What is a Music Director?
What is a Music Director?
The Modesto Symphony Orchestra has selected the final four candidates to be the next music director. But what is the music director’s role in an orchestra and how does it affect the MSO’s future?
Most audience members will recognize the music director as being the conductor of the orchestra. The one on the podium, masterfully wielding the baton creating waves of sound from more than 70 musicians in perfect time. However, a music director’s role spans far past the podium. The music director is the artistic leader of the orchestra, who works closely with the administrative staff to produce concerts and act as the face of the organization. Music directors are a unique blend of charismatic and passionate artists, with strong leadership and communication skills.
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The MSO’s search began in 2018 and has since narrowed down to our impressive final four candidates:
delta David Gier
Delta David Gier, currently the music director of the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, where he is recognized for his commitment to new music, and dedication to community engagement. He aims to bring this philosophy to the MSO
Keitaro Harada
Keitaro Harada, currently the music director of the Savannah Philharmonic, has a growing international presence and an interest in exploring a broad scope of works including symphonic, opera, chamber, pops, educational, as well as pursuing projects that lead to diverse programs.
Dirk Meyer
Dirk Meyer, currently the music director of the Augusta Symphony, Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, and the Lyric Opera of the North, is a champion for orchestral music being performed in innovative ways, including multimedia formats as well as collaborations of all kinds.
Paul Haas
Paul Haas, currently the music director of the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas and the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, sees the beauty in classical music and with his strong artistic vision, invites audiences see the orchestra in a brand-new way.
One of these four will be the next music director of the Modesto Symphony and will help mold and shape the symphony for the future. They will not only reflect our musicians, but be a representative of our MSO family. As an audience member of their coming concerts, you will be able to provide your feedback on each candidate. Your feedback will help us find a dynamic and captivating conductor who will bring the music to life and lead the MSO into a new era.
LIVE / MSYO Virtual Season Finale Concert
Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra Virtual Season Finale Concert
HOSTED BY RYAN MURRAY
Tune in live and watch the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra’s virtual Season Finale Concert! This virtual concert will feature both MSYO orchestras performing pieces by Bizet, Grieg, Puccini, and Rossini as well as two MSYO student soloists!
PROGRAM
MSYO CONCERT ORCHESTRA
Edvard Grieg, arr. Merle J. Isaac
Norwegian Dances Nos. 2 & 3Georges Bizet, arr. Merle J. Isaac
“Farandole” from L'Arlesienne Suite No. 2
MSYO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Gioachino Rossini
Overture to The Barber of SevilleGiacomo Puccini
“Intermezzo” from Manon LescautEdvard Grieg
“In the Hall of the Mountain King” from Peer Gynt Suite
STUDENT SOLOISTS
FRANCISCO ORTIZ, TRUMPET
Remo Giazotto & Tomaso Albinoni, transcribed by Giovanni Orsomando
Adagio in G Minor
RYAN GURULE, CELLO
Sergei Prokofiev
Cello Sonata in C Major, Op. 119II. Moderato - Andante dolce - Moderato primo
We’d love to hear what you thought about this program. Your feedback will help us plan future events!
Thank you to our generous MSYO donors whose gifts made the 2020-21 MSYO season possible. Click here for further information on how you can support MSYO, or contact Carole Richard, Director of Development, at crichard@modestosymphony.org, or call 209-523-4156. Dates, program, and artists subject to change. E&OE.
If you are experiencing any issues viewing our videos, please visit our FAQ page here or download our FAQ PDF.
LIVE / Chamber Music at Home with the MSO
Chamber Music at Home with the MSO
HOSTED BY RYAN MURRAY
Tune in for a chamber music concert featuring 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.
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”)
Featuring
We’d love to hear what you thought about this program. Your feedback will help us plan future events!
This concert is dedicated to the memory of Anthony “Tony” Collins, MSO second trombone.
This virtual performance is free to all and supported in part by Judy and Mike Herrero. Dates, program, and artists subject to change. E&OE.
If you are experiencing any issues viewing our videos, please visit our FAQ page here or download our FAQ PDF.
Celebrating 90 Years of Enriching Lives Through Music
Celebrating 90 Years of Enriching Lives Through Music
On April 17, 1931 the Modesto Symphony Orchestra held its first concert to an audience of more than 1,200 at the First Presbyterian Church Auditorium which stood at the corner of 14th and I Street.
The program opened with Glinka’s lively Russlan and Ludmilla Overture and closed with Strauss’ Blue Danube Waltz. Also on the program was Haydn’s Surprise Symphony and selections from Rossini’s William Tell and Wagner’s Tannhauser. Soloists on that auspicious evening were orchestra members Leonardo Fristrom and Homer Fair, violinists, who performed the L’Arlesienne Suite by Bizet.
The orchestra numbered 74 on opening night and included many local students. 20 of the charter members were still playing with the organization two decades later. 33 years after its founding, when Mancini directed his final concert, the names of two original members appeared on the program: cellists Malin Langstroth and Blythe Slaughter.
Orchestra Personnel, April 1931
(original listing)
First Violin: Leonardo Fristrom, Homer Fair, Harold Hilton, Helen Beard, Archie Dixon, Hilma Gerard, Bethyl Wiens, Margaret Stevens, Marguerite Graham, Ruth Ekholm, Donna Reeves, Wilson Schuler, Ruth Riddle, Jane Rydbom, Doris McCormick
Second Violin: Bill Clinkenbeard, Isadore Brachman, Larry Morey, Florence Ney, Dorothy Brooks, Earl Ekholm, Linden Moore, Lola Truman, Emma Helmick
Viola: Clarissa Green, Virginia Laird, Eugenia Fitzgerald, Albert Lotspeich
Cello: Malin Langstroth, Leonard Johnson, Loi Gushe, Mary Kiersch, Ina Bradley, Francis Riell, Blythe Slaughter, Marjorie Saveker, Thayer Jones, Zelda Cox, Wilma Secrest
Charter members, back row: Thayer Jones, Don Tingle, Malin Langstroth, Harold Bartlett; front row: Blythe Slaughter, Hilma Gerard, Margaret Bartlett
Rehearsal at Mancini Hall
Oboe: Charles Thompson, Mary Hough, Harold Blakeley
English Horn: Charles Thompson
Flute: John Wing, Edwin Taylor, Jack Cressey, Bruch Bomberger
Bassoon: Marie Jensen
Clarinet: Harold Bartlett, Max Denny, Richard Anderson, Burdean Thompson
Blass Clarinet: Margaret Redman, Tommy Clinkenbeard
Bass Viol: Norman Smith, Joe Holder, Edwin Taylor, Sam Dreizen, Margaret Campbell, Marietta Green, Raymond Goodman
Tuba: Edward Bright
This image from 1973 is of original orchestra members, Blythe Slaughter and Hilma Gerard playing in the ruins of the First Presbyterian Church, location of the first MSO concert
Trumpet: Kenneth Morris, Gordon Pearl, Galen Ebie
Horn: Murray Schrock, Robert Bell
Trombone: Morris Schrock, James Hogin, Donald Tingle
Timpani: Dale Area
Percussion: Billie Myers, Roland Hunt, Henry Grundrecker
Piano: Dorothy Zimmerman
Librarian: Gordon Pearl, Kenneth Morris, assistant
LIVE / MSYO Virtual Spring Concert
Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra Virtual Spring Concert
HOSTED BY RYAN MURRAY
Tune in live and watch the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra’s virtual Spring Concert! This concert will feature both MSYO orchestras performing movements from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 and Dvořák’s “New World” Symphony as well as three MSYO student soloists!
PROGRAM
MSYO CONCERT ORCHESTRA
Rimsky-Korsakov, arr. Sandra Dackow:
Dance of the Tumblers from “Snow Maiden”Beethoven, arranged by Charles Woodhouse:
“Finale” from 5th Symphony
MSYO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Mascagni:
“Intermezzo” from Cavalleria rusticanaDvořák:
Symphony No. 9, op. 95 (“New World”), IV. Allegro con fuoco
MSYO STUDENT SOLOISTS
RYLAN POST, VIOLIN
Bériot:
Concerto No. 9 in A Minor, Op. 104, I. Allegro maestoso
BELLA DAVILA, CELLO
Marcello:
Sonata No. 2 in E Minor, Op. 1 No. 2, I. Adagio & II. Allegro
MIKE CHEN, FLUTE
Telemann:
Ouverture Suite in A Minor, TWV 55:a2, V. Réjouissance
We’d love to hear what you thought about this program. Your feedback will help us plan future events!
This series is free to all and supported in part by Ceres Pipe & Metal, by Doug & Susan Highiet, and Freda & Rod Motto. Dates, program, and artists subject to change. E&OE.
If you are experiencing any issues viewing our videos, please visit our FAQ page here or download our FAQ PDF.
Meet Denis Harper!
Meet the MSO
Denis Harper, principal oboe
Meet MSO’s principal oboe,
Denis Harper!
As our principal oboe, Denis Harper has been consistently praised for his performances as a musician. His interpretation of Telemann’s Fantasia in A is proof of his superb talent.
Program
Georg Philipp Telemann
Fantasia No. 2 in A Minor
This series is free to all and supported in part by Jeff & Margaret Reed, The Reed Companies and the Reed Foundation. Dates, program, and artists subject to change. E&OE.
If you are experiencing any issues viewing our videos, please visit our FAQ page here or download our FAQ PDF.
Meet Adam Wolf!
Meet the MSO
Adam Wolf, horn
Meet MSO horn,
Adam Wolf!
One of our newest members of the MSO, Adam Wolf brings a brand new spin to a classic Piazzolla piece.
Program
Astor Piazzolla
Tango Etude No. 3
TANGO-ETUDES (6) by Astor Piazzolla © 1987 Copyright Editions Henry Lemoine, Paris.
This series is free to all and supported in part by Jeff & Margaret Reed, The Reed Companies and the Reed Foundation. Dates, program, and artists subject to change. E&OE.
If you are experiencing any issues viewing our videos, please visit our FAQ page here or download our FAQ PDF.
This Month in MSO History: Marian Anderson
Did you know...
That Marian Anderson, the celebrated African American contralto, was invited to Modesto by the Modesto Symphony to perform a recital on February 15, 1956? A “living legend” as described by journalist Pat Morrison of the Modesto Bee, Marian Anderson is famously known for her 1939 Lincoln Memorial concert, performed in front of a crowd of more than 75,000 people, after being denied Constitution Hall as a venue due to racial segregation.
Marian Anderson in New York Philharmonic Stadium Concerts program, August 26, 1925.
Program page from Anderson's August 26, 1925 concert.
Born in 1897 in Philadelphia, Anderson was quickly recognized for her talent as a singer. Her church choir raised money for her to study with Giuseppe Boghetti. In 1925, she won First Prize in a singing contest sponsored by the New York Philharmonic. This contest won her the opportunity to perform at Lewisohn Stadium with the orchestra, which was an immediate success with audience and critics. In 1928, she gave a recital in Carnegie Hall and in 1933 she made her debut in London, launching her tour throughout Europe. Anderson was most well received in Scandinavia, where she also befriended composer, Jean Sibelius who composed songs just for her. She returned to New York to great acclaim and performed another successful concert at Carnegie Hall.
In 1939, she received national attention when the Daughters of the American Revolution refused to let her perform at Constitution Hall in Washington D.C. She was invited to sing in Washington by Howard University however, the D.A.R-run Constitution Hall, was the only venue that could accommodate the large crowds that Anderson attracted. She was “filling the largest concert halls in the nation, sometimes five or six thousand people.” according to Dr. Ray Arsenault, author of The Sound of Freedom. Constitution Hall at the time was racially segregated and Black people were not allowed to attend shows nor perform in the hall.
First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt upon hearing this news was outraged and immediately resigned from the D.A.R. She wrote in her weekly column, “My Day,” “They have taken an action which has been widely criticized in the press... to remain as a member implies approval of that action, and therefore I am resigning.” Her reaction garnered a lot of attention and helped catalyze what would become an iconic concert held at the Lincoln Memorial.
Upon the suggestion of NAACP executive secretary, Walter White, it was arranged by Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickes for Anderson to sing at the Lincoln Memorial on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1939. She performed before an integrated crowd of more than 75,000 people and a radio audience in the millions.
Anderson became a symbol of the long battle of the Civil Rights Movement, decades before Martin Luther King Jr made his famous “I Have A Dream” speech in front of the same monument she performed in front of. However, this attention and fame on Anderson’s end was not intentional as she saw herself as first and foremost a classical singer.
By 1956, despite her legendary status, she remained humble and focused on her craft. She came to Modesto in February 1956 under the sponsorship of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra to perform in the Strand Theater (where Brenden Theaters now resides downtown). The audience was at full capacity and according to Morrison of the Modesto Bee, “Her direct and reverent style, deep in feeling and calm in confidence lends a spiritual tone to her voice. To hear Marian Anderson is more than a musical experience.”
And when asked by Morrison “if it is difficult to be a living legend,” Anderson graciously responded, “That is difficult to say. We have never been one.”
Learn more about Marian Anderson!
Our sources for this article are below:
Meet the MSO: A Brand New Series
Meet the MSO!
The Modesto Symphony is switching things up for February by introducing a brand-new YouTube series called “Meet the MSO!” This will be a series of short videos highlighting various members of our orchestra as they perform a solo at home just for you! This month, we’re kicking off this series with Katy Juneau, viola; Denis Harper, principal oboe; and Adam Wolf, horn. Stay tuned and make sure to follow us on YouTube & social media to receive notifications of when we post our videos!
Katy Juneau, viola
Katy Juneau is a long-time member of the MSO and is also the principal viola of the Fremont Symphony, Lamplighter’s Theater Orchestra, and West Edge Opera Festival. In addition to performing regularly with orchestras and chamber ensembles across Northern California, Katy has been in backup groups accompanying all sorts from Wynton Marsalis, Peidmont Community Church, KISS, Bonnie Raitt, Synchronicity Strings, Storm Large, and Josh Groban to playing in the World Classic Baseball Orchestra on the field at AT&T Park.
This month, she will be sharing two pieces honoring women composers, Ave generosa by Hildegard von Bingen and Deserted Garden by Florence Price where she will be accompanied by her son, Andrew Green on piano.
Adam Wolf, horn
Adam Wolf is one of the MSO’s newer members, having won his seat in 2019. He’s an accomplished horn player and composer and has performed with the LA Philharmonic, San Diego Symphony, Long Beach Symphony, as well as being the Principal Horn for the Redlands Symphony. Adam has also recorded and performed with many music artists and composers including Miley Cyrus, Will.I.Am, Pete Townsend, Billy Idol, John Debney, Arturo Sandoval, Mark Isham, Jeff Russo, Pinar Toprak, and many more.
This month, he will be performing Tango Etude No. 3 by Astor Piazzolla.
Denis Harper,
principal oboe
As our principal oboe, Denis Harper has been consistently praised for his performances a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player. In 2014, we featured Denis as a Soloist in the Boccherini & Bach concert where he performed Concerto for Oboe in E minor by Georg Philipp Telemann.
This month, he will be performing Telemann’s Fantasia No. 2 in A Minor.
This series is free to all and supported in part by Jeff & Margaret Reed, The Reed Companies and the Reed Foundation. Dates, program, and artists subject to change. E&OE.
If you are experiencing any issues viewing our videos, please visit our FAQ page here or download our FAQ PDF.
WATCH / Season's Greetings from the MSO!
Wishing you and your loved ones a safe and happy holiday season!
Enjoy a short holiday video greeting from all of your friends at the Modesto Symphony Orchestra.
❤️
LIVE / Holidays at Home with the MSO
Holidays at Home with the MSO
HOSTED BY RYAN MURRAY
Get in the holiday spirit with the MSO! We’ve created a festive virtual concert for you to enjoy at home that features the MSO Brass Quintet and members of the MSO Chorus! You’ll hear some of your favorite holiday music along with a special performance by the Central West Ballet!
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
Violin Solo
Passacaglia in G minor (“The Guardian Angel”) from Rosary Sonatas by Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber
performed by MSO Associate Concertmaster, Ilana Blumberg Thomas
Central West Ballet
The Nutcracker, op. 71, Pas de Deux & Coda by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Performed by Noelle Im & Mario Vitale Laborador
Featuring
We’d love to hear what you thought about this program. Your feedback will help us plan future events!
This virtual performance is free to all and supported in part by Morgan Stanley, Kelly McMurray, Senior Vice President. Dates, program, and artists subject to change. E&OE.
If you are experiencing any issues viewing our videos, please visit our FAQ page here or download our FAQ PDF.
45 Years of Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra
In 1976, a junior orchestra was formed by a dedicated core of string teachers in Stanislaus County to support school music programs, and to give student musicians a full orchestra experience. By 1980, the Stanislaus Youth Symphony (SYS) was formed, sponsored by the Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO).
By the late 80’s, SYS was renamed the Modesto Symphony Stanislaus Youth Orchestra (MSSYO) as a joint effort between the MSO and music teachers from the public schools. The MSSYO was organized under the leadership of Dr. James Klein as their music director and Senior Division conductor, with Will Aprile as their Junior Division conductor. The orchestra has evolved over the years and provides young musicians with an advanced level of musical literature in a challenging environment.
By the 1990s, the now named Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra (MSYO) started to gain national attention. In 1993, after passing a rigorous selection process and raising a large amount of funds, the Senior Orchestra was off on an experience of a lifetime--performing at New York City’s Carnegie Hall. Playing a program of music by Schuber, Copeland, and Beethoven, the orchestra was rewarded with a standing ovation. Although three orchestras were on the evening program, including one professional orchestra, only the MSYO received such a response. Since then, the MSYO has toured in Europe, Canada, Japan, as well as many performances throughout California. They also returned to Carnegie Hall in 2002 and 2014.
Andrew Norman, giving a talk before concert in 2015.
The MSYO recorded its first CD in 1997, which includes a performance of Metamorphosis, a composition by then MSYO principal violist, Andrew Norman. Norman, now a Grammy-nominated composer, has returned to his home symphony throughout his career. The MSO has also featured a few of Norman’s pieces in their programs including Gran Turismo for Violin Octet, performed in 2012, Poem for Orchestra in 1998, and Drip Blip Sparkle Spin Glint Glide Glow Float Flop Chop Pop Shatter Splash! performed in 2015. The LA Phil also won a grammy in 2019 for their recorded performance of his piece, Sustain. Sustain was also one of the 2019 Pulitzer Prize Finalists in Music.
In 2019, the MSO invited four MSYO alumni back as featured soloists: Matthew Ennis, saxophone, Jonathan Altman, violin, Madeline Olson, harp, and Andrew Grishaw, violin. These young performers studied at some of the nation’s best academic institutions including the San Francisco Conservatory, Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University, and The Juilliard School.
Now in it’s 45th Season, the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra continues to serve young musicians and their families from more than 40 public and private schools in the Central Valley. This season will open with a virtual Fall Concert on November 18th live on the MSO YouTube channel. The MSYO students and staff have been rehearsing digitally and are excited to share their music with friends and family all over the world.
LISTEN / MSO Spooktacular!
Monsters, Bugs, Ghouls, oh my! Here's a spine-tingling selection of past MSO Spooktacular programs for you to get into the Halloween spirit!
LIVE / MSO at Home: Julian Schwarz in Recital
MSO at Home: Julian Schwarz in Recital
Featuring
Julian Schwarz, cello
Marika Bournaki, piano
HOSTED BY RYAN MURRAY
The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) presents MSO at Home: Julian Schwarz in Recital, featuring Julian Schwarz, cello and Marika Bournaki, piano! Hosted live by Associate Conductor Ryan Murray on Wednesday, October 21 at 7:00 pm. The virtual performance features a variety of works for cello by Beethoven, Brahms, Korngold and more.
PROGRAM
Cello Sonata in D Major, Op. 102, No. 2
I. Allegro con brio
Ludwig van Beethoven
Suite for Violin & Piano after Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, Op. 11
III. Scene in the Garden, IV. Masquerade: Hornpipe
Erich Wolfgang Korngold, arr. J. Schwarz
Méditation Hébraïque
Ernest Bloch
Scherzo from FAE Sonata for Violin & Piano
Johannes Brahms, arr. J. Schwarz
Sonata for Cello & Piano in D Minor
II. Sérénade, III. Finale
Claude Debussy
4 African Dances, Op. 58
II. Andantino
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. arr. J. Schwarz
Featuring
We’d love to hear what you thought about this program. Your feedback will help us plan future events!
This virtual performance is free to all.
Dates, program, and artists subject to change. E&OE
If you are experiencing any issues viewing our videos, please visit our FAQ page here or download our FAQ PDF.
It's our turn to listen: take our survey!
This Month in MSO History: October
October 2 & 3, 2015:
Gershwin & Bernstein concert
Our 85th Season started off with audience favorites, Gershwin & Bernstein! The program included Gershwin’s Concerto for Piano in F Major featuring soloist Llewellyn Sanchez-Werner, Bernstein’s West Side Story: Symphonic Dances, and also a MSO Premiere of MSYO alum Andrew Norman’s Drip Blip Sparkle Spin Glint Glide Glow Float Flop Chop Pop Shatter Splash!
Since then, the LA Philharmonic commissioned Norman to compose Sustain for their 100th season. Norman received a 2020 Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Classical Composition for Sustain and the LA Philharmonic won the Grammy Award for Best Orchestral Performance for their performance. Sustain was also one of the 2019 Pulitzer Prize Finalists in Music.
October 5 & 6, 2007
Our first concert in the Gallo Center!
While the MSO’s rich history stretches back to 1931, our first Subscription concert in the Gallo Center for the Arts was in October 2007. This season opening concert featured Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and An American in Paris and was conducted by Erich Kunzel with Leon Bates on piano. The MSO previously had performed on stage with Patti LuPone back in September 2007 for the Gallo Center’s very first concert.
Before the Gallo Center was built, the MSO would perform in a variety of spaces including the Modesto High School Auditorium, the Strand Theater (where Brendon Theater on 10th Street currently sits), and Modesto Junior College. However, since its establishment in 2007, the MSO has been a proud resident company of the Gallo Center for the Arts and has been performing there ever since.
October 13 & 14, 2017
Nightmare Before Christmas
The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert in 2017 was wildly successful and attracted families from all over the state hoping to see something strange at the Gallo Center.
“Absolutely phenomenal performance! We saw the Nightmare Before Christmas. We will definitely see this next time they do this... Great job to all of you who made this possible for us to see!! BRAVO”
October 23, 1962
Frank Mancini announces retirement
On October 23, 1962, founder Frank “Proof” Mancini announced his retirement as Music Director of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra and conducted his final concert after 32 years at the helm.
According to Margaret Painter, a longtime Modesto resident and MSO subscriber since its inception in 1931, “Mancini’s final concert program featured the violinist Andre Toth and closed with Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 (“From the New World”). After the orchestra’s last note, musicians and audience joined in paying tribute to their beloved “Proof.” Applause continued so long that for the first time in the history of the orchestra, claims a musician, the director returned to the podium a second time to acknowledge the tribute.”
Frank Mancini’s handwritten final note in the concert program.
“Starting our 31th [sic] season, which may be my last as its conductor, I hope and pray that the M.S.O. will never cease to exist, on the century it will get better and better.”
October 24, 2004
Spooktacular!
The first Symphonic Spooktacular was held at the Modesto High auditorium on Oct. 24, 2004. Conducted by Music Director Darryl One, this interactive musical “who-dunnit” was a part of the MSO’s Family & Friends concert series, with concerts for the surrounding schools and the public alike! There were also many activities for all ages to enjoy including a costume contest, pumpkin painting, and more!
LIVE / MSO at Home: Spotlight on the MSYO
MSO at Home: Spotlight on the MSYO
FEATURING RYAN MURRAY & DON GRISHAW
HOSTED BY RYAN MURRAY
Tune in and catch performances by MSYO Music Director Ryan Murray on bassoon, conductor Don Grishaw will be joined by his son (an MSYO alum) for a viola duet, and a virtual string quartet performance by some of our MSYO students and alumni!
PROGRAM to Include:
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
Featuring
We’d love to hear what you thought about this program. Your feedback will help us plan future events!
This virtual performance is free to all and supported in part by H. Dieter and Hanna Renning.
Dates, program, and artists subject to change. E&OE
If you are experiencing any issues viewing our videos, please visit our FAQ page here or download our FAQ PDF.
MSO’s 90th Season Reimagined Through Virtual Programming
MSO’S 90TH SEASON REIMAGINED THROUGH VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING
This season marks the Modesto Symphony Orchestra’s 90th season. Back in March, we were preparing to announce a full slate of concerts including our 26th annual Picnic at the Pops, another thrilling live movie concert, and our five Music Director candidates that would help lead us into a new era. With the reality of not being able to have in-person concerts through March 2021, a new era is certainly upon us, though not the way we anticipated.
Our reimagined 2020-21 Season will include free virtual events once a month to stay connected with the community. In July we started our MSO at Home series with a live recital featuring MSO pianist John Hillebrandt as he performed from his living room. John impressed viewers as he performed pieces by Ravel, Chopin, and one of his own compositions. We then featured our Concertmaster Dan Flanagan in August. Dan showed off his versatility when he performed two newly composed pieces inspired by paintings from his extensive collection, he displayed his technical mastery with a Bach sonata, and topped it off with a variety of fiddle tunes! Recordings of both recitals are still available on our website if you missed the live performances or want to relive the fun. Future programs will feature other MSO musicians and guest artists in recital, as well as the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra. Our virtual events, as well as our education programs, are made possible by the generosity of our dedicated supporters.
Though, like most cultural organizations across the country, the MSO has not been immune to the financial repercussions due to the pandemic. In light of our concert cancellations, we had to make some cost-saving measures that include the furlough of musicians and the restructuring of staff and duties.
Through these trying changes, the MSO Board of Directors remain focused on long term viability while continuing to fulfill our mission of enriching lives through music and music education. We have rescheduled our Music Director finalists’ debuts for the 2021-22 season. Though we wish they could have conducted this year, they all remain excited about the opportunity to perform in Modesto and to meet the community.
The Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra (MSYO) will continue to meet and have virtual rehearsals and concerts. We have already received over 60 audition videos for the upcoming 2020-21 MSYO Season. Additionally, we are continuing to work with local schools and offer support for music education including engaging MSO musicians to perform and work with students. However, the Modesto Symphony Orchestra Chorus and Youth Chorus are suspended until it is safe to meet and sing together in-person.
The MSO believes in the power of music to bring people together and to create a sense of community and these are two things we need more than ever. Stay tuned–further announcements about our new virtual offerings are coming soon. This year will be our most innovative season yet and we can’t wait to experience it with you.
Congratulations MSO Associate Conductor Ryan Murray, American Prize Finalist!
Our MSO Associate Conductor Ryan Murray recently has been awarded Second Place in the 2019-20 American Prize in Conducting (Professional Orchestra Division)! Murray was awarded for his amazing performance conducting our Sibelius & Tchaikovsky concerts on April 12 & 13, 2019.
On behalf of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra, congrats to Ryan!
The American Prize is a series of non-profit national competitions in the performing arts for the best recorded performances by ensembles and individuals each year in the United States. To learn more visit www.theamericanprize.org.
Ryan Murray conducting Sibelius Concerto in D Minor, featuring violinist Angelo Xiang Yu
