arts&culture
LET THE MUSIC RING MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OPENS 2021-22 SEASON By SABRA STAFFORD
PHOTO BY COTTONBRO/ Pexels
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he Modesto Symphony Orchestra will launch their 91st season in December with a fan-favorite holiday show and will be followed in the coming months by concerts highlighting the talents of the organization’s four candidates for music director and a pop series that will conclude with “Star Wars: A New Hope” concert. “We are thrilled to present our new season and to see everyone again in-person,” said Caroline Nickel, President and CEO of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra Association. “We have always been so grateful for the support of our community, but this past year really showed the importance of staying connected as a community. We were grateful to be able to stay connected through our virtual concerts last season and we are so excited to be able to safely bring the orchestra back to the stage to perform for our audiences in-person again.” The 2021-22 season gets underway with the Holiday Pops concert at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 3 and 2 p.m. Dec. 4. The show, which will be led by Associate Conductor Ryan Murray, is an opportunity to bask in some
holiday spirit as the Modesto Symphony Orchestra and Chorus perform some holiday classics. The Holiday Candlelight Concert at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church will be held at 8 p.m. Dec. 21. MSO Chorus Director Dr. Daniel R. Afonso Jr. once again leads the Modesto Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, plus the Opus Handbell Ensemble performing traditional Christmas hymns and carols in a special concert that has become a treasured community tradition. The Modesto Symphony Orchestra is currently looking to hire the organization’s next musical director. After an overwhelming response that saw 200 applicants, the organization has narrowed it down to four finalists: Delta David Gier, Paul Haas, Keitaro Harada, and Dirk Meyer. The candidates will each conduct one of the Classics concerts, where they will showcase their skill, personality, and musical taste. Opening the Classics Series at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 7 and 8, is a program lead by Music Director Candidate Delta David Gier and features cellist Francisco Vila-Haas performing Márquez’s Espejos en la Arena and the
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The Modesto Symphony Orchestra is currently looking to hire the organization’s next musical director. After an overwhelming response that saw 200 applicants, the organization has narrowed it down to four finalists...
D E C E M B E R/J A N UA RY 2022
11/28/2021 9:19:14 AM