Press Release: The Modesto Symphony Orchestra Performs Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” Live In Concert To Film
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) will perform Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” featuring a screening of Disney’s timeless holiday classic with Grammy®-winning composer Danny Elfman’s musical score performed live to the film. The concert will be led by Principal Pops Conductor Ryan Murray on Friday, November 3rd, 2023 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, November 4th, 2023 at 2:00 pm at the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto. Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas will be celebrating its 30th Anniversary this October.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Nicholas Hersh, Music Director
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
(209) 523-4156
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
For Immediate Release: September 29, 2023
(click to download high-resolution image)
The Modesto Symphony Orchestra Performs Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” Live In Concert To Film
Concert features Composer Danny Elfman’s Complete Score Performed Live to Picture Conducted by Ryan Murray Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Film Release
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) will perform Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” featuring a screening of Disney’s timeless holiday classic with Grammy®-winning composer Danny Elfman’s musical score performed live to the film. The concert will be led by Principal Pops Conductor Ryan Murray on Friday, November 3rd, 2023 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, November 4th, 2023 at 2:00 pm at the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto. Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” will be celebrating its 30th Anniversary this October.
“We are so excited to bring Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” back to the stage with our Modesto Symphony Orchestra,” says Caroline Nickel, President and CEO of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. “We last performed this concert in two sold-out performances in 2017, and it was such a thrilling experience to see our audiences be swept up in the magic of Danny Elfman’s score. It was amazing to see the creativity and enthusiasm the audience showed by dressing up in costume for the event. We hope to recreate the experience this year and I look forward to seeing everyone dress to impress!”
First released in 1993, Tim Burton's “The Nightmare Before Christmas” was directed by Henry Selick (“James and the Giant Peach”) and based on a story and characters by Tim Burton. The film follows the earnest-but-misguided adventures of Jack Skellington, Halloween Town's beloved Pumpkin King, as he attempts to take over the Christmas holiday. Against the advice of Sally, a lonely rag doll who has feelings for him, Jack enlists three mischievous trick-or-treaters – Lock, Shock, and Barrel – to help him kidnap Santa Claus. The film is rated “PG.”
Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” Live in Concert is presented by the Modesto Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Ryan Murray and will be performed at the Gallo Center for the Arts on November 3, 2023 at 7:30 pm and November 4, 2023 at 2 pm. For tickets and further information, visit www.modestosymphony.org.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert Live to Film
Friday November 3, 2023 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 2 pm
Ryan Murray, conductor
Gallo Center for the Arts, Mary Stuart Rogers Theater
1000 I Street, Modesto
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert Live to Film is presented by Disney Concerts. © Disney
Tickets:
Pricing: $ 20* / 36 / 52 / 72 / 94*
*Limited seats are available.
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 10:00 am-6:00 pm / Saturday 12:00 pm-6:00 pm
Subscription packages are available now online, by phone, and at the Gallo Center Ticket Office. Pops Series Subscribers can save 15% off single tickets. Visit ModestoSymphony.org for full details.
2023-2024 SEASON PARTNER:
Boyett Petroleum
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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 Performs The Great American Songbook March 17
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO), led by Principal Pops Conductor Ryan Murray will perform The Great American Songbook on Friday, March 17th at 7:30 pm at the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto. Broadway star, Ryan Silverman who previously performed with the MSO in 2019, swings back into town to croon your favorite jazz standards!
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / February 27, 2023
(Pictured from left to right: Ryan Murray, conductor; Ryan Silverman, guest vocalist)
Modesto Symphony Orchestra Performs
The Great American Songbook
March 17th
March 17 – Modesto Symphony Orchestra performs the greatest hits made famous by Frank Sinatra, Cole Porter, and more!
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO), led by Principal Pops Conductor Ryan Murray will perform The Great American Songbook on Friday, March 17th at 7:30 pm at the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto. Broadway star, Ryan Silverman who previously performed with the MSO in 2019, swings back into town to croon your favorite jazz standards!
“The Great American Songbook is a collection of jazz standards, popular music, and musical theater from the early part of the 20th century. Music that has withstood the test of time. In fact, Tony Bennett calls the Great American Songbook, ‘America’s classical music.’ It features some of our most beloved composers and singers like Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Rodgers and Hammerstein, and Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Sammy Davis Jr, and Judy Garland,” says Principal Pops Conductor Ryan Murray, “It was so fun to work with Ryan Silverman to create this program featuring so many of our favorite songs. Ryan is an incredible artist and I have such great memories of our Holiday Pops together back in 2019. He moves effortlessly between jazz, musical theater and popular music and you are sure to be transported back to this golden era of song!”
The Great American Songbook headliner, Ryan Silverman, has performed with numerous major American orchestras including the Seattle Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Houston Symphony, and the New York Pops in Carnegie Hall with previous MSO Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke. He previously performed with the Modesto Symphony Orchestra for their Holiday Pops! concert in December 2019.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The Great American Song Book
Friday, March 17, 2023 at 7:30 pm
Ryan Murray, Principal Pops Conductor
Ryan Silverman, Guest Vocalist
Modesto Symphony Orchestra
Gallo Center for the Arts, Mary Stuart Rogers Theater
1000 I Street, Modesto
Tickets
Pricing: $19 / 29 / 39 / 49 / 69 / 94
Ticketing Information
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
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 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.
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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: Celebrate the Holidays with the Modesto Symphony Orchestra
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 MSO kicks off its holiday concerts with Holiday Pops! on Friday, December 3rd at 7:30 pm and Saturday, December 4th at 2pm. Conducted by Associate Conductor Ryan Murray, this lively and festive concert features Broadway star Ali Ewoldt and the MSO Chorus. The Holiday Candlelight Concert will be held on December 21st at the St. Stanislaus Catholic Church. MSO Chorus Director, Daniel R. Afonso Jr., will conduct this traditional holiday concert and St. Stanislaus Church is the perfect setting for a more intimate concert that will also feature the MSO Chorus.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
(209) 523-4156
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / NOVEMBER 16, 2021
Click to download high-resolution photos
Celebrate the Holidays with the Modesto Symphony Orchestra
Holiday Pops! with Ali Ewoldt – December 3rd & 4th
Holiday Candlelight Concert – December 21st
Modesto Symphony Orchestra to offer free tickets to healthcare workers for Holiday Pops concerts
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 MSO kicks off its holiday concerts with Holiday Pops! on Friday, December 3rd at 7:30 pm and Saturday, December 4th at 2pm. Conducted by Associate Conductor Ryan Murray, this lively and festive concert features Broadway star Ali Ewoldt and the MSO Chorus. The Holiday Candlelight Concert will be held on December 21st at the St. Stanislaus Catholic Church. MSO Chorus Director, Daniel R. Afonso Jr., will conduct this traditional holiday concert and St. Stanislaus Church is the perfect setting for a more intimate concert that will also feature the MSO Chorus.
Holiday Pops headliner, Ali Ewoldt, has performed with numerous major American orchestras including the American Pops Orchestra, Houston Symphony, Kaohsiung Symphony, the New York Pops in Carnegie Hall, and The Boston Pops with Maestro Keith Lockhart. On Broadway, Ali has appeared in The King and I, in The Phantom of the Opera as Christine Daaé, and in Les Misérables as Cosette.
“The holiday season is always a special time for the MSO” says Caroline Nickel, President and CEO of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. “This year is extra special for all of us at the MSO as it is also our first time back on stage with our full orchestra since March 2020. We hope that both our Holiday Pops and Holiday Candlelight Concert can bring a little extra warmth, joy, and festiveness to our community.”
The MSO would like to honor our healthcare workers who worked tirelessly to support our community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. To show gratitude and appreciation for their efforts, the MSO is offering free tickets to local healthcare workers for the December 3rd and 4th Holiday Pops concerts. To participate in this program, please visit ModestoSymphony.org/healthcare and complete the online form.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, HOLIDAY POPS!
Friday, December 3, 2021 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, December 4th, 2021 at 2:00pm
Ryan Murray, conductor
Ali Ewoldt, vocalist
Modesto Symphony Orchestra
Modesto Symphony Orchestra Chorus, Daniel R. Afonso Jr., director
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
Artist Biographies
Presenting Sponsor:
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, HOLIDAY CANDLELIGHT CONCERT
Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at 8:00 pm
Daniel R. Afonso Jr., conductor
Modesto Symphony Orchestra
Modesto Symphony Orchestra Chorus,
Daniel R. Afonso Jr., director
Opus Handbell Ensemble, Richard Colla, director
St. Stanislaus Catholic Church
1200 Maze Boulevard, Modesto
TICKETS:
Pricing:
Adult: $38 / 58
Youth: $10 / 20
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 Standard Adult seating. Call (209) 338-5064 for more information.
Ticket Office Hours: Monday through Friday 10:00am-6:00pm / Saturday 12:00pm-6:00pm
Artist Biography
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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: The Modesto Symphony Orchestra & Youth Orchestra Welcome Wayland Whitney
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) and the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra (MSYO) welcome Wayland Whitney as the MSYO’s Symphony Orchestra Conductor.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / OCTOBER 1, 2021
Click to download high-resolution photos
The Modesto Symphony Orchestra & Youth Orchestra Welcome Conductor Wayland Whitney
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) and the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra (MSYO) welcome Wayland Whitney as the MSYO’s Symphony Orchestra Conductor. Ryan Murray continues his role as Associate Conductor with the MSO and will continue lead the MSYO team.
“I'm thrilled that Wayland Whitney is joining the MSYO team. Wayland is a fantastic educator and a great musician and I know that the students in our Symphony Orchestra will get a lot out of working with him,” said Ryan Murray, Associate Conductor of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra Association. “I have seen first-hand his ability to build youth programs and inspire students and I know our orchestra and students are going to thrive this year under his leadership. “
A native of Northern California, Whitney co-founded the Placer County Youth Orchestra and is currently the director of the Music in the Mountains Youth Orchestra and the Assistant Conductor of the MIM Orchestra. Whitney holds a Bachelors degree in Viola from UC Davis and a Masters degree in conducting from SUNY Fredonia.
“We are thrilled to welcome Wayland to the MSOA family and see him infuse his energy into the MSYO program,” said Caroline Nickel, President and CEO of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra Association. “He’ll be working closely with our Associate Conductor Ryan Murray and we’re confident that Wayland’s passion for music education will fit in well with the rest of the MSYO team.”
About the MSYO
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 annually. 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 professional musicians, conductors, and visiting guest artists through workshops, side-by-side performances, and clinics.
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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