Press Release: Notice Of Artist Change: Pianist Alexander Korsantia To Perform With Modesto Symphony On April 1 & 2 Concerts
MODESTO, CA - The Modesto Symphony Orchestra will be joined by pianist Alexander Korsantia in place of Marika Bournaki for the April 1 & 2 performances of Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3. The program, led by conductor Dirk Meyer, will also include the MSO premiere of Golijov’s Sidereus and conclude with Brahms’ Symphony No. 1.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
(209) 523-4156
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / MARCH 23, 2022
Click to download high-resolution photos
Notice Of Artist Change: Pianist Alexander Korsantia To Perform With Modesto Symphony On April 1 & 2 Concerts
The MSO welcomes pianist Alexander Korsantia for a performance of Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3.
MODESTO, CA - The Modesto Symphony Orchestra will be joined by pianist Alexander Korsantia in place of Marika Bournaki for the April 1 & 2 performances of Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3. The program, led by conductor Dirk Meyer, will also include the MSO premiere of Golijov’s Sidereus and conclude with Brahms’ Symphony No. 1.
Alexander Korsantia is an award-winning pianist who has performed in many of the world’s major concerts halls and with orchestras including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony, and Israel Philharmonic. Korsantia is a native of the country of Georgia and is currently on faculty at the New England Conservatory in Boston.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, Prokofiev & Brahms
Friday, April 1, 2022 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, April 2, 2022 at 7:30 pm
Dirk Meyer, conductor & Music Director Finalist
Alexander Korsantia, piano
PROGRAM
Golijov: Sidereus
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, op. 26
Brahms: Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, op. 68
Gallo Center for the Arts,
Mary Stuart Rogers Theater
1000 I Street, Modesto
TICKETS:
Pricing: $19 / 39 / 54 / 71 / 94
$12 student tickets available at the Gallo Center Ticket Office. Students can purchase two $12 tickets with their student ID.
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
All ticket holders must provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 test* taken within 48 hours of performance. Masks are recommended for all.
*Home tests are not accepted.
Artist Biographies
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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 Prokofiev & Brahms April 1 & 2
MODESTO, CA - The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) welcomes conductor Dirk Meyer to the podium for their concerts on April 1 & 2, 2022. The weekend’s program will open with the MSO premiere of Golijov’s Sidereus and feature Marika Bournaki on Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3. The evening concludes with Brahms’ Symphony No. 1.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
(209) 523-4156
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / MARCH 11, 2022
Click to download high-resolution photos
Modesto Symphony Orchestra Performs
Prokofiev & Brahms April 1 & 2
Program includes MSO premiere of Osvaldo Golijov’s Sidereus, Johannes Brahms’ Symphony No. 1, and Sergei Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 featuring pianist Marika Bournaki
MODESTO, CA - The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) welcomes conductor Dirk Meyer to the podium for their concerts on April 1 & 2, 2022. The weekend’s program will open with the MSO premiere of Golijov’s Sidereus and feature Marika Bournaki on Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3. The evening concludes with Brahms’ Symphony No. 1.
“We are excited to welcome Dirk Meyer to Modesto,” says Caroline Nickel, President and CEO of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. “Dirk briefly visited Modesto in 2019 when we were just starting our Music Director search and we were impressed with his strong artistic vision and attention to detail, and we’re excited for where that could take the MSO in the future. Our concerts on April 1st and 2nd will be his first time conducting our orchestra and we’re looking forward to seeing him work with the orchestra and how he connects with the community.”
Dirk Meyer is one of the MSO’s Music Director Finalists and the April 1 & 2 concerts will serve as a preview for the staff, orchestra, and community to get to know him. The MSO’s Music Director search officially started in 2018 with nearly 200 applicants and has since narrowed down to three finalists.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, Prokofiev & Brahms
Friday, April 1, 2022 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, April 2, 2022 at 7:30 pm
Dirk Meyer, conductor & Music Director Finalist
Marika Bournaki, piano
PROGRAM
Golijov: Sidereus
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, op. 26
Brahms: Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, op. 68
Gallo Center for the Arts,
Mary Stuart Rogers Theater
1000 I Street, Modesto
TICKETS:
Pricing: $19 / 39 / 54 / 71 / 94
$12 student tickets available at the Gallo Center Ticket Office. Students can purchase two $12 tickets with their student ID.
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
All ticket holders must provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 test* taken within 48 hours of performance. Masks are recommended for all.
*Home tests are not accepted.
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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: Notice of Conductor and Program Change: Modesto Symphony Orchestra Welcomes Guest Conductor for March 4 & 5 Concerts
MODESTO, CA - The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) welcomes conductor Akiko Fujimoto to the podium for their concerts on March 4 & 5, 2022. The weekend’s program will open with George Walker’s Lyric for Strings and Korngold’s Violin Concerto which will feature Charles Yang. The program will conclude with Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
(209) 523-4156
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / JANUARY 31, 2022
Click to download high-resolution photos
Notice of Conductor and Program Change: Modesto Symphony Orchestra Welcomes Guest Conductor for March 4 & 5 Concerts
Conductor Akiko Fujimoto joins the Modesto Symphony for Korngold Violin Concerto and Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8
MODESTO, CA - The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) welcomes conductor Akiko Fujimoto to the podium for their concerts on March 4 & 5, 2022. The weekend’s program will open with George Walker’s Lyric for Strings and Korngold’s Violin Concerto which will feature Charles Yang. The program will conclude with Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8.
“We are excited to welcome Akiko Fujimoto to Modesto” says Caroline Nickel, President and CEO of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. “Akiko will be introducing our community to a beautiful piece named Lyric for Strings written by George Walker. Walker was the first African American composer to have won the Pulitzer Prize for Music and we are thrilled to be able to perform it alongside the Korngold Violin Concerto and Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8. We’re to also happy to welcome back Charles Yang who last performed with the MSO in 2017 with Time for Three”
Fujimoto will be replacing Keitaro Harada as he is unable to travel to the U.S. due to strict COVID-19 travel quarantine protocols in place in Japan. Harada has also withdrawn from the MSO’s Music Director Search. Fujimoto is currently the Music Director for the Mid-Texas Symphony and will be making her San Francisco Symphony debut in February 2022.
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, KORNGOLD & DVOŘÁK
Friday, March 4, 2022 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, December 5, 2022 at 7:30 pm
Akiko Fujimoto, guest conductor
Charles Yang, violin
PROGRAM
Walker: Lyric for Strings
Korngold: Concerto in D Major for Violin, op. 35
Dvořák: Symphony No. 8
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
All ticket holders must wear a mask AND provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 test* taken within 48 hours of performance.
*Home tests are not accepted.
Artist Biographies
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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