Press Release: Celebrate the Holidays with the Modesto Symphony Orchestra

MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Contact:
Caroline Nickel
cnickel@modestosymphony.org 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / November 1, 2023

(Pictured from left to right; top row: Ryan Murray, Principal Pops Conductor; Daniel R. Afonso Jr., MSO Chorus Director; Ashley Brown, guest vocalist; bottom row: Holiday Pops! at the Gallo Center for the Arts; Holiday Candlelight Concert)


Celebrate the Holidays with the Modesto Symphony Orchestra

Holiday Pops! with Ashley Brown – December 1 & 2, 2023

Holiday Candlelight Concert – December 19, 2023

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 first of the MSO’s two holiday concerts is Holiday Pops! on Friday, December 1, 2023 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, December 2, 2023 at the Gallo Center for the Arts. Conducted by Principal Pops Conductor Ryan Murray, this lively and festive concert features Broadway star Ashley Brown and the MSO Chorus. The Holiday Candlelight Concert will be held on December 19, 2023 at 8 pm in a new location, Our Lady of Fatima Church at 505 W. Granger Ave. in Modesto. MSO Chorus Director, Daniel R. Afonso Jr., will conduct this traditional holiday concert and Our Lady of Fatima Church is the perfect setting for a more intimate concert that will also feature the MSO Chorus and the Opus Handbell Ensemble.

“I’m so looking forward to Holiday Pops this year! It’s always such a wonderful celebration of the holiday season and a great chance for us all to come together as a community!” says Ryan Murray, Principal Pops Conductor for the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. “I’m thrilled that Ashley Brown will be returning this year as our guest soloist. We had such great fun last time Ashley was here and she is truly an incredible performer. She has some fantastic music in store for all of you! I can’t wait to share all this terrific holiday music with you and can’t wait to be on stage with our incredible Modesto Symphony, Modesto Symphony Chorus, and Ashley Brown!”

Holiday Pops headliner, Ashley Brown, returns to Modesto after last performing with the MSO in 2017. Ashley is best known for originating the role of the titular character in the Broadway production of Mary Poppins, for which she received Outer Critics Circle, Drama League, and Drama Desk award nominations. She has performed with many top orchestras in North America, including the Boston Bops, the New York Philharmonic, and The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra at Disney Hall.

“The holiday season is always a special time for the MSO,” says Caroline Nickel, President and CEO of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. “We hope that both our Holiday Pops! and Holiday Candlelight Concert can bring a little extra warmth and joy to our community. It’s a special feeling being able to take the time to slow down and spend time with friends and family during the holiday season and each year we look forward to extending that feeling to our audiences.”


MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Holiday Pops!

Friday, December 1, 2023 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 2 pm

Ryan Murray, conductor
Ashley Brown, 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: $20 / 36 / 52 / 72 / 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

Concert Sponsored by: Beard LAnd & Investment Co.


MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Holiday Candlelight Concert

Tuesday, December 20, 2022 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

Our Lady of Fatima Church
505 W. Granger Avenue, Modesto

TICKETS:

Pricing:
Adult: $39 / 59
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 Bios


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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.