Modesto Symphony Celebrates the Joy of Season with Candlelight Concert on Dec. 18 | Arts & Culture

WHAT:  The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) will celebrate the joy of the holiday season at their Holiday Candlelight Concert on Tuesday December 18, 2012 at 8pm at the St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Modesto.  Associate Conductor Ming Luke will lead the orchestra in this community favorite of traditional carols and holiday music featuring the Modesto Symphony Orchestra, MSO Chorus, the Expressions Children’s Chorale and the Opus Handbell Ensemble. 

MING LUKE, ASSOCIATE CONDUCTOR - In constant demand as a conductor, pianist and educator, Ming Luke is known for his energetic performances. He is the Associate Conductor for both the Berkeley and Modesto Symphonies, and has an active career as a guest conductor; recent engagements include: San Francisco Ballet, Opera San José, Sacramento Opera, Napa Regional Dance Company, Sacramento Philharmonic, and Napa Valley Symphony. 

Luke also serves as the Chorus Master for the Sacramento Opera. As a member of the Westminster Symphonic Choir at Westminster Choir College, Luke performed with the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, and New Jersey Symphony. He was also a staff conductor for the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh and helped prepare the choir for such conductors as Charles Dutoit, André Previn, Mariss Jansons, and Lucas Richman.

A passionate educator, Luke has been involved with numerous youth ensembles throughout his career. He writes, conducts, and arranges music for over 20 concerts a year with the Berkeley Symphony as their Director and Conductor of the Education Programs in various School and Family Concerts. He is the Music Director for both the Napa Valley Youth Symphony and the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra and is a frequent guest for student ensembles. He has served on grant panels for the National Endowment of the Arts and the Grants and Cultural Committee of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission. 

Ming Luke holds a Master of Fine Arts in Conducting from Carnegie Mellon University and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Piano Pedagogy from Westminster Choir College of Rider University.

WHO:  Ming Luke, Conductor
Modesto Symphony Orchestra    

Modesto Symphony Chorus, Dr. Daniel R. Afonso, Jr., artistic director

Expressions Children’s Chorale, Candy Chamberlain, artistic director
Opus Handbell Ensemble, Richard Colla, artistic director

PROGRAM:     

My Spirit Be Joyful / Johann Sebastian Bach /   Trans. Harry Herforth
Noël Nouvelet / Arr. John Rutter
In the Bleak Midwinter / Harold Darke / Text by Christina Rosetti
O Little Town of Bethlehem / Lewis H. Redner / Orch.  Steve Sheppard / Text by Phillips Brooks
Fantasia on “Greensleeves” / R. Vaughan Williams / Arr. Ralph Greaves
Angel We Have Heard on High / Arr. Hall H. Hopson                 
Pavane for a Silent Night / Maurice Ravel / Based on Pavane Pour Une Defunte / Arr. Patrick M. Liebergen / Text by Jean Shafferman
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly / Arr. John Rutter / Trans. Edith M. Reed
Contrapunctus IX from Art of Fugue / Johann Sebastian Bach / Arr. John Glasel
Lo! How a Rose E’er Blooming / Cynthia Dobrinski
Coventry Carol / Arr. Martin Fallas Shaw
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen  / Arr. John Hillebrandt
In Dulci Jubilo / Arr. John Hillebrandt
Wondrous Love / Arr. Samuel Lancaster
Pat-a-Pan / Arr. Fred Gramann
I Wonder as I Wander / Arr. John Niles and Lewis Horton
Joy To the World / G.F. Handel and Lowell Mason / Arr. Cynthia Dobrinski
Adeste Fideles (O Come all ye Faithful) / John F. Wade

WHEN:  Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at 8:00p.m.

WHERE:  St. Stanislaus Catholic Church

1416 Maze Blvd., Modesto

TICKETS:  General Seating Adult Tickets are $35 and Youth Tickets (17 and under) are $10.

Tickets are available through the Gallo Center for the Arts Box Office at (209) 338-2100, Monday through Friday 10:00am - 6:00pm and Saturdays 12:00pm - 6:00pm or at www.modestosymphony.org

Source: The Modesto Symphony Orchesta