MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Contact:
Caroline Nickel
(209) 523-4156
cnickel@modestosymphony.org

For Immediate Release: April 15, 2024

(From left to right, Top Row: Nicholas Hersh, music director; MSO Chorus; Bottom Row: Georgiana Adams, soprano; Kindra Scharich, mezzo-soprano; Alex Boyer, tenor; Matt Boehler, bass; Samuel Kraus, violin)

MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS PERFORMS BEETHOVEN’S SYMPHONY NO. 9

May 10 & 11, 2024 - Modesto Symphony Orchestra performs the works of Beethoven, Beach, and Pärt at Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 concerts.

May 11, 2024 – Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra performs Season Finale Concert featuring Concerto Competition Winner, Samuel Kraus.

MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) presents Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 on May 10 & 11, 2024 led by Music Director Nicholas Hersh. The weekend’s program includes living composer, Arvo Pärt’s Fratres, Amy Beach’s Peace I Leave With You, and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D minor. The concerts will feature the MSO Chorus, directed by Daniel R. Afonso Jr., and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 will also feature guest soloists: soprano Georgiana Adams, mezzo-soprano Kindra Scharich, tenor Alex Boyer, and bass Matt Boehler.

“Beethoven's Ninth Symphony has taken on a kind of mystique of an almost supernatural masterpiece,” says Music Director Nicholas Hersh. “But its reality is anything but: it's one of Beethoven's most personal and emotional works. Beethoven's Ninth is a mountain to climb for any musician, but it's at the summit that the forces of the orchestra, chorus, and vocal soloists join together, reveling in the joy of unity with the composer's most enduring melody: the Ode to Joy. I can't wait for the MSO to take on this journey with my wonderful colleague Daniel Afonso leading the Modesto Symphony Chorus as well as the amazing guest soloists joining us from all over California!”

This concert is made possible by a generous legacy gift from Alicia Aywas and is dedicated to her memory. “As a longtime subscriber and donor, Alicia Aywas brought joy to those around her and loved classical music,” says Caroline Nickel, President & CEO. “The MSO is honored to have known Alicia Aywas and to dedicate these performances of Beethoven’s ‘Ode to Joy’ to her.”

The weekend also includes the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra (MSYO) in their Season Finale Concert on May 11th, 2024. The MSYO comprises two orchestras with students from grades 5 through 12 and is led by a deeply engaged leadership team. Their Season Finale Concert will feature works by Grieg, Pascual Marquina Narro, music from the 2017 Disney movie, Coco, and excerpts from Bizet's Carmen Suite. This concert will also feature the MSYO's annual Concerto Competition winner, Samuel Kraus, performing the first movement of the Mozart Violin Concerto No. 5 in A Major, K. 219. Learn more about the MSYO at ModestoSymphony.org/about-msyo.

MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9

Friday, May 10, 2024, at 7:30 pm
Saturday, May 11, 2024, at 7:30 pm

Nicholas Hersh, conductor
MSO Chorus, Daniel R. Afonso Jr.,
chorus director
Georgiana Adams, soprano
Kindra Scharich, mezzo-soprano
Alex Boyer, tenor
Matt Boehler, bass

PROGRAM

Arvo Pärt: Fratres

Amy Beach: Peace I Leave With You

Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125

This concert is dedicated in memory of Alicia Aywas.

Gallo Center for the Arts, Mary Stuart Rogers Theater
1000 I Street, Modesto

TICKETS:

Pricing: $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.

Modesto symphony youth orchestra, season finale concert

Saturday, May 11, 2024, at 2:00 pm

Donald Grishaw, MSYO Concert Orchestra Conductor
Elisha Wells, MSYO Symphony Orchestra Conductor
Samuel Kraus, violin & MSYO Concerto Competition Winner

PROGRAM

Featuring the works of Grieg, Pascual Marquina Narro, music from the 2017 Disney movie, Coco, and excerpts from Bizet's Carmen Suite. The concert also features MSYO Concerto Competition Winner, Samuel Kraus performing the first movement of Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5 in A major, K. 219.

Gallo Center for the Arts, Mary Stuart Rogers Theater
1000 I Street, Modesto

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