KSO 2018-19 Annual Fund Campaign

87%
$250,000.00
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Schubert's 5th
Schubert's 5th

On October 27, we explore the music of Hollywood and Vienna, beginning with Erich Korngold's charming suite from "Much Ado About Nothing." Pablo Sáinz Villegas, the "Soul of Spanish Guitar," brings his exuberance to Elmer Bernstein's "Guitar Concerto." Finally, Schubert's tender and lyrical Fifth Symphony concludes this intimate program.

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Paul Shaffer in Symphony
World Premiere: Paul Shaffer in Symphony

You know him from David Letterman's show! Join Letterman sidekick and musical director, Paul Shaffer, for his world-premiere concert with the KSO. Shaffer will share symphonic renditions of his favorite pop, R&B, and jazz tunes, taking you on a fascinating journey with his stories, reminiscences, and anecdotes.

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KSO in the Classroom
KSO in the Classroom

A collaboration of KSO and Crescendo Academy of Music, Marvelous Music, is a program that reaches over 600 students in 41 classrooms. Using the internationally recognized Muisc Together(R) curriculum, the program builds social-emotional skills (active participation, focus, expression) and Kindergarten readiness skills (motor skills, musical aptitude, pre-reading skills) through music and movement.

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  • KSO Artists in Rsidence
    KSO Artists in Rsidence

    In 1995, as part of the 75th anniversary celebration of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, a commitment was made to develop four full-time positions that would both enable the orchestra to create community service and education programs and strengthen the orchestra ensemble.

    To this end, the Artist in Residence program was begun with the KSO's Burdick-Thorne String Quartet. Since that time, the Artist in Residence program has grown to eight positions; including oboe, clarinet, trombone, and timpani. As a result, the artistic level of the orchestra has soared, and the KSO's education and community programs have expanded to reach over 45,000 people and more than 190 schools in eight counties throughout Southwest Michigan.

    Our current Artists in Residence are:

    Julia Neckermann, Violin
    Lisa A. Williams, Violin
    Grace Byrd, Viola (on leave)
    Igor Cetkovic, Cello
    Gabriel Renteria, Principal Oboe
    Georgiy Borisov, Principal Clarinet
    Edward "Kip" Hickman, Trombone
    Mark Guthrie, Timpani

  • Get to know your orchestra!
    Get to know your orchestra!

    Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra musicians are the heart of our organization.

    Learn more about our talented musicians; KSO's Music Director, Julian Kuerti; Resident Conductor, Daniel Brier; and our Music Director Emeritus, Raymond Harvey.

  • KSO in your community!
    KSO in your Community!

    We LOVE our community. You will find your KSO musicians peforming free public concerts in venues such as Bronson's Garden Atrium, Borgess' Atrium Lobby, First Presbyterian Church of Kalamazoo, Sarkozy Bakery, and Kalamazoo Public Library, and that is just to name a few!

    We are also excited to bring our beloved Instrument Petting Zoo to many local events throughout the year. Fun for kids of all ages!

    Check out our Community Events Calendar for a complete calendar of events.  Or click here for a downloadable PDF of KSO ensemble performances.

Welcome to the KSO!


Experience the magic - passion, energy, artistry, joy, community - Season 98 - Take Note

Our 98th season, 2018-2019, 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 our new music director, Julian Kuerti, to the podium.

New this season: you will have additional opportunities to join KSO Artists In Residence for our 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.

Also new this season, immediately after each Symphonic Series concert, remain in the auditorium for "AfterWORDS," an interactive discussion between the conductor, soloist, and audience.

Make sure to check out our new subscription options. The purchase of any three concerts in the season makes you a Create-Your-Own Subscriber -- enjoy preferred seating, worry-free exchanges, and discounts on most tickets.
 
We hope you will take a few moments to explore our site and learn more about our history, education programs, concert series, our new Music Director and, of course, our talented musicians. We’re committed to ensuring symphonic music is part of everyday life in our community through outstanding musical listening and learning experiences. We look forward to seeing you in the concert hall!