Press Release: Modesto Symphony Orchestra Announces 2025-26 Season of Discovery
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) presents their 95th season led by Music Director Nicholas Hersh.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / April 9, 2025
Click to download high-resolution photos. (Pictured from left to right: top row: Nicholas Hersh, music director; Timothy Loo, cello; Amaryn Olmeda, violin; Anne Akiko Meyers, violin; MSO Chorus; bottom row: Picnic at the Pops, Jurassic Park in Concert)
Modesto Symphony Orchestra Announces 2025-26 Season of Discovery
The MSO’s 95th season features outstanding programming, world-renowned guest artists, and the MSO Chorus.
The Classics Series will feature the works of Mozart, Márquez, Orff, John Williams, and Rimksy-Korsakov.
The Pops Series will feature Holiday Pops!, Pixar in Concert, and Jurassic Park in Concert.
Picnic at the Pops! will feature Windborne’s Music of Queen.
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) presents their 95th season led by Music Director Nicholas Hersh. The MSOA’s season will kick off in September with Picnic at the Pops! Windborne’s Music of Queen.
The Classics Series will have four concerts with performances on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 PM at the Gallo Center for the Arts. The MSO will perform works by Sergei Rachmaninoff, Margaret Bonds, Dmitri Klebanov, Arturo Márquez, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Carl Orff, and more.
“Our 95th season offers a thrilling yet thoughtfully curated collection of audience favorites and new discoveries,” says Nicholas Hersh, Music Direct of the MSOA. “In addition to beloved showcases for the orchestra, like Rachmaninoff’s Second Symphony and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, we’ll feature new concertos by John Williams and Arturo Márquez, as well as the American premiere of an unabashedly passionate, yet sadly forgotten, symphony. We can’t wait to share all this phenomenal and important music with Modesto!”
Additionally, the MSO also offers a three-concert Pops Series led by Principal Pops Conductor Ryan Murray, which will include Holiday Pops featuring Tony DeSare, Pixar in Concert, and Jurassic Park in Concert.
“We are beyond thrilled to share our upcoming season with the community as we celebrate 95 years of music,” says Caroline Nickel, President & CEO of the MSOA. “This season will feature a range of performances from Picnic at the Pops and the Music of Queen, to Márquez’s Fandango with Anne Akiko Meyers, to Carmina Burana with the MSO Chorus! Plus our two film concerts Pixar in Concert and Jurassic Park in Concert! We’re deeply grateful for the support of our community over the years and we look forward to sharing our music for many years to come!”
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 2025-26 SEASON OVERVIEW
Classics Series
Four concerts performed on both Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM in the Mary Stuart Rogers Theater at Gallo Center for the Arts conducted by Music Director Nicholas Hersh.
The MSO begins the Classics Series on October 10 & 11, 2025 with Williams & Rachmaninoff. Celebrate the cinematic sounds of Hollywood with John Williams’ Cello Concerto, a bold and expressive work that will feature Turlock native, Timothy Loo. The evening will conclude with Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2 taking you on a rapturous journey through lyrical swells of color and harmony.
November 14 & 15, 2025, the MSO presents a beautifully introspective evening that unites diverse voices through sound with Mozart & Klebanov: Resilience & Remembrance. Margaret Bonds’ Montgomery Variations reflects on the Civil Rights movement, while Mozart’s lively Violin Concert No. 5 features the voice of the next generation, rising violinist Amaryn Olmeda. In a remarkable American premiere, Dmitri Klebanov’s Symphony No. 1 “In Memoriam Babi Yar” gives voice to remembrance and resilience. The evening concludes with John Williams’ A Prayer for Peace, a heartfelt call for unity and hope.
February 13 & 14, 2026, let the Modesto Symphony Orchestra whisk you away for an enchanting evening of dance, romance, and fantasy with Scheherazade & Márquez’s Fandango: Passionate Dances & Spellbinding Stories! Two-time Latin GRAMMY winner and violinist Anne Akiko Meyers will ignite the stage with her passionate performance of Márquez’s Fandango. Then, be swept away into the fantastic world of Arabian Nights as the MSO performs Rimsky-Korsakov’s mesmerizing Scheherazade!
The MSO’s Classics Series will conclude on May 8 & 9, 2026 with Carmina Burana: A Powerful Tribute to 95 Years of Music! This program will celebrate the MSO’s 95th season, the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra’s 45th season, and the Modesto Symphony Orchestra Chorus’s 25th season. This finale showcases one of the most well-known pieces of the 20th century, Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. This bombastic epic combines powerful brass, rich harmonies, and the full force of the MSO Chorus.
Pops Series
Three concerts with performances on Friday evenings at 7:30 pm and Saturday matinee performances at 2 pm, performed in the Mary Stuart Rogers Theater at the Gallo Center for the Arts conducted by Principal Pops Conductor Ryan Murray.
The Pops Series begins with a celebration of the Holiday Season with the ever-popular Holiday Pops! concert. The MSO will be joined by the MSO Chorus and Tony DeSare on December 5 & 6, 2025.
The second concert in the Pops Series will be on March 13 & 14, 2026 with Pixar in Concert. Pixar revolutionized animated films and created some of the most heartfelt and memorable moments in movie history. Step into the enchanting world of Pixar magic as the Modesto Symphony Orchestra performs the iconic film scores from “Finding Nemo”, “Coco”, “Monsters Inc.”, and many more, blending the live performance with the cinematic visuals in a celebration fit for the entire family. Presentation licensed by Disney Concert ©Disney/Pixar
Join the MSO on May 29 & 30, 2026 for Jurassic Park in Concert! Featuring visually stunning imagery and groundbreaking special effects, the action-packed adventure of Jurassic Park pits man against prehistoric predators in the ultimate battle for survival. Experience it now, projected in HD with a full symphony orchestra performing John Williams’ iconic score live to picture. © Universal City Studios LLC and Amblin Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Special Community concerts
Picnic at the Pops on September 6, 2025 and the Holiday Candlelight Concert on December 16, 2025.
The Modesto Symphony Orchestra will present their 29th Annual Picnic at the Pops! on September 6, 2025 with Windborne’s Music of Queen! Grounds open at 5 pm and the concert begins at 7:30 pm at the GALLO Winery.
MSO Chorus Director Dr. Daniel R. Afonso Jr. once again leads the Modesto Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, plus the Opus Handbell Ensemble in a special concert that has become a treasured community tradition, the Holiday Candlelight Concert on December 16, 2025 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church.
Tickets
Subscription packages and single tickets for the MSO’s 2025-26 season will be on sale starting June 2, 2025 online, by phone, and at the Gallo Center Ticket Office. Visit ModestoSymphony.org for full details.
Gallo Center Ticket Office
1000 I Street, Modesto CA 95354
Hours: Monday through Friday 10:00am to 6:00pm and Saturdays 12:00pm to 6:00pm.
Phone: 209.338.2100
MSO 2025-26 SEASON LISTING
Nicholas Hersh, Music Director
CLASSICS SERIES
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: Cello Concerto
SERGEI RACHMANINOFF: Symphony No. 2
Mozart & Klebanov
Resilience & Remembrance
Friday, November 14, 2025, at 7:30 pm
Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 7:30 pm
Nicholas Hersh, conductor
Anne Akiko Meyers, violin
Program:
MARGARET BONDS: Selections from Montgomery Variations (I, II, III, VII)
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART: Violin Concerto No. 5 “Turkish”
DMITRI KLEBANOV: Symphony No. 1 “In Memoriam Babi Yar” (American Premiere)
JOHN WILLIAMS: A Prayer for Peace
Scheherazade & Márquez’s Fandango
Passionate Dances & Spellbinding 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:
GRAŻYNA BACEWICZ: Overture
ARTURO MÁRQUEZ: Fandango for Violin & Orchestra
NIKOLAI RIMSKY-KORSAKOV: Scheherazade
Carmina Burana
A Powerful Tribute to 95 Years of Music
Friday, May 8, 2026, at 7:30 pm
Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 7:30 pm
Nicholas Hersh, conductor
MSO Chorus, Daniel R. Afonso Jr., chorus director
Members of the MSYO, side-by-side
Program:
MIKHAIL GLINKA: Ruslan & Ludmilla Overture
CARL ORFF: Carmina Burana
POPS SERIES
Ryan Murray, Principal Pops Conductor
Holiday Pops!
Friday, December 5, 2025, at 7:30 pm
Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 2:00 pm
Ryan Murray, conductor
MSO Chorus, Daniel R. Afonso Jr., chorus director
Tony DeSare, guest artist
Pixar in Concert
Live to Film
Friday, March 13, 2026, at 7:30 pm
Saturday, March 14, 2026, at 2:00 pm
Ryan Murray, conductor
Presentation licensed by Disney Concert ©Disney/Pixar
Jurassic Park in Concert
Live Orchestra with Full Length Film
Friday, May 29, 2026, at 7:30 pm
Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 2:00 pm
Ryan Murray, conductor
© Universal City Studios LLC and Amblin Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Special Community Concerts
Picnic at the Pops! Windborne’s Music of Queen
Saturday, September 6, 2025
GALLO Winery Grounds
Grounds open at 5:00 pm
Concert starts at 7:30 pm
Ryan Murray, conductor
Brody Dolyniuk, guest artist
Holiday Candlelight Concert
Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 8:00 pm
St. Stanislaus Catholic Church
Daniel R. Afonso Jr., conductor
MSO Chorus, Daniel R. Afonso Jr., chorus director
Opus Handbell Ensemble, Lisa Traughber, Opus Handbell Ensemble director
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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 Brings New Energy To 2024-2025 Season
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) presents their 94th season led by MSO Music Director Nicholas Hersh. The MSO’s season will kick off with Picnic at the Pops! Dancing in the Street: The Music of Motown, featuring the music of Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops, Michael Jackson, and Diana Ross.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / April 3, 2024
Click to download high-resolution photos. (Pictured from left to right: top row: Nicholas Hersh, music director; Branford Marsalis, saxophone; Audrey Wright, violin; bottom row: MSO Chorus; Picnic at the Pops, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark™ in Concert)
Modesto Symphony Orchestra Brings New Energy To 2024-2025 Season
The MSO’s 94th season features outstanding programming, world-renown guest artists, and the MSO Chorus.
The season opens with a special one-night-only event, featuring Branford Marsalis!
The Classics Series will feature the works of Vivaldi, Saint-Saëns, Modesto’s own Andrew Norman, and Verdi. It also includes Disney’s Fantasia Live in Concert!
The Pops Series will feature the hits of Aretha Franklin sung by Broadway star, Capathia Jenkins and Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost ArkTM in Concert.
Picnic at the Pops! returns with Dancing in the Street: The Music of Motown.
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) presents their 94th season led by MSO Music Director Nicholas Hersh. The MSO’s season will kick off with Picnic at the Pops! Dancing in the Street: The Music of Motown, featuring the music of Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops, Michael Jackson, and Diana Ross.
The MSO’s first concert at the Gallo Center for the Arts will be in October with a special one-night-only Opening Night concert featuring Grammy Award-winning jazz saxophonist Branford Marsalis, performing Darius Milhaud’s Scaramouche and John Williams’ Escapades from Steven Spielberg’s 2002 comedy, Catch Me If You Can.
This year there will be four Classics concerts with performances on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 PM at the Gallo Center for the Arts. The Classics Series will feature the works of Vivaldi, Saint-Saëns, Modesto’s own Grammy-nominated composer Andrew Norman, and Verdi. The Classics Series also welcomes the addition of a live-to-film performance of Disney’s Fantasia Live in Concert.
In addition to the Classics Series, the MSO also offers a three-concert Pops Series led by Principal Pops Conductor Ryan Murray, which includes Aretha: A Tribute featuring Broadway star Capathia Jenkins, and Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost ArkTM in Concert.
"I am overjoyed to welcome the Modesto community to our '24-25 season! My collaboration with the MSO in our first year working together has been beyond rewarding, and I am honored to continue deepening our relationship in the year to come,” said Music Director Nicholas Hersh. “There is a wonderful sense of energy in each concert program we will offer, from the virtuosity of guest artists like Branford Marsalis, to the beloved marriage of animation and orchestra in Fantasia, to simply the music leaping off the page of masterworks like Verdi's timeless Requiem. There is truly something for everyone in our community to enjoy, and I look forward to welcoming audiences of all ages back to the Gallo Center next season!”
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 2024-25 SEASON OVERVIEW
Opening Night Concert
The MSO’s 94th Season opens with Branford Marsalis and Symphonic Dances. This special one-night-only concert features Grammy Award-winning jazz saxophonist Branford Marsalis, performing Darius Milhaud’s Scaramouche and John Williams’ Escapades from Steven Spielberg’s 2002 comedy, Catch Me If You Can. The evening will conclude with Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances.
Classics Series
4 concerts performed on both Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM in the Mary Stuart Rogers Theater at Gallo Center for the Arts
The MSO begins the Classics Series on November 1 & 2, 2024 with The Four Seasons Mixtape. The evening will start with Mendelssohn’s romantic Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Ortiz’s La Calaca which features driving rhythms and stirring melodies inspired by the traditions of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) that celebrate the afterlife in Mexican culture. The MSO will dive deeper into each season with a “mixtape” from Hersh featuring one movement each from Vivaldi, Richter, Ysaÿe, and Piazzolla to create an exploration not only of the seasons, but of each of their cultures.
The Classics Series welcomes the addition of a live-to-film performance of Disney’s Fantasia Live in Concert on February 7 & 8, 2025. Families of all ages will enjoy iconic scenes from the original 1940 film and Fantasia 2000 paired with orchestral masterpieces like Dukas' The Sorcerer's Apprentice and Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, performed live by the MSO and conductor Ryan Murray.
On April 11 & 12, 2025, the MSO performs Camille Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals, as well as a piece by Modesto’s own and two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist, composer Andrew Norman. The evening concludes with the MSO performing Copland’s Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo, with the young musicians of the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra playing side-by-side on Hoedown.
The Classics Series concludes on May 9 & 10, 2025 with the MSO and MSO Chorus performing Verdi’s Requiem.
Pops Series
Three concerts on Fridays at 7:30 pm and two Saturday matinee performances at 2 pm, performed in the Mary Stuart Rogers Theater at the Gallo Center for the Arts conducted by Principal Pops Conductor Ryan Murray.
The Pops Series begins with a celebration of the Holiday Season with the ever-popular Holiday Pops concert. The MSO will be joined by the MSO Chorus on December 6, 2024 at 7:30 pm and December 7, 2024 at 2pm.
The second concert in the Pops Series will be on March 14, 2025 with Aretha: A Tribute. This high-energy, glittering tribute to the Queen of Soul features your Modesto Symphony Orchestra with Broadway star Capathia Jenkins! The evening will feature Aretha Franklin’s iconic hits like “Respect,” “Think,” “You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman,” “Chain of Fools,” “Amazing Grace,” and many more.
The Pops Series will close with Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost ArkTM in Concert. Fans will be able to experience the full movie with the MSO performing the full score live to film on May 30 & 31, 2025.
Special Community concerts:
Picnic at the Pops on September 7, 2024 and the Holiday Candlelight Concert on December 17, 2024.
The Modesto Symphony Orchestra will present their 28th Annual Picnic at the Pops! on September 7, 2024 with Dancing in the Street: The Music of Motown. Grounds open at 5 pm and the concert begins at 7:30 pm at the E. & J. Gallo Winery.
MSO Chorus Director Dr. Daniel R. Afonso Jr. once again leads the Modesto Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, plus the Opus Handbell Ensemble in a special concert that has become a treasured community tradition, the Holiday Candlelight Concert on December 17, 2024 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church.
Tickets
Subscription packages and single tickets for the MSO’s 2024-25 season will be on sale starting June 3, 2024 online, by phone, and at the Gallo Center Ticket Office. Visit ModestoSymphony.org for full details.
Gallo Center Ticket Office
1000 I Street, Modesto CA 95354
Hours: Monday through Friday 10:00am to 6:00pm and Saturdays 12:00pm to 6:00pm.
Phone: 209.338.2100
FULL MSO 2024-25 SEASON LISTING
Nicholas Hersh, Music Director
SEASON OPENER:
Branford Marsalis & Symphonic Dances
October 5, 2024 at 7:00 pm
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
CLASSICS SERIES
The Four Seasons Mixtape
November 1 & 2, 2024 at 7:30 pm
Nicholas Hersh, conductor
Audrey Wright, violin
Program:
Felix Mendelssohn: Overture from Midsummer Night's Dream, Op. 21
Gabriela Ortiz: La Calaca for String Orchestra
The Four Seasons Mixtape:
Antonio Vivaldi: L'estate (Summer)
Max Richter: Autumn from The Four Seasons Recomposed
Eugène Ysaÿe: Chant d'hiver (Wintersong)
Astor Piazzolla: Primavera porteña (Buenos Aires Spring)
Disney’s Fantasia Live in Concert
February 7 & 8, 2025 at 7:30 pm
Ryan Murray, conductor
Presentation licensed by Disney Concerts. © All rights reserved.
Carnival of the Animals
April 11 & 12, 2025 at 7:30 pm
Nicholas Hersh, conductor
Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra, side-by-side
Program:
George Gershwin (arr. Nicholas Hersh): Three Preludes
Camille Saint-Saëns: Carnival of the Animals
Andrew Norman: Drip Blip Sparkle Spin Glint Glide Glow Float Flop Chop Pop Shatter Splash
Aaron Copland: Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo
Verdi’s Requiem
May 9 & 10, 2025 at 7:30 pm
Nicholas Hersh, conductor
MSO Chorus, Daniel R. Afonso Jr., chorus director
Program:
Guiseppe Verdi: Requiem
POPS SERIES
Ryan Murray, Principal Pops Conductor
Holiday Pops!
December 6, 2024 at 7:30 pm
December 7, 2024 at 2:00 pm
Ryan Murray, conductor
MSO Chorus, Daniel R. Afonso Jr., chorus director
To Be Announced, guest vocalist
Aretha: A Tribute
March 14, 2025 at 7:30 pm
Ryan Murray, conductor
Capathia Jenkins, guest vocalist
Ryan Shaw, guest vocalist
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost ArkTM in Concert
Live Orchestra with Full Length Film
May 30, 2025 at 7:30 pm
May 31, 2025 at 2:00 pm
Ryan Murray, conductor
Motion Picture & Artwork © 1981 Lucasfilm Ltd. Concert performed under license from Disney Concerts. Disney Concerts under license from Lucasfilm Ltd and Paramount Pictures.
Special Community Concerts
Picnic at the Pops! Dancing in the Street: The Music of Motown
September 7, 2024
E. & J. Gallo Winery Grounds
Grounds open at 5:00 pm
Concert starts at 7:30 pm
Ryan Murray, conductor
Chester Gregory, guest vocalist
Shayna Steele, guest vocalist
Terron Brooks, guest vocalist
Holiday Candlelight Concert
December 17, 2024 at 8:00 pm
St. Stanislaus Catholic Church
Daniel R. Afonso Jr., conductor
MSO Chorus, Daniel R. Afonso Jr., chorus director
Opus Handbell Ensemble, Richard Colla, Opus Handbell Ensemble director
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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 93rd Season Opens With New Music Director Nicholas Hersh
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) will open its 93rd season with new Music Director Nicholas Hersh with Tchaikovsky & Copland on Friday, October 13 and Saturday, October 14, 2023. The program will start with Mozart’s Overture to The Marriage of Figaro then will feature pianist Alessio Bax on Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1. The evening will conclude with Copland’s Symphony No. 3 which features the well-known theme from Fanfare for the Common Man. As part of the opening weekend festivities, the MSO will have an after-party in the lobby to celebrate the new season and their new Music Director Nicholas Hersh.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
(209) 523-4156
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
For Immediate Release: September 19, 2023
(Pictured: Nicholas Hersh, MSO Music Director – photo by Stephanie Nolt; Alessio Bax, piano - photo by Marco Borggreve)
Modesto Symphony Orchestra 93rd Season Opens With New Music Director Nicholas Hersh
MSO’s Classic Series Programming Announced
The MSO’s 93rd season will open with a concert celebrating new Music Director Nicholas Hersh leading the MSO in Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and Copland’s Symphony No. 3
Hersh will return in February for a concert featuring William Dawson’s Negro Folk Symphony, Lili Boulanger’s D’un Matin de Printemps (Of a Spring Morning), and Gershwin’s An American in Paris
March will bring a new format to the MSO with a concert curated by the orchestra. The program will feature music that was hand-selected by the orchestra to share with the community. The evening will end with an after-party where the audience can meet the orchestra!
Hersh and the MSO will be joined by violinist Tai Murray in April for Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor. The program will also feature pieces by Piazzolla, Farrenc, and Bach.
The Classics Series will end with Beethoven’s monumental Symphony No. 9 which will feature the MSO Chorus and soloists.
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) will open its 93rd season with new Music Director Nicholas Hersh with Tchaikovsky & Copland on Friday, October 13 and Saturday, October 14, 2023. The program will start with Mozart’s Overture to The Marriage of Figaro then will feature pianist Alessio Bax on Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1. The evening will conclude with Copland’s Symphony No. 3 which features the well-known theme from Fanfare for the Common Man. As part of the opening weekend festivities, the MSO will have an after-party in the lobby to celebrate the new season and their new Music Director Nicholas Hersh.
“We are so excited to open our Classics Series with our new Music Director Nicholas Hersh,” said Caroline Nickel, President and CEO of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra Association. “Nick immediately started to work completing the programming for our season and we are so excited to share it with the community. Everyone at the MSO is thrilled to have Nick’s artistic leadership and we can’t wait to see where we’ll go from here.”
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 2023-24 CLASSICS SeRIES
Five concerts performed on both Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM in the Mary Stuart Rogers Theater at Gallo Center for the Arts.
Tchaikovsky & Copland
October 13 & 14, 2023 at 7:30pm
Nicholas Hersh, conductor
Alessio Bax, piano
PROGRAM
Amadeus Mozart: Overture to The Marriage of Figaro
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1
Aaron Copland: Symphony No. 3
Gershwin’s An American in Paris
February 9 & 10, 2024 at 7:30pm
Nicholas Hersh, conductor
PROGRAM
William Dawson: Negro Folk Symphony
Lili Boulanger: D’un Matin de Printemps (Of a Spring Morning)
George Gershwin: An American in Paris
Symphonic Soundtrack
March 15 & 16, 2024 at 7:30pm
Nicholas Hersh, conductor
Symphonic Soundtrack is a brand-new concert experience which will feature a special program curated by your MSO musicians and conclude with an afterparty that everyone can enjoy!
Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto
April 12 & 13, 2024 at 7:30pm
Nicholas Hersh, conductor
Tai Murray, violin
PROGRAM
Astor Piazzolla: Tangazo
Louise Farrenc: Symphony No. 3 in G minor
Johann Sebastian Bach, arr. Hersh: “Little Fugue” in G minor
Felix Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E minor
Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9
May 10 & 11, 2024 at 7:30pm
Nicholas Hersh, conductor
Featuring the MSO Chorus
Daniel R. Afonso Jr., chorus director
TICKETS:
Single Tickets: $20 / 36 / 52 / 72 / 94
$12 student tickets available at the Gallo Center Ticket Office. Students can purchase two $12 tickets with their student ID.
Subscription packages are available now online, by phone, and at the Gallo Center Ticket Office. Visit ModestoSymphony.org for full details.
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 to 6:00pm and Saturdays 12:00pm to 6:00pm.
Phone: 209-338-2100
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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 Appoints Nicholas Hersh as Music Director
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra Association (MSOA) is excited to announce that the Board of Directors has named Nicholas Hersh as the organization’s next Music Director. Hersh is only the ninth music director for the Modesto Symphony Orchestra and he will lead the MSOA’s 93rd season. Hersh’s artistic leadership will bring innovative, captivating, and exciting ideas and programs into our community and his passion for music education will help guide our existing education programs to new heights.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
(209) 523-4156
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
UNDER EMBARGO UNTIL:
August 22, 2023 at 10:00 AM PST
(Pictured: Nicholas Hersh, MSO Music Director–photo by Stephanie Nolt; Nicholas Hersh performing with the MSO, November 2022–photo by Brad Ancheta)
Modesto Symphony Orchestra Appoints Nicholas Hersh as Music Director
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra Association (MSOA) is excited to announce that the Board of Directors has named Nicholas Hersh as the organization’s next Music Director. Hersh is only the ninth music director for the Modesto Symphony Orchestra and he will lead the MSOA’s 93rd season. Hersh’s artistic leadership will bring innovative, captivating, and exciting ideas and programs into our community and his passion for music education will help guide our existing education programs to new heights.
MSO’s Music Director search began in 2018 with an initial response of over 200 applicants, “The process of selecting a new Music Director has been an inspiring experience for the MSOA Board of Directors,” says Board Chairperson Steve Pallios. “Careful deliberation, coordination, and planning went into choosing our next artistic leader. Nick has a passion for producing high-quality performances and enhancing our community’s quality of life through music. The Board and I are looking forward to Nick‘s ambitions for the MSOA through innovative and collaborative programming and understanding of what our community needs.”
In his first season with the MSOA, Hersh will lead the entire 2023-24 Classics Series. Hersh will work with the MSOA to complete each program and ensure it complements the orchestra and guest artists while being exciting and captivating for the community as well as meeting his artistic standard. The Modesto Symphony Orchestra will also be Hersh’s first Music Directorship.
“I am beyond thrilled that my first music directorship will be in such a vibrant, music-loving city as Modesto,” says newly appointed MSOA Music Director Nicholas Hersh, “There was a certain electricity in the Gallo Center when the MSO musicians and I collaborated last year, shared not only onstage but with the audience as well; together we'll grow that energy, creating bespoke artistic experiences for the entire Modesto community and cementing the role of music education for all ages as a driver of social good. I can't wait to be back in Modesto this October for Tchaikovsky's blazing Piano Concerto No. 1 with Alessio Bax, whose inventive musicianship I've long admired, as well as a season full of both new discoveries and fast favorites!”
“Nick immediately impressed us with his thoughtful consideration of our entire organization, collaborating with our staff, and connecting with our musicians and audiences,” says Caroline Nickel, President and CEO. “We invited Nick to join us last season due to his reputation and notable conducting engagements, but after working with him in November, his personality and enthusiasm for both orchestral performances and music education shined through. I had the opportunity to reconnect with him, and I knew he would be a great fit for our organization and the values that we strive for. We’re excited to welcome him on board, and we can’t wait to see him lead our orchestra in his Music Director debut this October.”
Hersh, an American conductor and a rising star in the world of classical music, brings to Modesto an array of talents and accomplishments. During his tenure as Associate Conductor with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO), he led the symphony in numerous concerts and directed Baltimore’s education and family programming as well as serving as Artistic Director of the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra. Hersh created the BSO Pulse series, through which he brought together prominent indie bands and orchestral musicians in unique collaborations.
Additionally, Hersh frequently works with major symphony orchestras including the National Symphony Orchestra, Houston, Colorado, and the Peabody Orchestra of John Hopkins University. Hersh is also a successful arranger and orchestrator, and audiences that attended his debut with the Modesto Symphony in November 2022 were treated to his orchestral arrangement of Franz Schubert’s String Quartet No. 14, “Death and the Maiden.”
The MSOA is excited to enter this new era with Hersh and bring innovation not only on stage but in our community. Join us in welcoming Nicholas Hersh as he leads the MSO in the following programs:
Artist bio
Nicholas Hersh
American conductor Nicholas Hersh has earned critical acclaim for his innovative programming and natural ability to connect with musicians and audiences alike.
In the 2023-24 season, Hersh returns to the National, Houston, Baltimore, Colorado, and New Jersey Symphonies, while making debuts with the Springfield Symphony and Wintergreen Festival. Recent include engagements with the Detroit, Grand Rapids, New World, North Carolina, Phoenix, Portland (ME), Richmond, Tucson, Utah, and Winston-Salem symphony orchestras, Louisiana and Rochester Philharmonics, and the Florida and Sarasota Orchestras.
Over a remarkable tenure as Associate Conductor of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Hersh created the BSO Pulse series, through which he brought together indie bands and orchestral musicians in unique collaborations; he led the BSO in several subscription weeks, and concerts in and around Baltimore; and he directed the BSO’s educational and family programming, including the celebrated Academy for adult amateur musicians. Hersh also maintains a close relationship with the National Symphony Orchestra, leading concerts throughout Washington, D.C. He stepped in to replace an indisposed Yan Pascal Tortelier, on subscription, to great acclaim.
Hersh is frequently in demand as an arranger and orchestrator, with commissions from orchestras around the globe for adaptations of everything from classical solo and chamber music to popular songs. His orchestration of Beethoven’s Cello Sonata Op. 69 was premiered by the Philharmonie Zuidnederland in January 2022, while his symphonic arrangement of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody continues to see worldwide success as a viral YouTube hit. He also serves as arranger and editor for the James P. Johnson Orchestra Edition.
Hersh grew up in Evanston, Illinois and started his musical training as a cellist. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Stanford University and a Master’s Degree in Conducting from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Hersh is also a two-time recipient of the Solti Foundation Career Assistance Award. Nicholas lives in Philadelphia with his wife Caitlin and their two cats, and in his free time enjoys baking (and eating) sourdough bread.
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. 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 2023-2024 season marks the Modesto Symphony’s 93rd 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: Modesto Symphony Orchestra 2023-24 Season Announcement
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) presents their 93rd season. The MSO’s season will kick off with Picnic at the Pops! This year’s Picnic will feature the music of Aretha Franklin with guest vocalists Capathia Jenkins and Darryl Jovan Williams. The MSO’s first concert at the Gallo Center for the Arts will be in October when they open their Classics Series with Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 featuring pianist Alessio Bax.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / May 4, 2023
Click to download high-resolution photos. (Pictured from left to right: top row: Alessio Bax, Tai Murray, Ashley Brown, MSO Chorus; bottom row: Picnic at the Pops, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert)
Modesto Symphony Orchestra 2023-24 Season Announcement
The MSO’s 93rd season features outstanding guest artists and the MSO Chorus.
The Classics Series will feature pieces by Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn, Beethoven, and more.
The Pops Series will be conducted by Principal Pops Conductor Ryan Murray and includes Holiday Pops!, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert, and Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert!
The 27th annual Picnic at the Pops! Featuring the music of Aretha Franklin!
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) presents their 93rd season. The MSO’s season will kick off with Picnic at the Pops! This year’s Picnic will feature the music of Aretha Franklin with guest vocalists Capathia Jenkins and Darryl Jovan Williams. The MSO’s first concert at the Gallo Center for the Arts will be in October when they open their Classics Series with Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 featuring pianist Alessio Bax.
This year the MSO will return to their typical five-concert offering for their Classics Series, and each will have performances on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 PM at the Gallo Center for the Arts. In addition to the Classics Series, the MSO also offers a three-concert Pops Series which includes Holiday Pops! and Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert. The Pops Series will be conducted by Principal Pops Conductor, Ryan Murray.
“We are thrilled to present our 93rd Season! This upcoming season we will expand our offerings as we return to our 5-concert Classics Series and every Pops Series concert will have two performances again! Next season has a wide variety of music starting off with Picnic at the Pops and the music of Aretha Franklin, Beethoven’s monumental Symphony No. 9 with our Chorus, and we’ll be performing two different movie concerts as well,” said Caroline Nickel, President and CEO of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra Association. “We’re extremely optimistic for the future of the MSO! Our next Music Director will be appointed soon and will fill out our 2023-24 Classics Series programming this summer.”
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 2023-24 Season overview
Classics Series:
5 concerts performed on both Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM in the Mary Stuart Rogers Theater at Gallo Center for the Arts.
The full programming for the Classics Series will be completed by the MSO’s new Music Director this summer.
Opening the Classics Series on October 13 & 14, 2023 features pianist Alessio Bax on Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1. Once deemed “impossible to play,” Tchaikovsky’s ambitious masterpiece is now one of the most popular piano concertos in the world. This passionate and thrilling piece flourishes under internationally celebrated pianist, Alessio Bax’s fingertips.
The MSO will perform Gershwin’s An American in Paris on February 9 & 10, 2024. An American in Paris is a vivid musical postcard with sweeping, romantic melodies punctuated by blues and jazz-inspired rhythms. Be transported to the City of Love with this Gershwin classic that inspired the movie-musical of the same name, starring Gene Kelly, that went on to win six Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Musical Score.
On March 15 & 16, 2024 the MSO will bring a new concert experience to Modesto with Symphonic Soundtrack. The evening will feature a special program curated by your Modesto Symphony Orchestra musicians and conclude with an afterparty for the entire audience to enjoy and meet the orchestra!
The MSO will be joined by violinist Tai Murray on April 12 & 13, 2024 for Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto. Described as “superb” by the New York Times, violinist Tai Murray proves her technical prowess and effortless grace with Mendelssohn’s wonderfully uplifting and energetic Violin Concerto in E minor. Mendelssohn’s masterpiece remains among the world’s most prominent and highly regarded violin concertos in history.
The MSO will conclude its Classics Series on May 10 & 11, 2024 with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. Ludwig van Beethoven’s final symphony weaves together themes of brother and sisterhood into a powerful and sweeping chorus widely considered the most recognizable musical work ever written. Featuring the MSO Chorus and four spectacular vocalists, this concert captures Beethoven’s vision of hope with power and authenticity. Whether you’re a serious classical music lover, or new to the symphony, this is one piece you won’t want to miss!
Pops Series:
3 concerts with performances on Fridays at 7:30pm and Saturdays at 2pm in the Mary Stuart Rogers Theater at the Gallo Center for the Arts. Conducted by Principal Pops Conductor Ryan Murray.
The MSO will open their Pops Series with Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert Live to Film! Last performed in 2017, this concert sold out and was a record-breaking success for the Modesto Symphony! Join the MSO on November 3, 2023 at 7:30 pm and November 4, 2023 at 2:00 pm as they celebrate the 30th anniversary of this fan-favorite film.
December will bring a celebration of the Holiday Season with the ever-popular Holiday Pops! concert lead by conductor Ryan Murray. The MSO will bring back Broadway’s Ashley Brown to kick off the holiday season with the MSO and MSO Chorus on December 1, 2023 at 7:30 pm and December 2, 2023 at 2:00 pm.
The Pops Series will close with Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert led by conductor Ryan Murray! Fans will be able to experience the full movie with the MSO performing the full score live to film on May 31, 2024 at 7:30 pm & June 1, 2024 at 2:00 pm.
Special COMMUNITY ConcertS:
Picnic at the Pops on September 9, 2023 and the Holiday Candlelight Concert in December.
The Modesto Symphony Orchestra will present their 27th Annual Picnic at the Pops on September 9, 2023 with Aretha: A Tribute! Grounds open at 5:00 pm and the concert begins at 7:30 pm at the E. & J. Gallo Winery.
MSO Chorus Director Dr. Daniel R. Afonso Jr. once again leads the Modesto Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, plus the Opus Handbell Ensemble in a special concert that has become a treasured community tradition. This year’s concert will be in a new venue as St. Stanislaus Catholic Church undergoes renovations. Details will be announced soon.
Tickets
Subscription packages and single tickets for the MSO’s 2023-24 Season will be available June 5th, 2023, online, by phone, and at the Gallo Center Ticket Office. Visit ModestoSymphony.org for full details.
Renewing MSO Subscribers can renew today by calling the Modesto Symphony Orchestra office at 209-523-4156 or the Gallo Center Ticket Office at 209-338-2100.
Gallo Center Ticket Office
Hours: Monday through Friday 10:00am to 6:00pm and Saturdays 12:00pm – 6:00pm.
Phone: 209.338.2100
Full 2023-2024 Season Listing
CLASSICS SERIES
Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1
October 13 & 14, 2023 at 7:30pm
Conductor to be announced
Alessio Bax, piano
Gershwin’s An American in Paris
February 9 & 10, 2024 at 7:30pm
Conductor to be announced
Symphonic Soundtrack
March 15 & 16, 2024 at 7:30pm
Conductor to be announced
Symphonic Soundtrack is a brand-new concert experience which will feature a special program curated by your MSO musicians and conclude with an afterparty that everyone can enjoy!
Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto
April 12 & 13, 2024 at 7:30pm
Conductor to be announced
Tai Murray, violin
Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9
May 10 & 11, 2024 at 7:30pm
Conductor to be announced
Featuring the MSO Chorus
Daniel R. Afonso Jr., chorus director
*EXCITING NEWS THIS SUMMER 2023!
The MSO’s next Music Director will be selected soon, and they will finalize our Classics Series concerts this summer. Stay tuned for more information!
POPS SERIES
Ryan Murray, Principal Pops Conductor
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert Live to Film
November 2, 2023 at 7:30pm
November 3, 2023 at 2:00pm
Ryan Murray, conductor
Presentation licensed by Disney Concerts. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. © DISNEY
Holiday Pops!
December 1, 2023 at 7:30pm
December 2, 2023 at 2:00pm
Ryan Murray, conductor
Ashley Brown, vocalist
MSO Chorus, Daniel R. Afonso Jr., director
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert
Live Orchestra with Full Length Film
May 31, 2024 at 7:30pm
June 1, 2024 at 2:00pm
Ryan Murray, conductor
© 1983 & TM LUCASFILM LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. © DISNEY. Presentation licensed by Disney Concerts in association with 20th Century Fox, Lucasfilm Ltd., and Warner/Chappell Music.
Special Community Concerts
Picnic at the Pops! Aretha: A Tribute
with the Modesto Symphony
September 9, 2023
E. & J. Gallo Winery Grounds
Grounds open at 5:00pm
Concert starts at 7:30pm
Ryan Murray, conductor
Capathia Jenkins, guest vocalist
Darryl Jovan Williams, guest vocalist
Holiday Candlelight Concert
December 2023
Daniel R. Afonso Jr., conductor
MSO Chorus, Daniel R. Afonso Jr., director
St. Stanislaus Catholic Church is undergoing major renovations and this year’s Holiday Candlelight Concert will take place in a different venue. We look forward to returning to St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in 2024, but we guarantee this year’s concert will be just as festive and warm as ever. Details will be announced soon.
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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.