Press Release: 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.
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.
Press Release: Anne Akiko Meyers Joins the Modesto Symphony Orchestra for Márquez’s Fandango
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO), led by Music Director Nicholas Hersh, will perform Scheherazade & Márquez’s Fandango this February 13 & 14, 2026 at 7:30 pm at the Gallo Center for the Arts. The program will open with selections from Margaret Bonds’ Montgomery Variations. Then the MSO will be joined by esteemed violinist Anne Akiko Meyers for Arturo Márquez’s Fandango. The program will conclude with Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
For Immediate Release: January 9, 2026
Anne Akiko Meyers Joins the Modesto Symphony Orchestra for Márquez’s Fandango
Also featuring the music of Margaret Bonds and Rimsky-Korsakov
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO), led by Music Director Nicholas Hersh, will perform Scheherazade & Márquez’s Fandango this February 13 & 14, 2026 at 7:30 pm at the Gallo Center for the Arts. The program will open with selections from Margaret Bonds’ Montgomery Variations. Then the MSO will be joined by esteemed violinist Anne Akiko Meyers for Arturo Márquez’s Fandango. The program will conclude with Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade.
“It is difficult to put into words how excited I am for our upcoming performances of Arturo Márquez's Fandango with violin superstar Anne Akiko Meyers,” says Music Director Nicholas Hersh. “Not only does Anne bring such vibrant and thrilling artistry to the stage, she also is the originator and dedicatee of this astounding concerto for violin and orchestra infused with the irresistible dance rhythms of the composer's native Mexico. Combine this with the kaleidoscopic orchestral colors of Rimsky-Korsakov's brilliant Scheherazade, and you have an evening filled with unforgettable, virtuoso music. If you choose just one Modesto Symphony concert to attend this season, this would be the one I'd pick!”
Anne Akiko Meyers premiered Fandango with Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl in 2021. Their 2022 performance at Walt Disney Concert Hall went on to receive two Latin GRAMMYÒ Awards for Best Classical Album and Best Classical Contemporary Composition. Anne has performed around the world as soloist with leading orchestras and this will be her fourth performance with the Modesto Symphony Orchestra.
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 Montgomery Variations
Arturo Márquez: Fandango
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade
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.
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: Modesto Symphony Orchestra Celebrates the Holidays with Tony DeSare
MODESTO, CA - The Modesto Symphony Orchestra’s (MSO) holiday concerts offer fun for the entire family. Complete with holiday décor and your favorite carols, the MSO’s holiday concerts have become community favorites. The first of the MSO’s two holiday concerts is Holiday Pops! on Friday, December 6, 2024 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 2:00 pm at the Gallo Center for the Arts. Conducted by Principal Pops Conductor Ryan Murray, this lively and festive concert features Broadway star Nikki Renée Daniels and the MSO Chorus. The Holiday Candlelight Concert is a more intimate concert and is returning to St. Stanislaus Catholic Church on December 17, 2024 at 8 pm. Led by MSO Chorus Director, Daniel R. Afonso Jr., this traditional holiday concert that will also feature the MSO Chorus and the Opus Handbell Ensemble.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
For Immediate Release: November 11, 2025
(Pictured from left to right: Ryan Murray, conductor; Tony DeSare, guest artist; Daniel R. Afonso Jr., chorus director, MSO Chorus, Modesto Symphony Orchestra)
Modesto Symphony Orchestra Celebrates the Holidays with Tony DeSare
Plus, the Holiday Candlelight Concert at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church
December 5 & 6, 2025 – Modesto Symphony Orchestra presents Holiday Pops! with Tony DeSare
December 16, 2025 – Modesto Symphony Orchestra presents Holiday Candlelight Concert at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church
MODESTO, CA - The Modesto Symphony Orchestra’s (MSO) holiday concerts offer fun for the entire family. Complete with holiday décor and your favorite carols, the MSO’s holiday concerts have become community favorites. The first of the MSO’s two holiday concerts is Holiday Pops! on Friday, December 6, 2025 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 2:00 pm at the Gallo Center for the Arts. Conducted by Principal Pops Conductor Ryan Murray, this lively and festive concert features Tony DeSare and the MSO Chorus. The Holiday Candlelight Concert is a more intimate concert held at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church on December 16, 2025 at 8 pm. Led by MSO Chorus Director, Daniel R. Afonso Jr., this traditional holiday concert that will also feature the MSO Chorus and the Opus Handbell Ensemble.
“I'm really looking forward to another Holiday Pops this year! It's one of my favorite concerts of the year and it’s always a great pleasure to share the stage with our amazing Modesto Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and to celebrate the Holiday season with our wonderful community!” says Ryan Murray, Principal Pops Conductor for the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. “I’m really excited to welcome Tony DeSare back to Modesto. He was the guest artist for my first ever Holiday Pops with the MSO! Named a rising star by Downbeat magazine, he’ll be bringing his unique jazz and blues style to our Holiday Pops this year. In addition to singing he’ll be performing at the piano as well, and I’m really excited for us all to experience his incredible musical style! As always, we’ll have a mix of new arrangements and traditional favorites and several fantastic features for our amazing Modesto Symphony Chorus. And of course we’ll have our wonderful MSO traditions like Sleigh Ride, our Sing-A-Long, and O Holy Night. I’m so excited for you all to hear the amazing program and I can't wait to see you there!”
Tony DeSare is a singer, pianist, and composer known for his infectious joy, wry playfulness and robust musicality. He has been a featured guest artist with over 100 symphony orchestras including the Cleveland Orchestra, The New York Pops, The San Francisco Symphony, The Houston Symphony, the Chicago Symphony. DeSare has four top ten Billboard jazz albums and has been featured on the CBS Early Show, NPR, A Prairie Home Companion, and the Today Show.
“We hope that both our Holiday Pops and Holiday Candlelight Concert can bring a little extra warmth and joy to our community,” says Caroline Nickel, President and CEO of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. “It’s a special feeling being able to take the time to slow down and spend time with friends and family during the holiday season and we are honored to be part of people’s holiday festivities and traditions.”
Modesto Symphony Orchestra presents Holiday Pops!
Friday, December 5, 2025 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 2 pm
Ryan Murray, conductor
Tony DeSare, guest artist
Modesto Symphony Orchestra
Modesto Symphony Orchestra Chorus, Daniel R. Afonso Jr., chorus director
Gallo Center for the Arts, Mary Stuart Rogers Theater
1000 I Street, Modesto
tICKETS
Pricing: Tickets start at $23
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.
Modesto Symphony Orchestra presents Holiday Candlelight Concert
Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 8:00 pm
Daniel R. Afonso Jr., conductor
Modesto Symphony Orchestra
Modesto Symphony Orchestra Chorus, Daniel R. Afonso Jr., director
Opus Handbell Ensemble, Lisa Traughber, director
St. Stanislaus Catholic Church
1200 Maze Blvd, Modesto
Tickets:
Pricing:
Adult ticket pricing starts at $40
Youth ticket pricing starts at $10
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 Standard Adult tickets. Call (209) 338-5064 for more information.
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.
Press Release: Modesto Symphony Orchestra to Perform U.S. Premiere of Klebanov’s Symphony No. 1
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO), led by Music Director Nicholas Hersh, will perform Beethoven & Klebanov this November 14 & 15, 2025 at 7:30 pm at the Gallo Center for the Arts. The program will open with Simone Porter performing Beethoven’s Violin Concerto. Then the MSO will perform the United States premiere of Dmitri Klebanov’s Symphony No. 1 “In Memoriam Babi Yar”. The program will conclude with John Williams’ A Prayer for Peace.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
For Immediate Release: September 26, 2025
(Pictured from left to right: Nicholas Hersh, conductor; Simone Porter, violin)
Modesto Symphony Orchestra to Perform U.S. Premiere of Klebanov’s Symphony No. 1
Also featuring the music of Beethoven and Williams
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO), led by Music Director Nicholas Hersh, will perform Beethoven & Klebanov this November 14 & 15, 2025 at 7:30 pm at the Gallo Center for the Arts. The program will open with Simone Porter performing Beethoven’s Violin Concerto. Then the MSO will perform the United States premiere of Dmitri Klebanov’s Symphony No. 1 “In Memoriam Babi Yar”. The program will conclude with John Williams’ A Prayer for Peace.
Klebanov, a Ukrainian composer, wrote his First Symphony in memory of the 1941 massacre of over 30,000 Jewish civilians by occupying German forces at Babi Yar. The performance received a glowing response, but the Soviet government ultimately deemed the piece “anti-Soviet”, Klebanov’s music was rarely heard again and his first symphony was never performed outside of Ukraine. Hersh has been instrumental in rediscovering Klebanov’s First Symphony and bringing it to the United States. Hersh initially learned about the piece in early 2023 and began transcribing and editing the piece from scans of the original transcripts. Since then, Hersh has been in contact with Klebanov’s granddaughter and had the privilege of showing her early drafts of the score and hearing stories of her grandfather.
The rediscovery of Klebanov’s music underscores the enduring power of art to preserve memory and give voice to those who have suffered. Across generations and cultures, music and art have served as a testament to loss, resilience, and humanity in the face of violence and suppression—reminding us that stories carried through art resonate far beyond the moment in which they were created.
“The more I worked on the symphony, the more I came to understand how remarkable and affecting this music is. Soaring melodies and powerful orchestration combine with a bold harmonic palette to create a symphonic experience that is truly epic in its scope. Its censorship was shameful, and now more than ever it deserves its place in the concert hall—it is an honor to introduce a new generation of listeners to Dmitri Klebanov,” says Music Director Nicholas Hersh.
“I am beyond grateful to my friend and colleague Simone Porter for joining us for this important program, which considers the aftermath of war and the virtue of peace,” Hersh continues. “From the militaristic opening drumbeats of Beethoven's beloved Violin Concerto, to the outbursts of grief and rage in Klebanov's memorial to the victims of inhuman violence, and finally to the aching refrains of John Williams' exhortation for peace between peoples, these concerts promise to be a provocative and moving meditation on conflicts past and present.”
Simone Porter will be performing Beethoven’s Violin Concerto replacing originally scheduled guest violinist Amaryn Olmeda who was to perform Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5. This will be Ms. Porter’s second performance with the Modesto Symphony following her 2023 performance of Barber’s Violin Concerto.
Modesto Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven & Klebanov
Resilience & Remembrance
Friday, November 14, 2025, at 7:30 pm
Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 7:30 pm
Nicholas Hersh, conductor
Simone Porter, violin
Program:
Ludwig van Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61
Dmitri Klebanov: Symphony No. 1 “In Memoriam Babi Yar” (U.S. Premiere)
John Williams: A Prayer for Peace
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: 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.