Symphony Appoints Ryan Murray As Principal Pops Conductor
MODESTO, CA –The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is excited to announce the appointment of Ryan Murray as the Symphony’s next Principal Pops Conductor. The MSO continues to search for the Symphony’s next Music Director who would be the artistic leader of the organization and the primary conductor of the Classics Series. Ryan Murray will be the primary conductor for the Pops Series and create the programming for those concerts and Picnic at the Pops.
“Ryan Murray has been the MSO’s Associate Conductor since 2013 and has conducted our Holiday Pops! and film concerts for the past several years,” said Caroline Nickel, President and CEO of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra Association. “We’re thrilled to appoint him as our new Principal Pops Conductor! Our Pops Series has grown over the years, and we wanted to find the right person to help us continue to engage our community and welcome new audiences. Ryan is a fantastic conductor and has built a great reputation locally and throughout the U.S. and we’re excited to collaborate with him in his new role.”
In addition to being the MSO’s Associate Conductor, Ryan is currently the Artistic Director and Conductor of Music in the Mountains in Grass Valley. He is also the Director of Symphony Orchestra & Opera at California State University, Sacramento. Ryan is an award-winning opera conductor and currently the Music Director of Opera Modesto and effortlessly moves between genres including traditional orchestra and operatic repertoire, pops performances, movies in concert, and a notable emphasis on contemporary American operatic works.
“I’m absolutely thrilled become the Modesto Symphony Orchestra’s next Principal Pops Conductor!” said newly appointed Principal Pops Conductor Ryan Murray. “I have had a wonderful time over the past nine years working with our amazing orchestra and connecting with our incredible audience. I can’t wait to share more amazing pops programs with all of you and look forward to our upcoming season including Holiday Pops! and Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back!”
Ryan will lead the MSO and kick off our 92nd Season in September as Picnic at the Pops! returns for the first time since 2019.
Biography
Ryan Murray is currently the Artistic Director and Conductor of Music in the Mountains and the Associate Conductor of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. He is also the Director of Symphony Orchestra & Opera at California State University, Sacramento, and the Conductor for the Sacramento Youth Symphony's premier orchestra. An award-winning opera conductor, Ryan spent his early career working as an assistant conductor and répétiteur and is currently the Music Director of Opera Modesto. He has served as assistant conductor for opera productions at the Sacramento Philharmonic and is the past Music Director of Fresno Grand Opera, and previously worked as a staff conductor for the Bay Area Summer Opera Theater Institute (BASOTI) and The Opera Academy of California in San Francisco. Effortlessly moving between genres, Ryan currently enjoys a wide range of performance genres & platforms, including traditional orchestral and operatic repertoire, pops performances, movies in concert, and a notable emphasis on contemporary American operatic works.
Ryan was the winner of the Vienna Philharmonic’s prestigious Ansbacher Fellowship for Young Conductors, and spent the summer in residence alongside the Vienna Philharmonic at the 2014 Salzburg Festival. Ryan was also awarded second place in the 2019 American Prize for Professional Orchestral Conducting for his work with the Modesto Symphony, and has garnered national recognition for his dynamic, compelling performances of contemporary opera as the winner of the 2017 American Prize in Opera Conducting for his highly lauded production of A Streetcar Named Desire. He was a 2016 semi-finalist for the Ernst Bacon Memorial Award for the Performance of American Music for his production of Jake Heggie's Dead Man Walking.
A charismatic pops conductor, Ryan has worked with prominent artists such as Storm Large of Pink Martini, SuperDiamond and the phenomenal symphonic tribute to David Bowie. He was recently engaged to step-in at the last minute as assistant and cover conductor for Andrea Bocelli's Believe Tour with the Sacramento Philharmonic where he conducted rehearsals to acclaim. He has led some of the top vocalists from Broadway and beyond, including Ben Crawford (Broadway's The Phantom of the Opera), Ashley Brown (Broadway's Mary Poppins), and Alli Mauzey (Glinda from Wicked), as well as some of today's top young jazz vocalists including Tony DeSare and James Tormé. With an enthusiasm for film scores, Ryan enjoys the unique challenges of conducting movies in concert and was recently added the Disney & ICM Approved Conductors list. Recent and upcoming performances include Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Pixar Animation Studios' Pixar in Concert, and Star Wars: A New Hope.
Ryan holds degrees, summa cum laude, in Bassoon Performance and Voice Performance from California State University, Sacramento and also holds a master’s degree, with distinction, in Music Business from the Berklee College of Music where he studied with industry professionals to develop tools for success in the modern music industry, including new technology, policy, law and finance. Driven by a lifelong passion for learning, Ryan has attended conducting masterclasses and seminars around the world. Ryan recently attended the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music's Conductors Workshop and was one of just eight conductors worldwide to be invited to the Musiikin aika Summer Festival Masterclass in Finland led by Musical America's 2017 Conductor of the Year & Principal Guest Conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Susanna Mälkki. He also recently attended a contemporary music symposium led by Alan Gilbert featuring the New York Philharmonic. Past events include the Aurora Chamber Festival in Sweden, where he studied under Maestro Kurt Masur, the Lucerne Festival Academy’s Conducting Masterclass in Switzerland, and the Eastman School of Music’s Summer Conducting Institute. Widely praised for his tireless work ethic, natural poise, and impassioned, inspired performances, Ryan continues to connect deeply with orchestras and audiences alike and has proven to be a formidable presence on the podium.
About the MSO
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. 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, becoming a resident company of the Gallo Center for the Arts when their doors opened in 2007, and the creation of the Modesto Symphony Youth Chorus in 2017.
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 E. & J. Gallo Winery and the Holiday Candlelight Concert at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church. Through its education and outreach programs, the MSO is able to reach over 15,000 students each year by working closely with local schools and providing free or low-cost opportunities to experience classical music.
The 2022-23 season marks the Modesto Symphony’s 92nd 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.
###
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
“Come Together” For The Modesto Symphony Orchestra’s 25th Annual Picnic At The Pops!
July 2019 - The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO), will present the Classical Mystery Tour: A Tribute to The Beatles at its 25th Annual Picnic at the Pops concert Saturday, September 7, 2019. Held on the grounds of the E. & J. Gallo Winery, this family-friendly event attracts nearly 4,000 guests from Modesto and neighboring communities for an evening of music, dancing and fun underneath the stars.
“Come Together” For The Modesto Symphony Orchestra’s 25th Annual Picnic At The Pops!
With the Classical Mystery Tour performing a tribute to The Beatles
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
David Lockington, Music Director
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
(209) 523-4156 ext. 103
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Click to download hi-resolution images. Credit: Diane Moody
July 2019 - The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO), will present the Classical Mystery Tour: A Tribute to The Beatles at its 25th Annual Picnic at the Pops concert Saturday, September 7, 2019. Held on the grounds of the E. & J. Gallo Winery, this family-friendly event attracts nearly 4,000 guests from Modesto and neighboring communities for an evening of music, dancing and fun underneath the stars.
Picnic at the Pops provides a rare opportunity for guests to not only enjoy the symphony outside of its regular Gallo Center home, but to also experience a “behind-the-scenes” glimpse into the Gallo Winery grounds. Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket, pack a picnic and enjoy all that the space has to offer. Outside alcohol is prohibited; however, wine and an assortment of beverages are available for purchase, with all proceeds benefiting the MSO. For those not wanting to pack their own picnic, patrons may pre-order boxed dinner options from O’Brien’s Market, or they may purchase food on-site from our food trucks and vendors. Full details on our food offerings will be available at our website at modestosymphony.org/picnic-at-the-pops.
Caroline Nickel, Modesto Symphony’s President and CEO, is confident this year’s Picnic will be one of the most successful to date. “The Beatles might be the most iconic band in history,” Nickel said. “The name recognition, the high quality of the show and the unique opportunity to spend time at the Gallo Winery all come together to create an event that’s sure to drum up a lot of excitement. It’s also important to note this is a fundraiser, so all the money raised stays in the community and we couldn’t be more appreciative of all that the E. & J. Gallo Family and Winery, plus the Porges Family Foundation, does to support this event.”
Who:
Modesto Symphony Orchestra
Classical Mystery Tour
Martin Herman, conductor
Martin Herman
A resident of Los Angeles, Martin Herman was educated at Duke University, University of Pennsylvania, University of California at Berkeley, and Stanford University. He also spent two years in Paris on a Fulbright Grant where he worked as a composer and conductor with the “New American Music in Europe” and “American Music Week” festivals. Aside from his conducting interests, Herman is an active composer and arranger. He has received fellowships and grants from the American Music Center, the Camargo Foundation, Meet the Composer, Trust for Mutual Understanding, and the National Endowment for the Arts. He has written chamber and orchestral works as well as three operas. He is recorded on the Albany Record label. As a long time Beatles fan, Martin was commissioned to provide the orchestral transcriptions heard on the Classical Mystery Tour show.
Recent guest conducting engagements include the Detroit Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Dallas Symphony, San Diego Symphony, New Jersey Symphony, Fort Worth Symphony, Louisville Symphony, the Virginia Symphony, Delaware Symphony, Alabama Symphony, the Omaha Symphony, the Buffalo Philharmonic, and the Philharmonia Chamber Orchestra in Prague, Czech Republic.
James Owen presents Classical Mystery Tour: A Tribute to the Beatles
Since its initial performance at the Orange County Performing Arts Center (now renamed Segerstrom Center for the Arts) in 1996, Classical Mystery Tour has become the #1 Symphony Pops attraction over the last decade. The group has been performing consistently for more than 20 years with more than 100 orchestras in the US, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The group played to packed houses at the Sydney Opera House, and has performed with America’s most prestigious orchestras: The Cleveland Orchestra, The Boston Pops, The Philadelphia Orchestra, The San Francisco Symphony, among many others.
Classical Mystery Tour has CDs and T-shirts available for purchase at the concert and on their website (www.classicalmysterytour.com).
Program (subject to change):
A Hard Day’s Night
All You Need Is Love
Come Together
Eleanor Rigby
Got to Get You Into My Life
Here Comes the Sun
I Saw Her Standing There
Let It Be
Magical Mystery Tour
Ob-ladi, ob-la-da
Penny Lane
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
Something
With a Little Help From My Friends
Yesterday
When:
Saturday, September 7, 2019
Grounds Open – 4:00p.m.
Concert Begins – 7:30p.m.
Where:
E. & J. Gallo Winery Grounds
600 Yosemite Blvd., Modesto
Tickets:
Tickets can be purchased by calling the Gallo Center Ticket Office at 209.338.2100 or at ModestoSymphony.org. Youth ticket pricing and group ticket pricing available. Groups of 10 or more save 15 percent.
General Lawn Seating Tickets: Adult $40 / Youth $12
Reserved Lawn Seating Tickets: Adult $62 / Youth $20
Group of 10+ get 15% off General Lawn Seating
(Youth ages 4 through 17 / 3 & under free)
Starting August 1st, tickets can also be purchased at all three O’Brien’s Market locations, Salon Salon, NuWay Cleaners, and the MSO Office. For full details on ticket offerings at the outlets please see visit our website at modestosymphony.org/picnic-at-the-pops.
GCA TICKET OFFICE HOURS:
Monday through Friday 10 am - 6 pm and Saturday 12 pm - 6 pm
www.galloarts.org
###
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.
Media Sponsor: iHeart Media & SUNNY102.3