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The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Unveils its 2019-20 Concert Season -- Diverse Musical Selections and Community Collaborations Highlight New Music Director’s First KSO Season Design

St. Matthew Passion
4/18/2019

KALAMAZOO, Mich., Apr. 18, 2019 – Create shared, live musical experiences with your Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra during our exciting 2019-20 concert season. Performances will encompass a diverse range of music from the baroque to music of the present day and expand Kalamazoo community connections with the symphony. The orchestra’s 99th concert season is the first fully designed by the KSO’s new Music Director, Julian Kuerti.

Tags: concert, Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, kso, season

Kalamazoo Symphony Presents Passionate Works by Leshnoff and Mahler; Music Director Julian Kuerti Returns to Conduct

Soloist Georgiy Barisov, Principal Clarinet and Artist in Residence
3/7/2019

KALAMAZOO, Mich., Mar. 7, 2019 – The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra’s exploration of fifth symphonies continues Saturday, March 9, with “Symphony No. 5 in C-sharp minor,” by Gustav Mahler. The concert opens with the “Clarinet Concerto ‘Nekudim,’” by modern American composer Jonathan Leshnoff (JonathanLeshnoff.com), featuring KSO Principal Clarinet and Artist in Residence, Georgiy Borisov, as soloist. KSO Music Director, Julian Kuerti, will conduct the orchestra.

Tags: Clarinet, concert, Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, kso, Kuerti, Leshnoff, mahler

Jolliffe and Gustin Join Symphony as Co-Interim Executive Directors; Seasoned Leaders Bring Experience and Passion for the Arts to the KSO

Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra
2/22/2019

KALAMAZOO, Mich., Feb. 22, 2019 – Two well-known Kalamazoo music and arts leaders will serve as co-interim executive directors of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, effective immediately. Judy Jolliffe and Daniel R. Gustin will share symphony leadership duties while the organization's board of directors launch a search for a permanent executive director

Tags: Executive Director, Gustin, Jolliffe, kso, KSO Board of Directors, leadership, Musicians Committee

Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Welcomes Guest Cellist Nina Kotova; Concert Features Works by Sibelius and Dvořák

Guest Cellist, Nina Kotova
11/14/2018

KALAMAZOO, Mich., Nov. 14, 2018 – On Saturday, November 17, the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra continues its exploration of fifth symphonies with the “Symphony No. 5 in E-flat Major, Op. 82,” by Jean Sibelius. To conclude the concert, Russian-American cellist Nina Kotova joins the orchestra for Antonín Dvořák’s “Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104.” 

Tags: Cello, concert, Concerto, Daniel Brier, Dvorak, Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, kso, Nina Kotova, Sibelius, symphony

Paul Shaffer Joins Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra for World-Premiere Concert -- Former Letterman Show bandleader headlines first 2018-19 Zhang Financial Pops! Series program

Paul Shaffer in Symphony
10/25/2018

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.

Tags: David Letterman, Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, kso, Late Night with David Letterman, Letterman Show, Paul Shaffer, Valerie Simpson

KSO Welcomes Guitarist Pablo Sáinz Villegas for October 27 Concert at Chenery Auditorium

Guest Guitarist, Pablo Sáinz Villegas
10/24/2018

Your Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra explores the music of Hollywood and Vienna during its second Symphonic Series concert on October 27 at Chenery Auditorium in Kalamazoo. Guest artist Pablo Sáinz Villegas, known as the "Soul of the Spanish Guitar," joins the orchestra for this intimate program.

Tags: Bernstein, classical guitar, guitar, Hollywood, Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, Korngold, kso, Pablo Sainz Villegas, Schubert, Vienna

Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Presents “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back,” Live in Concert; Full-length, iconic film shown at Miller Auditorium on October 11 & 12

"Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back" in Concert
10/10/2018

KALAMAZOO, Mich., Oct. 10, 2018 – The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra will present “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back,” on October 11 and 12, with Oscar-winning composer John Williams’ musical scores performed live to the full-length feature film. Attendees are encouraged to dress in Star Wars attire and to arrive early. Local Star Wars groups and costuming organizations will be available for photos and conversation beginning at 7 p.m. The concert begins at 8 p.m. at Miller Auditorium.

Tags: Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, kso, Star Wars, Star Wars Episode V the Empire Strikes Back in Concert, Star Wars in Concert

Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Begins its 98th Season with New Music Director at the Helm; Award-Winning Pianist Di Wu Joins for Ravel Piano Concerto at Miller Auditorium

Guest Pianist, Di Wu
9/10/2018

KALAMAZOO, Mich., Sept. 10, 2018 – The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra (KSO) launches its 2018-19 season when its newly installed music director, Julian Kuerti, leads Van Cliburn Competition-winning pianist Di Wu and the KSO on groundbreaking French and French-inspired music by Frédéric Devreese, Maurice Ravel, and Hector Berlioz on Friday, September 14, at 8 p.m., at Miller Auditorium in Kalamazoo. 

Tags: Berlioz, Devreese, Di Wu, Julian Kuerti, Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, Kalamazoo Trumpet Workshop, kso, KSO Season 98, Orchestra Rouh, Ravel, Student Showcase, Symphonic Series

KSO Presents World Premiere of “Revolution: The Beatles Symphonic Experience,” A Co-Production of Schirmer Theatrical and Greenberg Artists

9/5/2018

KALAMAZOO, Mich., Sept. 4, 2018 – Schirmer Theatrical, LLC, and Greenberg Artists are proud to present the world premiere of “Revolution: The Beatles Symphonic Experience,” with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra (KSO) on Dec. 1, at Miller Auditorium in Kalamazoo. “Revolution” is the first authorized, symphonic experience for The Beatles, featuring never-before-seen photos from the official Beatles Book Photo Library in London, alongside stunning new video and animation created by award-winning creative video designer Charles Yurick.

Tags: kso, KSO Pops, The Beatles

Julian Kuerti Appointed Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra's New Music Director

Julian Kuerti
6/27/2018

KALAMAZOO, MI– June 27, 2018 - The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors and President & CEO, Peter H. Gistelinck, are pleased to announce that internationally renowned conductor Julian Kuerti has been appointed as its new Music Director. Mr. Kuerti will assume the title of Music Director beginning with the 2018-2019 season, succeeding Raymond Harvey, who ended his eighteen-year tenure with the orchestra in 2017, and has since then become the Orchestra's first Music Director Emeritus.

Tags: 2018-2019 Season, Board of Directors, Daniel Brier, Julian Kuerti, Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, kso, Music Director Announcement, Peter H. Gistelinck, Search Committee