MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact:
Caroline Nickel
cnickel@modestosymphony.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / May 4, 2023
Click to download high-resolution photos. (Pictured from left to right: top row: Alessio Bax, Tai Murray, Ashley Brown, MSO Chorus; bottom row: Picnic at the Pops, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert)
Modesto Symphony Orchestra 2023-24 Season Announcement
The MSO’s 93rd season features outstanding guest artists and the MSO Chorus.
The Classics Series will feature pieces by Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn, Beethoven, and more.
The Pops Series will be conducted by Principal Pops Conductor Ryan Murray and includes Holiday Pops!, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert, and Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert!
The 27th annual Picnic at the Pops! Featuring the music of Aretha Franklin!
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) presents their 93rd season. The MSO’s season will kick off with Picnic at the Pops! This year’s Picnic will feature the music of Aretha Franklin with guest vocalists Capathia Jenkins and Darryl Jovan Williams. The MSO’s first concert at the Gallo Center for the Arts will be in October when they open their Classics Series with Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 featuring pianist Alessio Bax.
This year the MSO will return to their typical five-concert offering for their Classics Series, 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 Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert. The Pops Series will be conducted by Principal Pops Conductor, Ryan Murray.
“We are thrilled to present our 93rd Season! This upcoming season we will expand our offerings as we return to our 5-concert Classics Series and every Pops Series concert will have two performances again! Next season has a wide variety of music starting off with Picnic at the Pops and the music of Aretha Franklin, Beethoven’s monumental Symphony No. 9 with our Chorus, and we’ll be performing two different movie concerts as well,” said Caroline Nickel, President and CEO of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra Association. “We’re extremely optimistic for the future of the MSO! Our next Music Director will be appointed soon and will fill out our 2023-24 Classics Series programming this summer.”
MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 2023-24 Season overview
Classics Series:
5 concerts performed on both Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM in the Mary Stuart Rogers Theater at Gallo Center for the Arts.
The full programming for the Classics Series will be completed by the MSO’s new Music Director this summer.
Opening the Classics Series on October 13 & 14, 2023 features pianist Alessio Bax on Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1. Once deemed “impossible to play,” Tchaikovsky’s ambitious masterpiece is now one of the most popular piano concertos in the world. This passionate and thrilling piece flourishes under internationally celebrated pianist, Alessio Bax’s fingertips.
The MSO will perform Gershwin’s An American in Paris on February 9 & 10, 2024. An American in Paris is a vivid musical postcard with sweeping, romantic melodies punctuated by blues and jazz-inspired rhythms. Be transported to the City of Love with this Gershwin classic that inspired the movie-musical of the same name, starring Gene Kelly, that went on to win six Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Musical Score.
On March 15 & 16, 2024 the MSO will bring a new concert experience to Modesto with Symphonic Soundtrack. The evening will feature a special program curated by your Modesto Symphony Orchestra musicians and conclude with an afterparty for the entire audience to enjoy and meet the orchestra!
The MSO will be joined by violinist Tai Murray on April 12 & 13, 2024 for Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto. Described as “superb” by the New York Times, violinist Tai Murray proves her technical prowess and effortless grace with Mendelssohn’s wonderfully uplifting and energetic Violin Concerto in E minor. Mendelssohn’s masterpiece remains among the world’s most prominent and highly regarded violin concertos in history.
The MSO will conclude its Classics Series on May 10 & 11, 2024 with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. Ludwig van Beethoven’s final symphony weaves together themes of brother and sisterhood into a powerful and sweeping chorus widely considered the most recognizable musical work ever written. Featuring the MSO Chorus and four spectacular vocalists, this concert captures Beethoven’s vision of hope with power and authenticity. Whether you’re a serious classical music lover, or new to the symphony, this is one piece you won’t want to miss!
Pops Series:
3 concerts with performances on Fridays at 7:30pm and Saturdays at 2pm in the Mary Stuart Rogers Theater at the Gallo Center for the Arts. Conducted by Principal Pops Conductor Ryan Murray.
The MSO will open their Pops Series with Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert Live to Film! Last performed in 2017, this concert sold out and was a record-breaking success for the Modesto Symphony! Join the MSO on November 3, 2023 at 7:30 pm and November 4, 2023 at 2:00 pm as they celebrate the 30th anniversary of this fan-favorite film.
December will bring a celebration of the Holiday Season with the ever-popular Holiday Pops! concert lead by conductor Ryan Murray. The MSO will bring back Broadway’s Ashley Brown to kick off the holiday season with the MSO and MSO Chorus on December 1, 2023 at 7:30 pm and December 2, 2023 at 2:00 pm.
The Pops Series will close with Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert led by conductor Ryan Murray! Fans will be able to experience the full movie with the MSO performing the full score live to film on May 31, 2024 at 7:30 pm & June 1, 2024 at 2:00 pm.
Special COMMUNITY ConcertS:
Picnic at the Pops on September 9, 2023 and the Holiday Candlelight Concert in December.
The Modesto Symphony Orchestra will present their 27th Annual Picnic at the Pops on September 9, 2023 with Aretha: A Tribute! Grounds open at 5:00 pm and the concert begins at 7:30 pm at the E. & J. Gallo Winery.
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. This year’s concert will be in a new venue as St. Stanislaus Catholic Church undergoes renovations. Details will be announced soon.
Tickets
Subscription packages and single tickets for the MSO’s 2023-24 Season will be available June 5th, 2023, online, by phone, and at the Gallo Center Ticket Office. Visit ModestoSymphony.org for full details.
Renewing MSO Subscribers can renew today by calling the Modesto Symphony Orchestra office at 209-523-4156 or the Gallo Center Ticket Office at 209-338-2100.
Gallo Center Ticket Office
Hours: Monday through Friday 10:00am to 6:00pm and Saturdays 12:00pm – 6:00pm.
Phone: 209.338.2100
Full 2023-2024 Season Listing
CLASSICS SERIES
Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1
October 13 & 14, 2023 at 7:30pm
Conductor to be announced
Alessio Bax, piano
Gershwin’s An American in Paris
February 9 & 10, 2024 at 7:30pm
Conductor to be announced
Symphonic Soundtrack
March 15 & 16, 2024 at 7:30pm
Conductor to be announced
Symphonic Soundtrack is a brand-new concert experience which will feature a special program curated by your MSO musicians and conclude with an afterparty that everyone can enjoy!
Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto
April 12 & 13, 2024 at 7:30pm
Conductor to be announced
Tai Murray, violin
Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9
May 10 & 11, 2024 at 7:30pm
Conductor to be announced
Featuring the MSO Chorus
Daniel R. Afonso Jr., chorus director
*EXCITING NEWS THIS SUMMER 2023!
The MSO’s next Music Director will be selected soon, and they will finalize our Classics Series concerts this summer. Stay tuned for more information!
POPS SERIES
Ryan Murray, Principal Pops Conductor
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert Live to Film
November 2, 2023 at 7:30pm
November 3, 2023 at 2:00pm
Ryan Murray, conductor
Presentation licensed by Disney Concerts. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. © DISNEY
Holiday Pops!
December 1, 2023 at 7:30pm
December 2, 2023 at 2:00pm
Ryan Murray, conductor
Ashley Brown, vocalist
MSO Chorus, Daniel R. Afonso Jr., director
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert
Live Orchestra with Full Length Film
May 31, 2024 at 7:30pm
June 1, 2024 at 2:00pm
Ryan Murray, conductor
© 1983 & 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
Picnic at the Pops! Aretha: A Tribute
with the Modesto Symphony
September 9, 2023
E. & J. Gallo Winery Grounds
Grounds open at 5:00pm
Concert starts at 7:30pm
Ryan Murray, conductor
Capathia Jenkins, guest vocalist
Darryl Jovan Williams, guest vocalist
Holiday Candlelight Concert
December 2023
Daniel R. Afonso Jr., conductor
MSO Chorus, Daniel R. Afonso Jr., director
St. Stanislaus Catholic Church is undergoing major renovations and this year’s Holiday Candlelight Concert will take place in a different venue. We look forward to returning to St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in 2024, but we guarantee this year’s concert will be just as festive and warm as ever. Details will be announced soon.
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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.
