Press Release: Modesto Symphony Orchestra to Present Virtual Holiday Concert December 16
MODESTO, CA - The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) will present Holidays at Home with the MSO on Wednesday, December 16 at 7:00pm. This virtual holiday concert will be hosted by Associate Conductor Ryan Murray and will feature performances by the MSO Brass Quintet, the MSO Chorus, and a special performance by the Central West Ballet. The program will include Sleigh Ride, Chanukkah Latkes, The First Noel, and other holiday favorites.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / December 2, 2020
Click to download high-resolution photos
Modesto Symphony Orchestra to Present Virtual Holiday Concert December 16
Featuring the MSO Brass Quintet, Chorus, and Community Special Guests
MODESTO, CA - The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) will present Holidays at Home with the MSO on Wednesday, December 16 at 7:00pm. This virtual holiday concert will be hosted by Associate Conductor Ryan Murray and will feature performances by the MSO Brass Quintet, the MSO Chorus, and a special performance by the Central West Ballet. The program will include Sleigh Ride, Chanukkah Latkes, The First Noel, and other holiday favorites.
This virtual concert will be the MSO’s fifth livestreamed concert this season and will be streamed on the Modesto Symphony’s YouTube channel. Recordings of this concert and other past MSO events will be available to watch at ModestoSymphony.org. All MSO virtual concerts are free of charge to help bring music to the community.
“We wanted to create a concert that would remind everyone of our traditional Holiday Pops and Holiday Candlelight Concert to bring some cheer to everyone during this unique holiday season,” said Caroline Nickel, President and CEO of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. “I think we’ve put together a really fun and festive virtual holiday concert and, with support from Morgan Stanley, we’re excited to be able to keep this concert free to all for everyone to enjoy.”
MODESTO SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRA, Holidays at Home with the MSO
Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 7:00 pm on the Modesto Symphony’s YouTube channel
Ryan Murray, host
PROGRAM
MSO Brass Quintet
Chanukkah Latkes by Traditional, arr. Forrest Byram
Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson, arr. Keith Snell
Canzona per Sonare No. 2 by Giovanni Gabrieli, arr. Robert King
MSO Chorus
Daniel R. Afonso Jr., chorus director
The First Noel by John Stainer
Joy to the World by Lowell Mason & Isaac Watts
And a special performance by Central West Ballet
Streaming for free on the Modesto Symphony’s YouTube channel
Full concert details are available on the MSO website.
This virtual performance is free to all and supported in part by Morgan Stanley, Kelly McMurray, Senior Vice President.
Artist Biographies
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The Modesto Symphony Orchestra is a resident company of the Gallo Center for the Arts
The Modesto Symphony Orchestra’s 90th season is generously supported by
E. & J. Gallo Winery
John & June Rogers
Porges Family Foundation
Boyett Petroleum
Beard Land and Investment Co.
Atticus, LLP
Press Release: Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra To Present Virtual Concert November 18
MODESTO, CA - The Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra (MSYO), led by Music Director Ryan Murray, will open its 45th season with a virtual concert on Wednesday, November 18 at 7:00 pm. The virtual performance will feature both MSYO orchestras performing pieces including Pachelbel’s Canon and Bizet’s Carmen Suite No. 1., as well as two MSYO student soloists.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / October 28, 2020
Click to download high-resolution photos
Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra To Present Virtual Concert November 18
MODESTO, CA - The Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra (MSYO), led by Music Director Ryan Murray, will open its 45th season with a virtual concert on Wednesday, November 18 at 7:00 pm. The virtual performance will feature both MSYO orchestras performing pieces including Pachelbel’s Canon and Bizet’s Carmen Suite No. 1., as well as two MSYO student soloists.
“We’ve had a wonderful time connecting with our students virtually this year,” said MSYO Music Director Ryan Murray. “Although the format is much different than a live in-person rehearsal, there are some unique opportunities to rehearsing virtually. The students get much more one-on-one attention from their instructors and the skills they are learning now, like video recording and being leaders of their own sections, will continue to serve our students in their musical endeavors going forward and will make our youth orchestra even stronger once we’re back to an in-person format. We’re also excited that our students can easily share their virtual performances with friends and family that live all over the world.”
This virtual concert will be the MSYO’s first of a three-concert season. The concert will be shown live on the Modesto Symphony’s YouTube channel. Recordings of this concert and other past MSO events will be available to watch at ModestoSymphony.org. All MSYO virtual concerts are free of charge to help bring music to the community.
“In a year where so much is different, one of our goals was to make sure our MSYO students continued to receive the highest level of music education,” said Caroline Nickel, President and CEO of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. “The MSYO staff has done a fantastic job keeping the students engaged and challenged through virtual rehearsals and we’re excited to show what they have accomplished in such a short period of time.”
The MSYO program provides a full orchestral experience for young musicians from around the region and is made up of two full-orchestras (strings, winds, and percussion). The MSYO Concert Orchestra (Grades 5-9) is conducted by Don Grishaw and the MSYO Symphony Orchestra (Grades 9-12) is conducted by Ryan Murray. Both ensembles typically perform a three-concert series at the Gallo Center for the Arts each season. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the MSYO musicians currently meet and rehearse weekly via Zoom and each musician recorded their individual part at home to produce this concert. More information about the MSYO can be found at ModestoSymphony.org/About-MSYO.
MODESTO SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRA, Virtual Fall Concert
Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at 7:00 pm on the Modesto Symphony’s YouTube channel
Ryan Murray, MSYO Music Director and conductor
Don Grishaw, conductor
PROGRAM
Edward Jurey: A La Mariachi
Johann Pachelbel: Pachelbel’s Canon
Georges Bizet: Carmen Suite No. 1
Streaming for free on the Modesto Symphony’s YouTube channel
Full concert details are available on the MSO website.
This virtual performance is free to all and supported in part by Modesto Irrigation District.
Artist Biographies
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The Modesto Symphony Orchestra is a resident company of the Gallo Center for the Arts
The Modesto Symphony Orchestra’s 90th season is generously supported by
E. & J. Gallo Winery
John & June Rogers
Porges Family Foundation
Boyett Petroleum
Beard Land and Investment Co.
Atticus, LLP
Press Release: Modesto Symphony Orchestra to Present Virtual Cello Recital October 21
MODESTO, CA - The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) will present a virtual recital featuring cellist Julian Schwarz with pianist Marika Bournaki and hosted by Associate Conductor Ryan Murray on Wednesday, October 21 at 7:00 pm. The virtual performance will feature a variety of works for cello by Beethoven, Brahms, Korngold and more.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / October 14, 2020
(From left to right: Julian Schwarz (Matt Dine), Schwarz performing with the MSO in 2014 (Diane Moody))
Click to download high-resolution photos
Modesto Symphony Orchestra to Present Virtual Cello Recital October 21
Cellist Julian Schwarz in Recital, hosted by Ryan Murray
MODESTO, CA - The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) will present a virtual recital featuring cellist Julian Schwarz with pianist Marika Bournaki and hosted by Associate Conductor Ryan Murray on Wednesday, October 21 at 7:00 pm. The virtual performance will feature a variety of works for cello by Beethoven, Brahms, Korngold and more.
“October usually marks the start of our Classics series, so we wanted to bring a guest artist to our virtual MSO at Home series,” said Caroline Nickel, President and CEO of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. “Julian Schwarz is a fantastic cellist and he performed with the MSO back in 2014. We’re so excited to have him perform in recital for our community and we can’t wait to see him again!”
This will be the MSO’s fourth free virtual event in its MSO at Home series. This recital will be shown live on the MSO’s YouTube channel. Recordings of this event and other past events are available to watch at ModestoSymphony.org. The MSO’s virtual events are free of charge to help bring music to everyone in the community.
The MSO’s Conductor’s Circle donors are invited to a virtual Post-Concert Reception following Julian Schwarz’s recital. For more information on the reception, please contact Carole Richard, Director of Development at crichard@modestosymphony.org or 209-523-4156 x107.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, MSO at Home: Julian Schwarz in Recital
Hosted by Ryan Murray
Wednesday, October 21, 2020 at 7:00 pm on the Modesto Symphony’s YouTube channel
Julian Schwarz, violin
Marika Bournaki, piano
Ryan Murray, host
PROGRAM
Ludwig van Beethoven: Cello Sonata in D Major, Op. 102, No. 2, I. Allegro con brio
Erich Wolfgang Korngold: Much Ado about Nothing, Op. 11 (arr. J. Schwarz), III. Scene in the Garden, IV. Masquerade: Hornpipe
Ernest Bloch: Méditation Hébraïque
Johannes Brahms: Scherzo (“Sonatensatz”)
Claude Debussy: Sonata in D minor, II. Sérénade, III. Finale
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: African Dance #2 from 4 African Dances, Op. 58
Streaming for free on the Modesto Symphony’s YouTube channel - Click here for the direct link
A recording of the virtual recital will be available from the same link following the performance.
Artist Biographies
###
The Modesto Symphony Orchestra is a resident company of the Gallo Center for the Arts
The Modesto Symphony Orchestra’s 90th season is generously supported by
E. & J. Gallo Winery
John & June Rogers
Porges Family Foundation
Boyett Petroleum
Beard Land and Investment Co.
Atticus, LLP
Press Release: Modesto Symphony Orchestra To Present Virtual Event Featuring Ryan Murray And Don Grishaw
MODESTO, CA - The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) will present a free virtual event featuring MSO Associate Conductor and Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra (MSYO) Music Director Ryan Murray and MSYO conductor Don Grishaw on Wednesday, September 23 at 7:00 pm. The live event will feature performances by Ryan Murray, Don Grishaw and his son Andrew (an MSYO alumni), and the MSYO String Quartet.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / September 15, 2020
(From left to right: MSYO conductor Don Grishaw, MSO Associate Conductor Ryan Murray)
Click to download high-resolution photos
Modesto Symphony Orchestra To Present Virtual Event Featuring Ryan Murray And Don Grishaw
MODESTO, CA - The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) will present a free virtual event featuring MSO Associate Conductor and Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra (MSYO) Music Director Ryan Murray and MSYO conductor Don Grishaw on Wednesday, September 23 at 7:00 pm. The live event will feature performances by Ryan Murray, Don Grishaw and his son Andrew (an MSYO alumni), and the MSYO String Quartet.
“We’re excited to put the spotlight on our MSYO artistic staff and feature our conductors Ryan Murray and Don Grishaw,” said Caroline Nickel, President and CEO of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. “We are all accustomed to seeing them on the podium, but we wanted to give our audiences the chance to hear Ryan and Don perform in a recital setting and to see some of their work with the MSYO students.”
This will be the MSO’s third free virtual event and will be shown live on the MSO’s YouTube channel. Recordings of this event and past events are available to watch at ModestoSymphony.org. The MSO’s virtual events are free of charge to help bring music to everyone in the community.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, MSO at Home: Spotlight on the MSYO
Hosted by Ryan Murray
Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at 7:00 pm on the Modesto Symphony’s YouTube channel
PROGRAM
Ryan Murray on bassoon
Don and Andrew Grishaw performing a viola duet
The MSYO String Quartet performing a piece by Vivaldi
Selections from past MSYO concerts
Streaming for free on the Modesto Symphony’s YouTube channel - Click here for the direct link
A recording of the virtual recital will be available from the same link following the performance.
This virtual performance is free to all and supported in part by H. Dieter and Hanna Renning.
Artist Biographies
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The Modesto Symphony Orchestra is a Resident Company of The Gallo Center for the Arts
Press Release: Modesto Symphony Orchestra Announces Cancellation Of All Concerts Through March 2021
MODESTO, CA - The Modesto Symphony Orchestra Association (MSOA) announces the cancellation of all concerts through March 2021 due to COVID-19. These cancellations are in accordance with Stanislaus County and statewide guidelines stating that large gatherings and live concert performances will not be permitted until the final stage of the reopening process. The MSOA will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation and also look for other opportunities, venues, and scenarios for the community while keeping audiences, musicians, and staff safe.
Modesto Symphony Orchestra Announces Cancellation Of All Concerts Through March 2021
MSO’S 90TH SEASON REIMAGINED THROUGH VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING
MODESTO, CA - The Modesto Symphony Orchestra Association (MSOA) announces the cancellation of all concerts through March 2021 due to COVID-19. These cancellations are in accordance with Stanislaus County and statewide guidelines stating that large gatherings and live concert performances will not be permitted until the final stage of the reopening process. The MSOA will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation and also look for other opportunities, venues, and scenarios for the community while keeping audiences, musicians, and staff safe.
Like most cultural organizations across the country, the MSOA has not been immune to the financial repercussions due to COVID-19. In light of these concert cancellations, the MSOA has made some cost-saving measures that include the furlough of musicians and restructuring of staff and duties. This resulted in the elimination of one full-time position, reductions in hours and compensation for three part-time staff and two full-time staff members including the CEO who has taken a salary reduction.
This year also marks the MSOA’s 90th Season and would have introduced five Music Director finalists. Due to the pandemic and the cancellations, the finalist’s concerts have been rescheduled to the 2021-22 Season. The Music Director finalists remain enthusiastic about their debuts in Modesto.
“We are deeply disappointed to not be able to present our five Music Director candidates in our 90th Season and the impact this has on all of our musicians but know this action is necessary in order to ensure the health and safety of our orchestra, chorus, staff, and audiences,” says MSOA Board Chair Kent Johnson. “In accordance with statewide guidelines, and the closure of the Gallo Center for the Arts, we have cancelled all performances through March 2021. We remain optimistic as we reimagine this season and are excited to offer virtual events where we can stay connected as a community.”
The MSOA Board of Directors remains focused on long term viability while continuing to fulfill its mission of enriching lives through music and music education. Part of the reimagination of the 2020-21 Season will include free virtual events once a month to stay connected with the community. The events will feature MSO musicians and guest artists in recital, as well as the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra. The MSOA is able to provide existing programs and new events while fulfilling its mission, in part due to the generosity of the Symphony’s dedicated supporters.
The Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra (MSYO) will continue to meet and have virtual rehearsals and concerts until it is safe to resume in-person. Over 60 audition videos have already been received for the upcoming 2020-21 MSYO Season. Additionally, the MSOA continues to work with area schools and offer support for music education including engaging MSO musicians to perform and provide demonstrations. However, the Modesto Symphony Orchestra Chorus and Youth Chorus are suspended until it is safe to meet and sing together in-person.
Information about the MSOA’s virtual events, education programs, and how to receive monthly e-newsletters can be found at ModestoSymphony.org.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / September 11, 2020
About the Modesto Symphony Orchestra Association
The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) was founded in 1931 and worked with local leaders to establish a musical and cultural focal point. The MSO subsequently grew to serve the greater region and now includes the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra, Modesto Symphony Orchestra Chorus, and the Modesto Symphony Youth Chorus. Today, the MSOA continues to strive to enrich and enhance the community by bringing music of the highest artistic caliber and fostering lifelong music education and appreciation. Each season, the MSO performs five Classics concerts and three Pops concerts and produces two community favorites, Picnic at the Pops and the Holiday Candlelight Concert. Through its education and outreach programs, the MSOA 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.
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The Modesto Symphony Orchestra is a Resident Company of The Gallo Center for the Arts