The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) presents Symphonic Soundtrack on March 15 and 16, 2024 led by Music Director Nicholas Hersh. The weekend’s concerts will be presented in a new format for the MSO. It will have no intermission and includes a program curated by Hersh and the MSO orchestra musicians that features their favorite, shorter pieces of symphonic repertoire. Another new addition is after the concert, all audience members are invited to join Hersh and the MSO orchestra musicians for a party in the Gallo Center for the Arts lobby featuring refreshments, appetizers, and the opportunity to mingle and celebrate the love of music.

“This concert features selections that have been chosen not only by myself—the conductor—but also our musicians,” said Hersh. “When it comes to a typical symphony concert, usually it’s the conductor’s job to pick every piece on the program, which can be great and fun for me as a conductor, but often it can be lonely. It’s an exciting thing to be able to collaborate with our MSO musicians on picking pieces of music that they love to play and putting them all together in one program.”

The concert’s program includes Aaron Copland’s Clarinet Concerto featuring MSO’s principal clarinet, Rob Patterson. Other works include crowd-favorite Stravinsky’s The Firebird, alongside contemporary pieces such as 2024 Grammy-winning composer, Jessie Montgomery’s Starburst for string orchestra, and John Williams’ “Princess Leia Theme” from Star Wars.

“If you’ve never been to the symphony and you’re at all curious as to what it’s like, this is a perfect concert for you to try out,” Hersh said. “Not only will it be an intermission-less, short program, but there will be an afterparty in the lobby where you can meet me and the musicians and have a great time.”

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. for both Friday, March 15 and Saturday, March 16.

The performances will be staged at the Gallo Center for the Arts, Mary Stuart Rogers Theater, 1000 I St., Modesto.

Ticket prices for adults range from $20 to $94; $12 student tickets are available at the Gallo Center Ticket Office. Students can purchase two $12 tickets with their student ID.

Tickets are available online through ModestoSymphony.org or through the Gallo Center for the Arts Ticket Office at (209) 338-2100. Ticket Office hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday noon to 6 p.m.