As the year winds down and the festive season approaches, the Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is poised to enchant audiences with a series of diverse concerts. From the joyous 'Holiday Pops!' to the nostalgic notes of 'Disney’s Fantasia in Concert,' the MSO invites you to embark on a musical journey. Each performance promises a unique blend of artistry and celebration, designed to captivate and inspire audiences of all ages. Join us in experiencing the symphonic brilliance and cultural richness that the Modesto Symphony Orchestra brings to life.

Celebrating the Symphony: A Year of Musical Magic with the Modesto Symphony Orchestra

Join the Modesto Symphony Orchestra for an unforgettable season of concerts at the Gallo Center for the Arts. From the enchanting blend of music and animation in Disney's Fantasia to the soulful tribute to Aretha Franklin, and the exhilarating journey with Indiana Jones, each performance promises a unique experience. Delight in the playful notes of Carnival of the Animals, the emotional depth of Verdi's Requiem, and more, all masterfully conducted by Ryan Murray and Nicholas Hersh. Discover the magic of live music like never before!

Experience the Magic of Modesto Symphony Orchestra: A Season of Spectacular Concerts

The Modesto Symphony Orchestra is set to embark on an exciting musical voyage, promising a diverse array of performances that engage audiences of all ages. From the nostalgic animation of Disney's Fantasia to the soulful tribute to Aretha Franklin, the orchestra will deliver a series of unforgettable experiences. As the season progresses, attendees can look forward to the whimsical 'Carnival of the Animals,' the powerful 'Verdi’s Requiem,' and an exhilarating 'Indiana Jones' adventure. Each concert promises to be a feast for the senses, blending visual splendor with musical brilliance.

A Symphony of Stories: Modesto's Vibrant Musical Journey

Get ready for an unforgettable musical journey with the Modesto Symphony Orchestra as they celebrate the timeless sounds of Aretha Franklin, explore the playful notes of Saint-Saëns' 'Carnival of the Animals', experience the profound emotions of Verdi's 'Requiem', and relive the thrilling adventures of Indiana Jones. With performances from Broadway's Capathia Jenkins and the young talents of Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra, these events promise a rich tapestry of genres, emotions, and storytelling set to music. Join us at the Gallo Center for the Arts for a symphonic season like no other.

A Symphony of Stars: Celebrating Music and Cinema with Modesto Symphony Orchestra

This spring, Modesto Symphony Orchestra presents an unforgettable lineup of concerts that blend classical finesse with cinematic flair. From the lively 'Carnival of the Animals' by Camille Saint-Saëns to the emotive depths of Verdi's 'Requiem,' and the thrilling live accompaniment to 'Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark,' these events promise a vibrant exploration of music's power to convey stories and emotions. Join us at the Gallo Center for the Arts for an enriching musical journey that celebrates the artistry and diversity of symphonic music.

A Symphony of Stories: Unveiling Modesto Symphony Orchestra’s Captivating 2025 Lineup

Join the Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) on an exhilarating journey through a diverse array of musical themes and culturally rich performances. From the evocative sounds of the four seasons to rock concert extravaganzas and enchanting holiday melodies, MSO’s upcoming seasons promise to captivate audiences with an eclectic mix of genres. Featuring world-renowned artists like Branford Marsalis, Anne Akiko Meyers, and Amaryn Olmeda, MSO's concerts are set to deliver unforgettable experiences that transcend time, culture, and history.

A Symphony of Seasons: Modesto Symphony Orchestra's Diverse Musical Journey

As the Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) kicks off another thrilling season, music enthusiasts are in for a treat. From the evocative saxophone melodies of Branford Marsalis to the cinematic allure of Pixar scores, each concert promises a unique experience. The season also includes diverse cultural explorations, with performances inspired by Mexican traditions and a heartfelt homage to the iconic rock band Queen. Whether you're a fan of classical compositions or lively choral harmonies, MSO's lineup has something for everyone.

A Harmonious Journey: Modesto Symphony Orchestra's Season Highlights

Originally released in 1981 as a collaboration between George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, Indiana Jones is the classic hero for this adventure set in the 1930s, as the quick-witted and hardy archaeologist goes on the hunt for the Lost Ark of the Covenant. Often facing insurmountable odds, Indy always manages to succeed in the nick of time, joined by endearing companions and opposed by notorious villains. Embark on a grand adventure in Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark on the big screen while your Modesto Symphony Orchestra performs John Williams’ epic score live!

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Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark™ Live in Concert

Gallo Center for the Arts

MSYO Season Finale Concert

Our Classics Series concludes with Verdi’s monumental Requiem. This choral masterpiece was written as an expression of Verdi’s grief. Throughout, you will be surrounded by every emotion from loss, anger, and fear to eventual hope and peace through the soaring melodies, thunderous percussion, and power of the MSO, MSO Chorus and soloists.

Verdi’s Requiem

April’s concert is filled with inspiring and youthful energy featuring Camille Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals! This piece depicts various animals in their natural habitats through the different colors and timbres of the orchestra. Following that, we’ll dive deeper into the sounds of the orchestra with a piece by Modesto’s own and two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist composer Andrew Norman. The program will end with Copland’s Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo with the young musicians of the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra playing side-by-side on Hoedown.

Carnival of the Animals

This high-energy, glittering tribute to the Queen of Soul features your Modesto Symphony Orchestra with Broadway star Capathia Jenkins! The evening will feature Aretha Franklin’s iconic hits like “Respect,” “Think,” “You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman,” “Chain of Fools,” “Amazing Grace,” and many more.

Aretha: A Tribute

February 8 / MSYO Spring Concert

Join us for a thrilling performance of Disney's groundbreaking marriage of symphonic music and animation, Fantasia. Magnificent repertoire from the original 1940 version and Fantasia 2000, including The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Beethoven's Fifth Symphony and The Nutcracker Suite, will be performed by the Modesto Symphony Orchestra while Disney's stunning footage is shown on the big screen. Experience iconic moments and childhood favorites as you never have before!

February 7 & 8 / Fantasia in Concert

Disney’s Fantasia in Concert

The Modesto Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Candlelight Concert is the perfect way to slow down and enjoy the holiday season. Our Modesto Symphony Orchestra is joined Modesto Symphony Orchestra Chorus to perform your favorite traditional hymns to help you and your loved ones feel the warmth and beauty of the holiday season. This unique concert typically is performed every third Tuesday of December in a beautiful church venue, decorated with candlelight and holiday cheer.

Holiday Candlelight Concert

St. Stanislaus Catholic Church

Start the holidays on the right note! Join the MSO and MSO Chorus as they perform all of your holiday favorites!

Holiday Pops!

To start our Classics Series, Music Director Nicholas Hersh and the MSO will guide us through the four seasons. The evening will start with Mendelssohn’s romantic Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Ortiz’s La Calaca which features driving rhythms and stirring melodies inspired by the traditions of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) that celebrate the afterlife in Mexican culture. Finally, we’ll dive deeper into each season with a “mixtape” from Hersh featuring one movement each from Vivaldi, Richter, Ysaÿe, and Piazzolla to create an exploration not only of the seasons, but of each of their cultures.

The Four Seasons Mixtape

The MSO kicks off their 94th season with acclaimed saxophonist Branford Marsalis! Marsalis will be featured on Milhaud’s Scaramouche and John William’s Escapades, a full symphonic work derived from the score of Steven Spielberg’s Catch Me If You Can. This one-night-only concert is one you won’t want to miss!

Branford Marsalis with the Modesto Symphony Orchestra

In the climactic sixth episode of the Star Wars saga, Darth Vader readies the second Death Star to unleash the final blow to the Rebel Alliance. Luke Skywalker joins R2-D2, C-3PO and Princess Leia to free Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt and launch a desperate attack upon the entire Imperial Fleet. Watch the complete film unfold as your Modesto Symphony Orchestra performs John Williams’ legendary score live along with the full feature film.

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert!

Modesto Symphony Orchestra - Star Wars: The Return Of The Jedi In Concert

The MSO will close out its Classics Series with Ludwig van Beethoven’s epic Symphony No. 9. This symphony has reached beyond concert halls across the globe and become part of popular culture, most notably with the “Ode to Joy” theme in the final movement. Featuring the MSO Chorus and four spectacular vocal soloists, this concert captures Beethoven’s vision of hope with power, and authenticity. 

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9

The MSO will close out its Classics Series with Ludwig van Beethoven’s epic Symphony No. 9. This symphony has reached beyond concert halls across the globe and become part of popular culture, most notably with the “Ode to Joy” theme in the final movement. Featuring the MSO Chorus and four spectacular vocal soloists, this concert captures Beethoven’s vision of hope with power, and authenticity.

Modesto Symphony Orchestra - Beethoven's Symphony No. 9

Hersh has put together a wonderfully exciting and energetic program for our April Classics concert. This program opens with Louise Farrenc’s lyrical and spirited Symphony No. 3. Then we will explore J. S. Bach’s “Little Fugue” in G minor with an arrangement by Music Director Hersh himself. We’ll close out the evening with Mendelssohn’s uplifting and energetic Violin Concerto in E minor featuring Tai Murray. This concerto remains among the world’s most prominent and highly regarded violin concertos in history.

Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto

Modesto Symphony Orchestra - Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto

MSYO Spring Concert

In February, Hersh and the MSO will explore the sounds of the 1920’s and 30’s in the U.S. and France. We’ll open the program with William Dawson’s Negro Folk Symphony which debuted to critical acclaim at Carnegie Hall in 1934 with Leopold Stokowski leading the Philadelphia Orchestra. Hersh then takes us to France to discover what an actual American in Paris would have heard in the 1920s with Lili Boulanger’s colorful and energetic D’un Matin de Printemps (Of a Spring Morning). The evening will end with An American in Paris.

Gershwin’s An American in Paris

The Modesto Symphony’s Holiday Candlelight Concert is back and is the perfect way to slow down and enjoy the holiday season in a new location, the beautiful Our Lady of Fatima Church. Hear your favorite traditional Christmas hymns and carols performed by the MSO, MSO Chorus, and the Opus Handbell Ensemble.

Our Lady Of Fatima School

Get in the holiday spirit with the Modesto Symphony and the MSO Chorus! This year, we’ve invited Broadway’s Ashley Brown (Mary Poppins) to help make this season’s Holiday Pops! practically perfect in every way.

MSYO Season Opening Concert

Enjoy Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas In Concert as Disney’s enduring animated classic film plays on the big screen accompanied by Danny Elfman’s enigmatic score performed live to the film by your Modesto Symphony Orchestra. Follow Jack Skellington, Halloween Town’s resident Pumpkin King, through his adventure to Christmas Town as he aims to shake up the holidays. “A stunningly original, visual delightful work,” this is one live performance you’ll have to see (and hear) to believe.

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert

Join us in welcoming our new Music Director, Nicholas Hersh! In his debut concert, Hersh will open the evening with Mozart’s bustling and energetic Overture to The Marriage of Figaro. He will then be joined by pianist Alessio Bax for Tchaikovsky’s virtuosic Piano Concerto No. 1. The evening will conclude with Copland’s Symphony No. 3. This symphony brings out the lyrical sounds of Americana that Copland is so known for and will flow into the finale which opens with the theme from his own triumphant Fanfare for the Common Man. This concert will be a celebration of music and the start of a new era for the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. 

Tchaikovsky & Copland

The battle for the galaxy intensifies in this thrilling fifth episode of the unfolding saga! The Modesto Symphony Orchestra presents John Williams’s iconic Oscar®-nominated score from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back performed live along with the full-feature film.

Star Wars : The Empire Strikes Back in Concert

Conductor Anthony Parnther will lead the MSO in the Classics Series finale. The program will open with Mozart’s Requiem which has been a fixture in the choral-orchestra repertoire for over two centuries. And the Classics Series will end similarly to how it began, with Florence Price’s Symphony No. 3. This symphony is filled with influences of blues, jazz, ragtime, and the third movement is a Juba, a dance style created by central Africans enslaved on plantations in the American South. Price celebrated her heritage beautifully in this masterpiece.

Mozart Requiem

Join the MSO for a one-night-only performance of the greatest popular music of the early 20th Century, including songs of Frank Sinatra and Cole Porter. Ryan Silverman (Chicago), who last performed with the MSO in 2019, swings back into town to croon your favorite big band and jazz standards!

The Great American Songbook

Experience the Symphony in a brand-new way! The Modesto Symphony Orchestra musicians are curating a concert just for you that will feature music they love and want to share with the community. This will be a fun, exciting, new format with no intermission and an afterparty where you to meet the orchestra!

Symphonic Soundtrack

Conductor Andrew Grams and the MSO will take you on an emotional journey that evokes love with Brouwer’s Remembrances to optimism, melancholy, and unbridled joy in Brahms’ Symphony No. 2. The program will also feature violinist Simone Porter on Barber’s lyrical and wildly virtuosic Violin Concerto.

Barber & Brahms

The Modesto Symphony’s Holiday Candlelight Concert is back and is the perfect way to slow down and enjoy the holiday season at the beautiful St. Stanislaus Catholic Church. Join us to hear the MSO and MSO Chorus perform your favorite traditional Christmas music, as well as performances by the Opus Handbell Ensemble.

Start the holidays on the right note! This season, acclaimed Broadway actress, Nikki Renée Daniels, fresh from her run as Jenny in the 2021 Broadway Revival of Sondheim's Company, joins the MSO and the MSO Chorus to perform all of your holiday favorites.

Conductor Nicholas Hersh will lead the MSO for the Rachmaninoff & Sibelius concerts. This program gives us the opportunity to hear Hersh’s arrangement of the second movement of Schubert’s famous string quartet, Death and the Maiden. Then pianist George Li will be featured on Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini and the program will finish with Sibelius’ Symphony No. 5. This breathtaking beauty captures 16 soaring swans when the strings mimic the fluttering of wings and a glorious, arching theme played by the French horns.

Rachmaninoff & Sibelius

Conductor Christopher Dragon will kick off the MSO’s Classics Series with a program celebrating the American Sound. The concert will open with Florence Price’s Concert Overture No. 2, then pianist Gabriela Martinez returns to Modesto with Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. The MSO will end the program with Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, “From the New World”, which draws inspiration from American stories and songs, especially the spiritual style of Black Americans.

Rhapsody in Blue

Saturday night’s alright for Picnic! Join the MSO and Michael Cavanaugh for the return of community favorite: Picnic at the Pops! This year’s Picnic will have you dancing all night long to your favorite Elton John hits like I’m Still Standing and Pinball Wizard, as well as your favorite rock ballads from the 70s and 80s. Pack a picnic and bring your friends as we celebrate our 26th picnic on the beautiful grounds of the E. & J. Gallo Winery!

Picnic at the Pops! The Music of Elton John

E. & J. Gallo Winery

Since the release of the first Star Wars movie over 40 years ago, the Star Wars saga has had a seismic impact on both cinema and culture, inspiring audiences around the world with its mythic storytelling, captivating characters, groundbreaking special effects, and iconic musical scores composed by John Williams. Fans will be able to experience the scope and grandeur of this beloved film in a live symphonic concert experience when the MSO performs Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert! 

Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert

Conductor Paul Haas breaks new ground with Dinuk Wijeratne’s Concerto for Tabla, a piece that highlights the “king” of Indian percussion instruments—known for the richness of its timbre and rhythmically complex repertoire unique to the instrument itself. This concerto will be performed by Guggenheim Fellow, Silk Road Ensemble member and Grammy-winner, Sandeep Das! This driving concerto leads to the emotional finale of Tchaikovsky’s fate-filled Fourth Symphony.

Paul Haas Conducts Wijeratne & Tchaikovsky 

Dirk Meyer conducts a program that celebrates music and the sheer joy it provides. Golijov’s Sidereus is a beautiful, ethereal work that serves as the calm before the storm that is Prokofiev’s energetic Piano Concerto No. 3 masterfully performed by pianist, Marika Bournaki. The night concludes with Brahms’ dramatic and bold First Symphony.

Dirk Meyer conducts Prokofiev & Brahms

Conductor Delta David Gier rings in the new year and kicks off our Music Director Search with the lively and colorful Espejos en la Arena by Mexican composer, Arturo Márquez featuring the exceptional Francisco Vila-Haas on cello. The program concludes with Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, a mysterious and triumphant masterpiece that explores the composer’s own life experiences.

Márquez & Shostakovich

https://www.modestosymphony.org/season-calendar/dec2021-p1

A Community Tradition Returns Holiday Pops Performances

Guest conductor Akiko Fujimoto makes her debut with the Modesto Symphony this March, performing Walker's emotional Lyric for Strings and concluding with with Dvorak's lively Symphony No. 8. These two pieces bookend Korngold’s cinematic Violin Concerto in D Major performed by violinist Charles Yang, who returns to the MSO after last performing here in 2017 with the famed trio, Time for Three.

Korngold & Yoshimatsu

Somebody to Love, Under Pressure, Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen produced some of the most iconic rock anthems of all time. Join the Modesto Symphony for a concert under the stars as they salute Freddie Mercury and all of Queen’s greatest hits!

Picnic at the Pops!

GALLO grounds

The Modesto Symphony Orchestra is kicking off their 95th Season by rolling out the red carpet! Celebrate the cinematic sounds of Hollywood with John Williams’ Cello Concerto, a bold and expressive work that will feature Turlock native, Timothy Loo. The evening will conclude with Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2 taking you on a rapturous journey through lyrical swells of color and harmony.

Williams & Rachmaninoff

Experience the power of music to transcend time, culture, and history. This November, the Modesto Symphony Orchestra presents a beautifully introspective evening that unites diverse voices through sound—Margaret Bonds’ Montgomery Variations reflects on the Civil Rights movement, while Mozart’s lively Violin Concert No. 5 features the voice of the next generation, rising violinist Amaryn Olmeda. In a remarkable American premiere, Dmitri Klebanov’s Symphony No. 1 “In Memoriam Babi Yar” gives voice to remembrance and resilience.

Mozart & Klebanov

There’s no place like the Modesto Symphony Orchestra for the holidays! Vocalist & pianist Tony DeSare joins Principal Pops Conductor Ryan Murray and the MSO Chorus for a program full of jazzy holiday favorites and plenty of yuletide cheer.

This February, let the Modesto Symphony Orchestra whisk you away for an enchanting evening of dance, romance, and fantasy! Two-time Latin GRAMMY winner and violinist Anne Akiko Meyers will ignite the stage with her passionate performance of Marquez’s Fandango. Then, be swept away into the fantastic world of Arabian Nights as the MSO performs Rimsky-Korsakov’s mesmerizing Scheherazade!

Scheherazade & Marquez's Fandango

Toy Story, Up, The Incredibles – Pixar revolutionized animated films and created some of the most heartfelt and memorable moments in movie history. Step into the enchanting world of Pixar magic as the Modesto Symphony Orchestra performs the iconic film scores from Finding Nemo, Coco, Monsters Inc., and many more, blending the live performance with the cinematic visuals in a celebration fit for the entire family. 

Pixar in Concert

The MSO’s final Classics concert of the season will have us all celebrating! This program will celebrate the MSO’s 95th season, the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra’s 45th season, and the Modesto Symphony Orchestra Chorus’s 25th season. This finale showcases one of the most well-known pieces of the 20th century, Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. This bombastic epic combines powerful brass, rich harmonies, and the full force of the MSO Chorus.

Carmina Burana

Featuring visually stunning imagery and groundbreaking special effects, the action-packed adventure of Jurassic Park pits man against prehistoric predators in the ultimate battle for survival. Experience it now, projected in HD on a giant screen, with the full Modesto Symphony Orchestra performing John Williams’s iconic score live to picture!

Modesto Symphony Orchestra

Sep 6, 2025

Picnic at the Pops!

Oct 5, 2024 - Oct 5, 2025

Branford Marsalis with the Modesto Symphony Orchestra

10 - 11 Oct, 2025

Williams & Rachmaninoff

Nov 1, 2024 - Nov 2, 2025

The Four Seasons Mixtape

14 - 15 Nov, 2025

Mozart & Klebanov

30 - 31 May, 2025

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark™ Live in Concert

May 10, 2025

MSYO Season Finale Concert

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