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
Press Release: The Modesto Symphony Orchestra 2021-22 Season On Sale Now
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) returns to the concert hall for their 91st Season where they will introduce the Symphony’s four Music Director Candidates. The MSO’s season will kick off with Holiday Pops and will be followed up by the Holiday Candlelight Concert at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / JULY 12, 2021
Click to download high-resolution photos. (pictured from left to right: top row: Delta David Gier, Paul Haas, Keitaro Harada, Dirk Meyer; bottom row: Modesto Symphony Orchestra, Daniel R. Afonso Jr., Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert)
The Modesto Symphony Orchestra 2021-22 Season On Sale Now
The MSO’s 91st season features four Music Director candidates, outstanding guest artists, the MSO Chorus, and the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra.
The Classics Series will be conducted by the MSO’s Music Director candidates and will feature pieces by Prokofiev, Korngold, Márquez, Brahms, and many more.
The Pops Series includes Holiday Pops, an evening of the greatest love songs, and Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert!
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) returns to the concert hall for their 91st Season where they will introduce the Symphony’s four Music Director Candidates. The MSO’s season will kick off with Holiday Pops and will be followed up by the Holiday Candlelight Concert at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church.
The four Music Director candidates will each conduct one of the MSO’s Classics Series concerts where they will showcase their skill, personality, and musical taste. This year there will be four Classics concerts 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 this year will feature Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert.
“We are thrilled to present our new season and to see everyone again in-person! We have always been so grateful for the support of our community, but this past year really showed the importance of staying connected as a community” said Caroline Nickel, President and CEO of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra Association. “We were grateful to be able to stay connected through our virtual concerts last season and we are so excited to be able to safely bring the orchestra back to the stage to perform for our audiences in-person again.”
2021-22 Classics Series overview:
4 concerts performed on both Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM in the Mary Stuart Rogers Theater at Gallo Center for the Arts
Opening the Classics Series on January 7 & 8, 2022 is a program lead by Music Director Candidate Delta David Gier and features cellist Francisco Vila-Haas performing Márquez’s Espejos en la Arena and the mysterious and triumphant Symphony No. 5 by Shostakovich.
Music Director Candidate Keitaro Harada will lead the MSO on March 4 & 5, 2022. Harada’s program will feature violinist Charles Yang performing Korngold’s Concert in D Major for Violin and will conclude with the enchanting Symphony No. 4 by Yoshimatsu.
On April 1 & 2, 2022 the MSO will feature pianist Marika Bournaki as she performs Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with Music Director Candidate Dirk Meyer leading the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. The program will conclude with Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 in C Minor.
The MSO will conclude its Classics Series on May 6 & 7, 2022 with a program led by Music Director Candidate Paul Haas. The program will feature Silk Road Ensemble member and Grammy Award-winner Sandeep Das as he performs Wijeratne’s Concerto for Tabla. That weekend’s program will conclude with Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 in F Minor.
Pops Series:
3 concerts on Fridays at 7:30pm with an additional Saturday matinee at 2pm for two of the concerts performed in the Mary Stuart Rogers Theater at the Gallo Center for the Arts
The Pops Series begins with a celebration of the Holiday Season with the ever-popular Holiday Pops concert lead by Associate Conductor Ryan Murray. This is a great opportunity to get in the holiday spirit with the Modesto Symphony Orchestra and Chorus on December 3, 2021, at 7:30 pm and December 4, 2021 at 2pm.
The second concert in the Pops Series will be on February 11, 2022 and will feature an evening of the greatest love songs. Fall in love with your favorite songs all over again as guest conductor Stuart Chafetz leads the MSO in a Valentine’s themed concert, With Love from the MSO.
The Pops Series will close with the groundbreaking movie Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert lead by Associate Conductor Ryan Murray! Fans will be able to experience the full movie with the MSO performing the full score live to film on June 3 & 4, 2022.
Special COMMUNITY Concert:
Holiday Candlelight Concert on December 21, 2021 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church.
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 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church.
MODESTO SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRA (MSYO):
3 concerts on Saturdays at 2pm in the Mary Stuart Rogers Theater at the Gallo Center for the Arts
The MSYO, led by MSO Associate Conductor Ryan Murray, is comprised of a diverse group of 120 outstanding young musicians from around the region ranging in age from 10 - 18. The MSYO consists of two ensembles, the Concert Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra, and both perform three times per season at the Gallo Center for the Arts. Concert dates for the 2019-20 Season include: November 13, 2021 at 2pm, February 12, 2022 at 2pm and May 7, 2022 at 2pm.
Tickets
Subscription packages and single tickets for the MSO’s 2021-22 Season are on sale now, online, by phone, and at the Gallo Center for the Arts Ticket Office. Visit ModestoSymphony.org for full details.
Gallo Center Ticket Office
Hours: Monday through Friday 10:00am to 6:00pm and Saturdays 12:00pm – 6:00pm.
Phone: 209.338.2100
Full 2021-2022 Season Listing
CLASSICS SERIES
Márquez & Shostakovich
January 7 & 8, 2022 at 7:30pm
Delta David Gier, conductor & Music Director candidate
Francisco Vila-Haas, cello
Beethoven: Leonore Overture No. 3, op. 72b
Márquez: Espejos en la Arena
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5 in D Minor, op. 47
Korngold & Yoshimatsu
March 4 & 5, 2022 at 7:30pm
Keitaro Harada, conductor & Music Director candidate
Charles Yang, violin
Ticheli: Blue Shades for Orchestra
Korngold: Concerto in D Major for Violin, op. 35
Yoshimatsu: Symphony No. 4, op. 82
Prokofiev & Brahms
April 1 & 2, 2022 at 7:30pm
Dirk Meyer, conductor & Music Director candidate
Marika Bournaki, piano
Golijov: Sidereus
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, op. 26
Brahms: Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, op. 68
Wijeratne & Tchaikovsky
May 6 & 7, 2022 at 7:30pm
Paul Haas, conductor & Music Director candidate
Sandeep Das, tabla
Beethoven: Coriolan Overture, op. 62
Wijeratne: Concerto for Tabla
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4 in F Minor, op. 36
POPS SERIES
Holiday Pops!
December 3, 2021 at 7:30pm
December 4, 2021 at 2:00pm
Ryan Murray, conductor
MSO Chorus, Daniel R. Afonso Jr., director
With Love From the MSO: An Evening of the Greatest Love Songs
February 11, 2022 at 7:30pm
Stuart Chafetz, conductor
Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert
Live Orchestra with Film
June 3, 2022 at 7:30pm
June 4, 2022 at 2:00pm
Ryan Murray, conductor
© & 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
Holiday Candlelight Concert
December 21, 2021 at 8:00pm
St. Stanislaus Catholic Church
Daniel R. Afonso Jr., conductor
MSO Chorus, Daniel R. Afonso Jr., director
Opus Handbell Ensemble, Richard Colla, 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 Youth Orchestra To Present Virtual Concert May 20
MODESTO, CA - The Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra (MSYO), led by Music Director Ryan Murray, will stream their virtual Season Finale Concert on Thursday, May 20 at 7:00 pm on the Modesto Symphony YouTube channel. The virtual concert will feature both MSYO orchestras performing pieces by Bizet, Grieg, Puccini, and Rossini. The program will also feature two student soloists.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / April 29, 2021
Click to download high-resolution photos
Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra To Present Virtual Season Finale Concert May 20
MODESTO, CA - The Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra (MSYO), led by Music Director Ryan Murray, will stream their virtual Season Finale Concert on Thursday, May 20 at 7:00 pm on the Modesto Symphony YouTube channel. The virtual concert will feature both MSYO orchestras performing pieces by Bizet, Grieg, Puccini, and Rossini. The program will also feature two student soloists.
This virtual concert will be the MSYO’s final of a three-concert season. The concert will stream 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.
“We are so proud of our MSYO students and all they’ve accomplished this season,” said Caroline Nickel, President and CEO of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. “The MSYO students and staff worked very hard to continue to learn and make music together during this challenging year. I think everyone will be rather impressed when listening to their performance. We were also excited to bring them together for an outdoor rehearsal recently and give the students the opportunity to perform together in-person at least once this season. I think we are all looking forward to when we can be fully back in-person but still marvel at their growth and accomplishments through virtual rehearsals.”
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. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the MSYO 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 Season Finale Concert
Wednesday, May 20, 2021 at 7:00 pm
on the Modesto Symphony’s YouTube channel
Ryan Murray,
MSYO Music Director and conductor
Don Grishaw, conductor
PROGRAM
MSYO Concert Orchestra
Georges Bizet, arr. Merle J. Isaac: “Farandole” from L'Arlesienne Suite No. 2
Edvard Grieg, arr. Merle J. Isaac: Norwegian DancesNos. 2 & 3
MSYO Symphony Orchestra
Giacomo Puccini: “Intermezzo” from Manon Lescaut
Edvard Grieg: “In the Hall of the Mountain King” from Peer Gynt Suite
Gioachino Rossini: Overture to The Barber of Seville
Full concert details are available on the MSO website
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 Chamber Music Concert April 15
MODESTO, CA - The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) will present Chamber Music at Home with the MSO on Thursday, April 15, 2021 at 7:00pm. This virtual concert will be hosted by Associate Conductor Ryan Murray and will feature performances by the MSO Chamber String Ensemble, principal flute Johanna Borenstein, and principal bassoon David Granger. The program will include pieces by J.S. Bach, Florence Price, Gustav Holst, and a segment honoring the MSO’s 90th Anniversary.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / March 16, 2021
Click to download high-resolution images.
Modesto Symphony Orchestra To Present Virtual Chamber Music Concert April 15
MODESTO, CA - The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) will present Chamber Music at Home with the MSO on Thursday, April 15, 2021 at 7:00pm. This virtual concert will be hosted by Associate Conductor Ryan Murray and will feature performances by the MSO Chamber String Ensemble, principal flute Johanna Borenstein, and principal bassoon David Granger. The program will include pieces by J.S. Bach, Florence Price, Gustav Holst, and a segment honoring the MSO’s 90th Anniversary.
“It’s hard to believe it has been just over one year since we were last performing on stage,” said Caroline Nickel, President and CEO of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. “Under normal circumstances, we would be celebrating the 90th Anniversary of our first concert which took place on April 17, 1931. We truly cannot wait to return to stage and look forward to when we can once again experience the joy of live music together. In the meantime, we hope our April virtual concert will help to uplift spirits, celebrate our history, and connect people as we look forward to brighter days ahead.”
This virtual concert will be the MSO’s seventh 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.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, Chamber Music at Home with the MSO
Thursday, April 15 at 7:00 pm
on the Modesto Symphony’s YouTube channel
Ryan Murray, host
MSO Chamber String Ensemble
Johanna Borenstein, principal flute
David Granger, principal bassoon
PROGRAM
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Divertimento in F Major, K. 138 in F major, I. Allegro
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach: Flute Sonata in A Minor, H.562, I. Poco adagio
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cello Suite No. 2, BWV 1008, I. Prélude
Florence Price arr. Elaine Fine: Adoration
Niccolò Paganini: Caprice No. 13 in Bb Major “Devil’s Laughter”
Wilson Osborne: Rhapsody for Bassoon
Gustav Holst: St. Paul’s Suite, Op. 29 No. 2, IV. Finale (“The Dargason”)
This concert is dedicated to the memory of Anthony “Tony” Collins, MSO second trombone.
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 Judy and Mike Herrero.
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