The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Proudly Presents its 2018-19 Season - TAKE NOTE! 98 Years of Artistry and Entertainment

In this 98th season, the KSO will "take note" of great masterworks, with an emphasis on French and female composers, feature famed guest artists, present two blockbuster film concerts and welcome a new music director to the podium.

KALAMAZOO, MI, April 13, 2018 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra proudly announces its upcoming 2018-19 season. In this 98th season, the KSO will "take note" of great masterworks, with an emphasis on French and female composers, feature famed guest artists, present two blockbuster film concerts and welcome a new music director to the podium.

The season's symphonic series will explore the fifth symphonies of Schubert, Tchaikovsky, Mahler, and Sibelius, all composed after Beethoven's fifth, which had set a difficult precedent for future composer's fifths. In keeping with the season's theme, French masterworks bookend the Symphonic Series and will continue to be exhibited in the Classics Uncorked, Classics On Tap and Community Events Series. The Symphonic Series boasts several exciting guest artists and soloists: Di Wu, Piano; Pablo Sáinz Villegas, Guitar; Nina Kotova, Cello; 2018 Stulberg International String Competition Gold Medalist (TBD); Georgiy Borisov, KSO Principal Clarinet; Bramwell Tovey, Guest Conductor; and former KSO Concertmaster, Susie Park, Violin.

As the KSO continues expanding their programming to embrace the whole of our diverse community, the symphonic, chamber, educational, pops, and community event programming will feature several works by women composers including Anna Clyne, Jennifer Higdon and Jessie Montgomery. The Zhang Financial Pops! series presents "Women Rock," a program celebrating some of the biggest names in female singer/songwriter history, such as Carole King, Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, Minnie Riperton, and Heart just to name a few.

From the big screen to television, orchestras provide the soundtrack to modern life. Season 98 celebrates great musical moments in cinematic history with works by early Hollywood masters such as Erich Korngold, Elmer Bernstein and André Previn. KSO@The Movies brings John Williams' incredible scores to life with live orchestra as audiences enjoy two classics - Jaws and Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back – on the big screen. Special appearances by popular television personality, Paul Shaffer (The Tonight Show with David Letterman) and celebrated Hollywood composer, John Debney, add more Hollywood flair to the KSO's Zhang Pops! Series.

Patrons will have additional opportunities to join KSO Artists In Residence for the popular Classics Uncorked chamber concerts. These performances will move to the Judy K. Jolliffe Theatre in Downtown Kalamazoo's Epic Center. This intimate and jazzy atmosphere will enhance the experience and an added performance will allow greater access to these consistently sold out concerts. Enjoy wine, dessert and coffee with performances at both 3pm and 8pm with sommelier Ron Merlino's Wine Prelude at 2 & 7. Classics On Tap has moved to Fridays, but remains at Bell's Eccentric Café offering the same repertoire as Saturday's Uncorked concert but with dozens of Bell's delicious beers on tap.

"The 2018-2019 concert season will be a very exciting one," said Peter H. Gistelinck, President & CEO of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. "Not only are we reaching out to new and broader audiences through our diversified concert programs, we are also paving the way to our 100th anniversary in 2020-2021 with a vital campaign to preserve and expand our Artistic and Educational programs on the horizon."

KSO Resident Conductor Daniel Brier states, "I am thrilled to share this wonderful music with our community. From symphonic masterpieces to cinematic blockbusters, this season offers many musical highlights."

"I'm sure our audience family will "take note" of the exciting season of performances planned for Season 98" states Chair of the KSO Board of Directors, Steven Kreider. "We continue the KSO tradition of great selections and renowned soloists to bring memorable performance experiences to our Kalamazoo stages. I'm especially proud of our continued success in broadening the diversity of our audience by delivering a unique symphonic experience through our movie and pops concerts."

Current subscribers will receive their personalized renewal packets in the mail or can renew their subscriptions now by calling the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra office at (269) 349-7759. Subscriptions for first time subscribers are available for up to 30% off and can be purchased through the KSO office or online. Single tickets will go on sale August 20, 2018.

Please visit kalamazoosymphony.com for more information.

Season Details
SYMPHONIC SERIES
Ravel & Berlioz
Friday, September 14, 2018 | 8pm | Miller Auditorium
Di Wu, Piano

Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique evokes unrequited love, witches, guillotines, and violent hallucinations. Di Wu lends her "keen musical intelligence" (Philadelphia Inquirer) to Ravel's jazzy Piano Concerto in G. Frédéric Devreese's sensuous Benvenuta: Suite No. 1 completes this celebration of French inspired music.

    Devreese    Benvenuta: Symphonic Suite 1
    Ravel    Piano Concerto in G
    Berlioz    Symphonie Fantastique

Schubert's 5th
Saturday, October 27, 2018 | 8pm | Chenery Auditorium
Pablo Sáinz Villegas, Guitar

Erich Korngold's charming suite from Much Ado About Nothing anchors this exploration of the music of Hollywood and Vienna. Pablo Sáinz Villegas brings his "irresistible exuberance" (New York Times) to Elmer Bernstein's Guitar Concerto. Schubert's tender and lyrical Fifth Symphony concludes this intimate program.

    Korngold    Suite from Much Ado About Nothing
    Bernstein    Guitar Concerto "For Two Christophers"
    Schubert    Symphony No. 5

Sibelius & Dvořák
Saturday, November 17, 2018 | 8pm | Miller Auditorium
Nina Kotova, Cello

Sibelius crafted his entire Symphony No. 5 from one simple, four note idea. The final moments, inspired by the flight of swans, soar to a majestic conclusion. Nina Kotova, a "strong and individual artist" (Grammophone), closes the program with Dvořák's grand Cello Concerto.

    Sibelius    Symphony No. 5
    Dvořák    Cello Concerto

Tchaikovsky's 5th
Saturday, January 26, 2019 | 8pm | Miller Auditorium
2018 Stulberg International String Competition Gold Medalist

Anna Clyne's Night Ferry conjures an evocative voyage from stormy darkness to enchanted worlds. The Gold Medalist of the 2018 Stulberg International String Competition makes their KSO debut. The orchestral brilliance of Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5 brings the program to an unforgettably thrilling conclusion.

    Clyne    Night Ferry
    TBD    2018 Stulberg Winner, TBD
    Tchaikovsky    Symphony No. 5

Mahler's 5th
Saturday, March 9, 2019 | 8pm | Miller Auditorium
Bramwell Tovey, Conductor & Georgiy Borisov, Clarinet

Rage, passion, tenderness, joy, and sorrow — are all in Mahler's Symphony No. 5. Maestro Bramwell Tovey, "one of the most versatile and charismatic musicians in the world" (Musical America), leads the orchestra. KSO Principal Clarinet and Artist in Residence, Georgiy Borisov performs Jonathan Leshnoff's captivating Clarinet Concerto.

    Leshnoff    Clarinet Concerto "Nekudim" (2015)
    Mahler    Symphony No. 5

Bartók & Stravinsky
Friday, May 17, 2019 | 8pm | Miller Auditorium
Susie Park, Violin

Machine, by Pulitzer Prize winning composer, Jennifer Higdon, opens our final Symphonic Series concert, followed by former KSO Concertmaster, Susie Park, performing Bartók's Violin Concerto No. 2. Edgy, intense and exhilarating, Igor Stravinsky's Rite of Spring closes season 98.

    Higdon    Machine
    Bartók    Violin Concerto No. 2
    Stravinsky    Rite of Spring

ZHANG FINANCIAL POPS! SERIES
Paul Shaffer in Symphony
Saturday, November 3, 2018 | 8pm | Miller Auditorium
J. Ernest Green, Conductor & Paul Shaffer

Enjoy an evening with Paul Shaffer as he shares symphonic renditions of his favorite pop, R&B and Jazz tunes. Shaffer, longtime sidekick and musical director to David Letterman, will also take you on a fascinating journey with his stories, reminiscences, and anecdotes.

Varèse Sarabande 40th Anniversary Gala with John Debney
Saturday, December 1, 2018 | 8pm | Miller Auditorium
John Debney, Conductor

Let's celebrate Hollywood film music with Academy Award® nominee and intentional renowned film composer, John Debney (The Passion of the Christ), at the podium and internationally acclaimed flutist, Sara Andon, for an epic, multi-sensory musical event.

Women Rock
Friday, April 12, 2019 | 8pm | Miller Auditorium
Robert Thompson, Conductor

Join us as we honor powerful female singers and songwriters who changed Pop and Rock & Roll forever. Celebrate the music of Carole King, Holly Knight, Tina Turner, Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin, Pat Benatar, Minnie Riperton and Heart. Local female artists will have an opportunity to audition for a special appearance on stage!

SPECIAL EVENT
Sounds of the Season - Songs of Love, Joy & Peace
Saturday, December 15, 2018 | 8pm | Chenery Auditorium
Daniel Brier, Conductor; Mark McVey, Marissa McGowan & Valerie Lemon, Vocals

Join KSO musicians, local chorus members and renowned vocalists, Marissa McGowan, Mark McVey and Valerie Lemon, as they bring songs of peace, love and joy to Chenery Auditorium in our annual Sounds of the Season celebration!

KSO@THE MOVIES!
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back – In Concert
Thursday, October 11, 2018 | 8pm | Miller Auditorium
Friday, October 12, 2018 | 8pm | Miller Auditorium
Daniel Brier, Conductor

Travel through time to "a galaxy far, far away" as your KSO presents another unparalleled STAR WARS film concert with The Empire Strikes Back. The orchestra will perform John Williams' thrilling and Academy Award-winning musical score while you enjoy the full-length, iconic movie from 1980. Get your costumes ready! Children must be six years or older to attend this performance.

Presentation licensed by Disney Concerts in association with 20th Century Fox, Lucasfilm Ltd. and Warner/Chappell Music.
© 2018 & TM LUCASFILM LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © DISNEY.

Jaws - In Concert
Saturday, March 30, 2019 | 8pm | Miller Auditorium
Daniel Brier, Conductor

Relive the thrilling suspense of JAWS as the KSO plays the iconic score in sync with the film projected on the big screen. Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the concert hall... The original summer movie blockbuster, with an Academy Award®-winning score by composer John Williams, JAWS is an unforgettable film-with-live-orchestra experience!

Jaws is a trademark and copyright of Universal Studios. Licensed by Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

FAMILY DISCOVERY
All tickets $5. Pre-concert activities begin at 2pm with Instrument Petting Zoo & Meet the Maestro at 2:40pm.

Beethoven Lives Upstairs
Sunday, September 30, 2018 | 3pm | Chenery Auditorium
Daniel Brier, Conductor & Classical Kids LIVE!

This world-famous production features a lively exchange of letters between young Christoph and his uncle about the "madman" who has moved into the upstairs apartment of Christoph's Vienna home. Listeners will be riveted by the music and life of Beethoven.

The Phantom of the Orchestra
Sunday, February 10, 2019 | 3pm | Chenery Auditorium
Daniel Brier, Conductor

Mysterious calamities continue to befall the orchestra's performances. Does a mysterious phantom haunt Chenery Auditorium? Join Inspector Jones on an orchestral adventure for all ages as he uncovers a diabolical scheme to silence the orchestra once and for all.

CLASSICS UNCORKED & ON TAP
New! On Tap now on Friday night. Uncorked has moved to the Epic Center's Judy K. Jolliffe Theatre for two performances on Saturdays!

Winter Evening
Resident Conductor, Daniel Brier leads KSO Artists in Residence and a guest vocalist in Schubert's beloved song cycle, Winterreise (Winter Journey).

    Classics on Tap
    Friday, January 18, 2019 | 8pm | Bell's Eccentric Café

    Classics Uncorked
    Saturday, January 19, 2019 | Two Concerts - 3pm & 8pm | Judy K. Jolliffe Theatre, Epic Center

Spring Evening
KSO Artists in Residence welcome spring with a lively performance of 20th Century French chamber music.

    Classics on Tap
    Friday, May 10, 2019 | 8pm | Bell's Eccentric Café

    Classics Uncorked
    Saturday, May 11, 2019 | Two Concerts - 3pm & 8pm | Judy K. Jolliffe Theatre, Epic Center

Visit www.kalamazoosymphony.com for up-to-date information, details and schedules. Prices, artists, dates, times and programs are subject to change without notice.

The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra receives major support from the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra also receives generous support from other local, state and national foundations, as well as private and corporate support. For more information, visit www.kalamazoosymphony.com.

ABOUT THE KALAMAZOO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Founded in 1921, the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra is Southwest Michigan's premier musical organization and the state's third largest orchestra. Serving Michigan's fourth largest metropolitan area, the KSO provides more than thirty concert performances each year, reaching more than 80,000 adults and youth per year with great symphonic music and world class guest artists. With an equally vibrant educational mission, the KSO offers school-based programs that music teachers rely on to support their curriculum, and afterschool programs that have been recognized by the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards and Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute. The KSO has won numerous awards and grants, including the Met Life Award for Arts Access in Underserved Communities, the National Endowment for the Arts for its extensive education programs, and a major Ford Foundation grant to establish its innovative Artists in Residence program.

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