25/26 Bravo 5 (Nov 26-Dec 21)

THIS ISSUE:

The Orchestra 2025/26 SEASON

VIOLIN 1

Juliana Athayde+, Concertmaster

The Caroline W. Gannett & Clayla Ward Chair, funded in perpetuity

Angelina Phillips, Associate Concertmaster

The Fred M. And Lurita D. Wechsler Chair, funded in perpetuity

Shannon Nance, Assistant Concertmaster

Jeongwon An

Tigran Vardanyan

James Zabawa-Martinez

Thomas Rodgers

Anna Leunis

Molly McDonald

Kurt Munstedt

Chihiro Kakishima

Perrin Yang

Jeremy Hill

An-Chi Lin

VIOLIN 2

Jeanelle Thompson, Principal

The Dr. Ralph F. Jozefowicz Chair

Daryl Perlo, Assistant Principal

The James E. Dumm Chair, funded in perpetuity

Patricia Sunwoo

John Sullivan

Lara Sipols

Sooyeon Kim

Petros Karapetyan

Liana Koteva Kirvan

Margaret Leenhouts

Heidi Brodwin

Elin Schlichting

Ellen Stokoe

VIOLA

Joshua Newburger+, Principal

The William L. Gamble Chair, funded in perpetuity

Marc Anderson, Assistant Principal

Rebecca Christainsen

James Marshall

Olita Povero

Neil Miller

Melissa Matson

Ye In Son

David Hult

Grant Rieke

CELLO

Ahrim Kim, Principal

The Clara and Edwin Strasenburgh Chair, funded in perpetuity

Lars Kirvan, Assistant Principal

Samuel Pierce-Ruhland

Christopher Haritatos

Garri Hovsepyan

Benjamin Krug

Jennifer Carpenter^

Ingrid Bock

BASS

Cory Palmer, Principal

The Anne Hayden McQuay Chair, funded in perpetuity

Michael Griffin, Assistant Principal

Daniel Morehead

Edward Castilano

Fred Dole

Jeff Campbell+

Eric Polenik

FLUTE

Rebecca Gilbert, Principal

The Charlotte Whitney Allen Chair, funded in perpetuity

Sean Marron

Elise Kim

PICCOLO

Sean Marron

Elise Kim

OBOE

Erik Behr, Principal

The Dr. Jacques M. Lipson Chair, funded in perpetuity

Anna Steltenpohl

Megan Kyle

ENGLISH HORN

Anna Steltenpohl

CLARINET

Hector Noriega*, Principal

The Robert J. Strasenburgh Chair, funded in perpetuity

Kamalia Freyling^

Andrew Brown

E-FLAT CLARINET

Kamalia Freyling^

BASS CLARINET

Andrew Brown

BASSOON

Matthew McDonald, Principal

The Ron and Donna Fielding Chair, funded in perpetuity

Karl Vilcins

Martha Sholl

CONTRA-BASSOON

Karl Vilcins

HORN

YiCheng Gong, Associate

Maura McCune Corvington+

Nathan Ukens

Stephen Laifer+

TRUMPET

Wesley Nance+

Herbert Smith

Paul Shewan

TROMBONE

David Bruestle, Principal

The Austin E. Hildebrandt Chair, funded in perpetuity

Lisa Albrecht

Jeffrey Gray+

BASS TROMBONE

Jeffrey Gray+

TUBA

W. Craig Sutherland, Principal

The Rob W. Goodling Chair, funded in perpetuity

TIMPANI

Charles Ross+, Principal

The Harold and Joan Feinbloom Chair, funded in perpetuity

PERCUSSION

Caleb Breidenbaugh, Principal

The Marie-Merrill and George M. Ewing Chair, funded in perpetuity

Brian Stotz

The Barbara and Patrick Fulford Chair, funded in perpetuity

HARP

Grace Browning, Principal

The Eileen Malone Chair. A Tribute to Mr. and Mrs. Harcourt M. Sylvester

Rosanna Moore

KEYBOARD

Chiao-Wen Cheng+, Principal

The Lois P. Lines Chair, funded in perpetuity

PERSONNEL MANAGER

Fred Dole

PRINCIPAL LIBRARIAN

Kimberly Hartquist

Kathalee & Ian Hodge Library

Operation Endowment

STAGE MANAGERS

Danielle Suhr

Cederick Martinez

+ Eastman faculty

^ Year leave of absence

* 1-year appointment

ANDREAS DELFS Music Director

Andreas Delfs has built a reputation over his 35-year career as one of the most dynamic and respected conductors on the international stage. Celebrated for his visionary leadership and deep musical insight, he is equally renowned as a masterful orchestra builder and an inspiring music director. Known for his emotionally charged and dramatically nuanced interpretations—particularly of the late Romantic repertoire—Delfs has earned critical acclaim across North America and Europe. His performances are marked by an ever-deepening artistic maturity, bringing a rare combination of passion, precision, and authenticity to every podium he graces.

Educated at leading conservatories on both sides of the Atlantic and shaped by mentorships with legendary conductors, Delfs has cultivated a style forged through decades of experience. At the same time, his unwavering curiosity and enthusiasm for contemporary music have made him a champion of living composers. He has established lasting collaborations with many of today’s most compelling musical voices, conducting numerous world premieres and commissioning new works. Among his many artistic inspirations are Hans Werner Henze, György Ligeti, Philip Glass, and Roberto Sierra—composers whose diverse idioms have helped shape his unique interpretive voice. His artistry has also drawn world-class soloists to the stage, including André Watts, Emanuel Ax, Joshua Bell, Hilary Hahn, Yo-Yo Ma, Lang Lang, and Renée Fleming.

Delfs has held prominent leadership roles with orchestras on both continents. As Music Director of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra from 1996 to 2009—and later as its Conductor Laureate—he played a pivotal role in elevating the ensemble to national acclaim. He also led the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra as Music Director (2001–2004) and Artistic Consultant (2004–2006). In Europe, he served as General Music Director of Hanover, Germany (1995–2000), overseeing both the city’s symphony orchestra and its distinguished opera company. Earlier appointments include Music Director of the Bern Opera, Resident Conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony during Lorin Maazel’s tenure, and Music Director—at an impressively young age—of the Orchestre Suisse des Jeunes.

Throughout his career, Delfs has conducted many of the world’s premier orchestras. His international credits include the London Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic, Frankfurt Radio Symphony, Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich, Danish National Symphony, Netherlands Philharmonic, NHK Symphony Orchestra Tokyo, Philadelphia Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Sydney Symphony, Beijing Symphony, Seoul Philharmonic, and the National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan.

Born in Flensburg, Germany, Delfs began studying piano and music theory at the age of five. He studied under Christoph von Dohnányi and Aldo Ceccato at the Hamburg Conservatory, where, at just 20 years old, he became the youngest Music Director of the Hamburg University Orchestra and served as Musical Assistant at the Hamburg State Opera. He later continued his training at The Juilliard School, studying with Jorge Mester, Sixten Ehrling, and Leonard Bernstein, and was honored with the prestigious Bruno Walter Memorial Scholarship.

PHOTO: ALEX CASSETTI

Our Conductors

JEFF TYZIK Principal Pops Conductor

25/26 marks Jeff Tyzik’s 32nd season as RPO Pops Conductor. But his musical journey began long before his permanent residency in Kodak Hall.

Born in Hyde Park, New York, he started playing cornet at age nine—inspired by the buglers during an Independence Day parade in nearby Poughkeepsie. He switched to trumpet at age 11, and eventually went on to attend Rochester’s Eastman School of Music, ultimately earning Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees.

Even before Tyzik’s schooling was completed, his star was on the rise. While at Eastman, Tyzik met Chuck Mangione, with whom he worked between 1973 and 1980 —both as lead trumpeter in Mangione’s band and as co-producer of four albums. During that time, Tyzik befriended Tonight Show band leader Doc Severinsen, who eventually invited Tyzik to London to record two albums. That relationship proved fruitful, with Tyzik producing the Grammy-winning The Tonight Show Band with Doc Severinsen, Vol. 1. Severinsen’s albums with Tyzik would go on to earn three additional Grammy nominations.

Tyzik also recorded his own albums as a solo trumpeter between 1981 and 1990, when he and his big band frequently performed in Rochester.

In 1993, Tyzik proposed a four-concert series featuring RPO members dubbed “All in the Family.” The first debuted Oct. 22 and highlighted Kenneth Grant (clarinet), Joseph Werner (piano), and percussionists William Cahn and Dave Mancini. Less than a month later, Tyzik was asked to become Principal Pops Conductor.

Jeff quickly made his mark on the orchestra, in his second season performing the first in his endearing, enduring Gala Holiday Pops series. He also made RPO history conducting an all-Gershwin album featuring pianist Jon Nakamatsu. The recording topped the Billboard Classical chart and remained in the top 10 for three months.

Over five decades, Tyzik has guest-conducted more than 100 orchestras, including the Boston Pops, Cincinnati Pops, and Milwaukee Symphony. In September 2023, he made his debut with the New York Philharmonic and returned later that season to conduct the Philadelphia Orchestra’s 2023–24 finale.

He’s also shared the stage with a remarkable range of artists across genres—from Tony Bennett and Leslie Odom Jr. to Wynonna Judd, Art Garfunkel, Marilyn Horne, Arturo Sandoval, The Chieftains, Megan Hilty, Dawn Upshaw, and John Pizzarelli.

In 2012, Tyzik and his daughter Jami co-founded the management and production company Greenberg Artists. Since 2016, in partnership with Schirmer Theatrical, they’ve developed dozens of orchestral Pops programs now performed by nearly 200 orchestras.

In 2023, Tyzik launched TyzikMusic.com, a digital publishing platform featuring more than 150 of his arrangements, orchestrations, and compositions for symphony orchestra, chamber ensembles, and wind ensemble.

CHRISTOPHER SEAMAN Conductor Laureate

The Christopher Seaman Chair, supported by Barbara and Patrick Fulford and The Conductor Laureate Society

Christopher Seaman was music director of the RPO from 1998-2011, and was subsequently named conductor laureate. During his 13-year tenure, the longest in RPO history, he raised the Orchestra’s artistic level, broadened its audience base, and created a new concert series. This contribution was recognized with an award from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. In May 2009, the University of Rochester made him an honorary doctor of music.

Previous positions include music director of the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra (Florida) for 10 years, conductor-in-residence with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and artistic advisor of the San Antonio Symphony.

He is recognized for his wealth of repertoire, which ranges from baroque to contemporary, and in particular the works of Bruckner, Brahms, and Sibelius Seaman also is highly regarded for his work with younger musicians, and he served as course director for the Symphony Services International Conductor Development Program (Australia) for many years.

Recent conducting engagements include the Aspen Music Festival, Detroit, Houston, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, and Seattle symphony orchestras; the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Kristians Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra of Opera North, and Orquestra Filarmônica de Minas Gerais in Brazil. He frequently visits Australia and Asia where he has conducted the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and the National Taiwan, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Singapore symphony orchestras, among others.

RPO Board of Directors 2025/26 SEASON

Maintaining and operating the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (Founded in 1923 —Incorporated in 1930)

OFFICERS

Diana Clarkson, Esq., Chair of the Board

Katherine Lindahl, Chair-Elect of the Board

Cindy Yancey, Vice Chair of the Board

Karen Kessler, Secretary

Richard Stein, Treasurer

Ross P. Lanzafame, Esq., Immediate Past Chair

TERM EXPIRES JUNE 2026

Daisy R. Algarin

Diana Clarkson, Esq.

George Daddis

Catherine Frangenberg

Allyson Hiranandani

Dr. Diane Lu

Sujatha Ramanujan

Elizabeth F. Rice

Ronald E. Salluzzo

Dr. Eva P. Sauer

George J. Schwartz, M.D.

Richard Stein

Dr. James Watters

TERM EXPIRES JUNE 2027

Brian Bennett

Emerson Fullwood

Kimberly Gangi

Paulette Gissendanner

Catherine Gueli

Zuzanna Kwon

Katherine Lindahl

Jack McGowan

Sidney Sobel, M.D.

Cindy Yancey DIANA CLARKSON, CHAIR OF THE BOARD

TERM EXPIRES

JUNE 2028

Ron Dougherty

Sreeram Dhurjaty

James Fulmer

Laurie A. Haelen

Ralph F. Jozefowicz. M.D.

Karen Kessler

Deborah Onslow

Keila Pena

Sara Poe

Joseph B. Rizzo, Esq.

EX-OFFICIO

Curtis S. Long

President & CEO

Ross P. Lanzafame, Esq., Immediate Past Chair

Kate Sheeran

Dean, Eastman School of Music

Nathan Ukens

Orchestra Representative Wesley Nance

Orchestra Representative

James Englert Chairperson, Honorary Board

HONORARY BOARD

James Englert, Chairperson, Honorary Board

Stephen B. Ashley

Nancy Beilfuss*

James M. Boucher

Paul W. Briggs*

William L. Cahn

Louise Epstein

Joan Feinbloom

Ilene Flaum

Betsy Friedman

Patrick Fulford

Ronald A. Furman*

Mary M. Gooley*

Suzanne Gouvernet*

David C. Heiligman

A. Thomas Hildebrandt

Harold A. Kurland, Esq.

Dr. Dawn F. Lipson

Jacques M. Lipson, MD*

Cricket and Frank Luellen*

Michael Millard

Elizabeth F. Rice

Nathan J. Robfogel, Esq.

Jon L. Schumacher, Esq.

Katherine T. Schumacher

Ingrid Stanlis

Betty Strasenburgh*

Josephine S. Trubek

Suzanne D. Welch

Patricia Wilder*

Deborah Wilson

Robert Woodhouse

The RPO expresses its gratitude to all those who have served as Honorary Board members in the past.

PAST RPO CHAIRPERSONS

1930–32: Edward G. Miner*

1932–34: Simon N. Stein*

1934–38: George E. Norton*

1938–41: Leroy E. Snyder*

1941–42: Frank W. Lovejoy*

1942–43: Bernard E. Finucane*

1943–46: L. Dudley Field*

1946–48: Edward S. Farrow, Jr. *

1948–51: Joseph J. Myler*

1951–52: Joseph F. Taylor*

1952–55: Raymond W. Albright*

1955–57: Arthur I. Stern*

1957–59: Thomas H. Hawks*

1959–61: Walter C. Strakosh*

1962–63: Ernest J. Howe*

1963–65: O. Cedric Rowntree*

1965–67: Frank E. Holley *

1967–69: Thomas C. Taylor*

1969–71: Thomas H. Miller*

1971–72: Mrs. Frederick J. Wilkens*

1972–73: Edward C. McIrvine

1973–74: Robert J. Strasenburgh*

1974–75: John A. Santuccio

1975–76: Robert J. Strasenburgh*

1976–78: Dr. Louis Lasagna*

1978–80: Edward C. McIrvine

1980–82: Peter L. Faber

1982–84: Paul F. Pagerey*

1984–85: Peter L. Waasdorp*

1986–89: Robert H. Hurlbut*

1989–91: Paul W. Briggs

1991–93: Karen Noble Hanson*

1993–95: Ronald E. Salluzzo

1995–98: A. Thomas Hildebrandt

1998–00: Harold A. Kurland, Esq.

2000–04: David C. Heiligman

2004–06: Ingrid A. Stanlis

2006–09: James M. Boucher

2009–11: Suzanne D. Welch

2011–13: Elizabeth F. Rice

2013–15: Dr. Dawn F. Lipson

2015-17: Jules L. Smith, Esq.

2017-19: Ingrid A. Stanlis

2019-2024: Ross P. Lanzafame, Esq.

* Deceased

SEASON & SERIES SPONSORS:

POPS SERIES SPONSORS

ORKIDSTRA

RPYO SPONSOR

HOLIDAY SPONSOR

RPO FOR

SPONSOR

SEASON

SPONSORS

7 PM

Tara Simoncic, conductor

ROCHESTER CITY BALLET

Shannon Purpura, artistic director

Megan Kamler, artistic director

John Deming, ballet master

Timothy Draper, founder/choreographer

Bach Children’s Chorus

KODAK HALL AT EASTMAN THEATRE

Karla Krogstad, founder and director

ROCHESTER CITY BALLET COMPANY MEMBERS:

John Deming, Katherine Duffy Deming, Samantha Howe, Megan Kamler, Adam Kittelberger, Lydia Marbach, Shannon Purpura, Anna Turani

ROCHESTER CITY BALLET APPRENTICES:

Samantha Goodelle, Abigail Jacobs, Lily Janneck, Thomas Montgomery, Elizabeth Pinel, Marlena Roberts

ROCHESTER CITY BALLET JUNIOR APPRENTICES:

Sophia Barnard-DeCann, Jessica Bealer

CHOREOGRAPHY: Timothy Draper, Megan Kamler, Jamey Leverett, Shannon Purpura

PRODUCTION DESIGN:

Lighting Design by Gordon J. Estey, Jerry Smith

Costume Design by Sylvia Hanlon, Chinese Tea Divertissement Costume Design by Yuanting Zhao

Set Design by Sylvia Hanlon, Gordon J. Estey

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR: Katherine Duffy Deming

COMPANY MANAGER: Jaimee Hauck

HEAD OF WARDROBE: Deena Rodriguez

WARDROBE VOLUNTEER MANAGER: Rebecca Kroll

WARDROBE COORDINATOR: Michelle Higgins

WARDROBE ASSISTANTS: Jessica Dugo, Amelia Hines, Laurie Shin

PHOTOGRAPHERS: Erich Camping, Thomas Rodriguez

ASL INTERPRETER: Brittany Benson

STAGE MANAGER: Kaylyn Nichols

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER: Athan Marzen

COMPANY REHEARSAL ASSISTANT: Fidel E. Orrillo

REHEARSAL ASSISTANTS: Lydia Marbach, Samantha Howe, Katherine Duffy Deming, Adam Kittelberger, Anna Turani

HOLIDAY SPONSOR:

We kindly ask you to please silence all cellphones and electronic devices. Also, please note that photography and video recordings are prohibited during the performance.

CONNECT WITH US:

PROGRAM NOTES

ABOUT THE NUTCRACKER

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) was commissioned to write the music for The Nutcracker in 1891. Originally based on the E.T.A Hoffman novel The Nutcracker and the King of Mice, The Nutcracker ballet debuted in St. Petersburg on December 17, 1892 and has gone on to become one of the most popular holiday spectacles.

ACT I

It is Christmas Eve, and Dr. and Frau Stahlbaum hold a large party. Their children, Clara and Fritz, await their friends’ arrival. Mysterious Uncle Drosselmeyer arrives and interrupts the festivities with the “Spirit of Christmas” and other magical gifts, including a toy Nutcracker for Clara. Later that night, Clara returns to the drawing room to fetch her Nutcracker and soon falls asleep with it beside her. Suddenly, the room is invaded by mice. Clara’s toy soldiers come to life, and the Nutcracker turns into a soldier who battles the mice. Victorious, with Clara’s help, the Nutcracker transforms into a prince who invites Clara to the Kingdom of Sweets. During the journey, they pass through a snow-covered forest.

ACT II

In the Kingdom of Sweets, Clara and her Prince are welcomed by the Sugar Plum Fairy, who presents a grand celebration in Clara’s honor. The sweets of many nations entertain them: Spanish Chocolate, Chinese Tea, Arabian Coffee, and French Mints. The celebration culminates with the Sugar Plum Fairy’s romantic pas de deux with her Cavalier. Following a reprise, Clara and her Prince must go. Amid wistful goodbyes, they leave the magical land.

ARTISTS

ABOUT ROCHESTER CITY BALLET

Rochester City Ballet (RCB) is excited to return again to our annual holiday collaboration with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra! RCB’s mission is to create inspiring, entertaining, and educational experiences through the art of dance while providing the highest level of artistic and technical excellence. RCB is a professional ballet company that brings the best of traditional classical ballet and innovative contemporary performances to audiences in Rochester and throughout Upstate New York.

Rochester City Ballet’s rich history began in 1987 when it was founded by Timothy M. Draper as a student-based company. Upon the death of its founder in 2003, RCB contracted professional dancers, achieving status as the only professional ballet company in Western New York. In July 2010, RCB presented its first New York City season and in July 2013, Jacobs Pillow Dance Festival selected RCB to perform in the Inside/Out series. The company has become a nationally significant dance company and a cherished cultural institution in the Finger Lakes region.

From classical to contemporary, cutting edge to theatrical, Rochester City Ballet is an eclectic and versatile company that offers something for everyone. The repertoire ranges from full-length, classical canonical works, such as Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Firebird, Cinderella, and Paquita, to masterworks by renowned choreographers including George Balanchine, Salvatore Aiello, and Gerald Arpino. In addition, RCB regularly commissions original works by established and emerging choreographers, including commissioning choreographers from among the RCB roster of artists.

Each and every child deserves to experience the joy of dance. RCB is committed to making dance accessible through its educational and community outreach, with programming in the Rochester City School District, Boys & Girls Club, Mary Cariola Center, community centers, colleges, and specially produced sensory friendly productions that allow families with special needs to experience the joy of live dance.

RCB STAFF AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2025-2026 SEASON

STAFF

Artistic Director: Shannon Purpura

Artistic Director: Megan Kamler

Development Director: Katherine Duffy Deming

Company Manager: Jaimee Hauck

Head of Wardrobe: Deena Rodriguez

Photographers: Erich Camping, Thomas Rodriguez

ASL Interpreter: Brittany Benson

Stage Manager: Kaylyn Nichols

Company Rehearsal Assistant: Fidel E. Orrillo

Rehearsal Assistants:

Lydia Marbach, Samantha Howe, Katherine Duffy Deming, Adam Kittelberger, Anna Turani

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Katherine Rogala (Chair)

Thomas R. Rodriguez (Vice Chair)

Thomas Rhett Pinckney (Secretary)

Jennifer Lega (Treasurer)

Daniel Barney, RPA-C

Jill Zabinski-Berne

Paul Irving, Esq.

William J. Sheeran

Jennifer Zager

CAST

ACT ONE

THE PARTY SCENE:

MAID ............................................................................................................................................................................ Kristen Wegman

CLARA ............................................................................................................................ Anna Shin (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm) Emmie Whyte (Fri 7pm / Sat 2pm / Sun 2pm)

FRITZ ...................................................................................................................... Marko Koković (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm) Julian Shand (Fri 7pm / Sat 2pm / Sun 2pm)

FRAU STAHLBAUM .........................................................................................................Elizabeth Pinel (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 2pm) Samantha Goodelle (Fri 7pm / Sat 7pm / Sun 2pm)

DR. STAHLBAUM ............................................................................................................................................... Thomas Montgomery

PARTY CHILDREN ........................................................ Evie Kocher, Maddy Osborne, Gabriella Pellegrino, McKenna Peschken, Lola Rosal, Winona Rose, Sophia Thackray, Eloise Kowal (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm), Ava Kehm (Fri 7pm / Sat 2pm / Sun 2pm), Kelsey Bauman (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm), Alison Makovec (Fri 7pm / Sat 2pm / Sun 2pm), Lindsey Schoen (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm), Catherine D’Angelo (Fri 7pm / Sat 2pm / Sun 2pm), Lucia Doolittle (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm), Olivia Sprouse (Fri 7pm / Sat 2pm / Sun 2pm), Jana Minsterman (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm), Eva Straub (Fri 7pm / Sat 2pm / Sun 2pm)

PARTY PARENTS.....................................................Michael Gauss, Caren Gellin, Alan Jonason, Brian Persons, Rhett Pinckney, Melissa Sanchez, Bryant Shin, Denitza Straub, Jack Taylor, Whitney Thackray, Allison Thomashefski, Alexandra Wlostowski

HERR DROSSELMEYER ................................................................................................................................................... Fidel E. Orillo

MAGICAL DOLLS ..................................................................................................................................................... Adam Kittelberger Emily Jonason (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm) Agnieszka Rynkowski (Fri 7pm / Sat 2pm / Sun 2pm)

HARLEQUIN DOLL............................................................................................. Marlena Roberts (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm) Abigail Jacobs (Fri 7pm / Sat 2pm / Sun 2pm)

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT ........................................................................................................ Samantha Goodelle (Fri 2pm / Sat 2pm) Lydia Marbach (Wed 7pm / Sat 7pm) Elizabeth Pinel (Fri 7pm / Sun 2pm )

HOLLY ELF ....................................................................................................................................................................... Marko Koković

THE BATTLE SCENE:

NUTCRACKER PRINCE ......................................................................................................................................................... Kai Furuta

MOUSE KING ................................................................................................................................................................... Lukas Figliozzi

TREE PRESENTS ....................................................................................................................................................... Annabelle Barney Branwen Hull Emily Righter

MICE.............................. Katelyn Bauman, Adelaide Burleigh, Sasha Campbell, Olivia Enderle, Joseph Gregoire, Lorelei Miller, Emily Batcheldor (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm), Kinley Comerford (Fri 7pm / Sat 2pm / Sun 2pm), Nina Handley (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm), Kensley Biscaro (Fri 7pm / Sat 2pm / Sun 2pm)

SOLDIERS ......................... Annabelle Barney, Annabelle Glocker, Branwen Hull, Natalie Lappas, Emily Righter, Julian Shand, Elsa Nolan (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm), Madison Eva Hofford (Fri 7pm / Sat 2pm / Sun 2pm), Molly Rich (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm), Sofia Bonafonte (Fri 7pm / Sat 2pm / Sun 2pm),

CANNON PUSHER .................................................................................................................................................................................... Lola Rosal Sophia Thackray

CAST

LAND OF SNOWFLAKES:

SNOW KING .................................................................................................... Adam Kittelberger (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm) John Deming (Fri 7pm / Sat 2pm / Sun 2pm)

SNOW QUEEN .................................................................................................... Samantha Howe (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm) Katherine Duffy Deming (Fri 7pm / Sat 2pm / Sun 2pm)

SNOWFLAKES ............. Sophia Barnard DeCann, Killian Beck, Lillian Gauss, Amelia Glocker, Riley Hammond, Emily Jonason, Summer Kroll, Katelyn Ramirez, Agnieska Rynkowski, Vittoria Santonastaso, Kate Shin, Emily Talledo, Gabby Wilson, Mia Worthington, Morgan Green (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm), Paige Schaffer (Fri 7pm / Sat 2pm / Sun 2pm), Sienna Mermagen (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm), Skylar DeVore (Fri 7pm / Sat 2pm / Sun 2pm)

ACT TWO

THE KINGDOM OF SWEETS:

ARCHANGELS ............. Natalie Lappas (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm), Adelaide Burleigh (Fri 7pm / Sat 2pm / Sun 2pm), Sasha Campbell (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm), Branwen Hull (Fri 7pm / Sat 2pm / Sun 2pm), Alexis Post (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm), Annabelle Barney (Fri 7pm / Sat 2pm / Sun 2pm), Sofia Bonafonte (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm), Ajna Green (Fri 7pm / Sat 2pm / Sun 2pm), Saanvi Barat (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm), Emily Batcheldor (Fri 7pm / Sat 2pm / Sun 2pm), Madison Eva Hofford (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm), Elsa Nolan (Fri 7pm / Sat 2pm / Sun 2pm)

LEAD ANGELS ................................ Kensley Biscaro, Leela Brush, Sarafina Carlo, Marissa Frosino, Margaret May, Violet Richter, Kamea Johnson (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm), Kya Bach (Fri 7pm / Sat 2pm / Sun 2pm), Eleanor Grailer (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm), Arwyn Fox (Fri 7pm / Sat 2pm / Sun 2pm)

CHERUBIM ...................... (CAST A) June Banning, Teagan Baxter, Maggie Chamberlain, Allison Cornell, Catherine D’Angelo, Chloe Daniel, Addison Dudley, Adrianna Dugo, Magnolia Eason, Aurora Fox, August Herter, Peyton Kendall, Vivian Prevosti, Avery Sabocheck, Noelle Thackray, Vivienne Velarde, Clara Moore-Watson, Willa Moore-Watson

CHERUBIM ........................ (CAST B) Karalyn Arnold, Isabella Beale, Sophia Bays, Sofia Caracci, Mae Cartier, Adriana Cattat, Catherine D’Angelo, Abigail Deutchki, Finley Frey, Eleanor Hanford, Emmaline Huntone, Tirzah Johnson, Molly Keenan, Alivia Kennedy, Quinlan McGarry, Jovie Morgan, Lylah Nutting, Annora Odrzywolski

CHERUBIM ........................ (CAST C) Isabella Beale, Sophia Bays, Asia Brunette, Mae Cartier, Adriana Cattat, Mia DeCamilla, Abigail Deutchki, Finley Frey, Eleanor Hanford, Emmaline Huntone, Claire Johnson, Alivia Kennedy, Aria Lekich, Kennedy McKechney, Jovie Morgan, Lylah Nutting, Noelle Thackray, Annora Odrzywolski

CAST A: Wed 7pm / Sat 2pm

CAST B: Fri 7pm / Sun 2pm

CAST C: Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm

HOLLY SPRITES ........................................ (CAST A) Lyla Daniel, Mabel Grailer, Lillian Herter, Annie Kocher, Sophie McIntosh, Nolan Minsterman, Madison Murajda, Charlotte Pinckney, Norah Porter, Aja Ross, Norah Simpson, Bryce Sprouse, Lorali Taylor, Amelie Yamaoda

HOLLY SPRITES ...................................................... (CAST B) Zoe Chung, Alise Davis, Nellie Kelsey, Harper Levin, Stella Licata, Sophie McIntosh, Ayla Olles, Elliott Panda, Olivia Piano, Norah Porter, Norah Simpson, Evangeline Stanford, Lorali Taylor, Rory Tredwell

HOLLY SPRITES ....................... (CAST C) Madelyn Bonno, Addison DeFranco Sander, Mary Frances Finneran, Isabella Irving, Isla Istvan, Quetzalli Jimenez, Amani Metras, Clara O’Neil, Maggie Peets, Ema Porras, Kai Cohen-Ross, Crowley Ross, Mila Sekaz, Eleanor Schultz

CAST A: Wed 7pm / Sat 2pm

CAST B: Fri 7pm / Sun 2pm

CAST C: Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm

LEAD PAGES

(CAST A)

7pm, Fri 7pm, Sat 2pm

CAST

PAGES (CAST A) ......................Johnny Banning, Hudson Baxter, Arabella Crosby, Liliana Dudley, Emersyn Ficicchia-Horvath, Hazel Grailer, Savannah Johnson, Evelyn Kemp, Zoe Murajda, Corinne Pinckney, Lincoln Velarde

PAGES (CAST B) ......................... Harper Acomb, Maren Croix, Darcy Rae Dicks, Emersyn Ficicchia-Horvath, Brooks Hartford, Seraphina Keith, Lucy Nicholson, Ashleigh Reynolds, Amelia Thomashefski, Summer Warren

CAST A: Wed 7pm, Fri 7pm, Sat 2pm CAST B: Fri 2pm, Sat 7pm, Sun 2pm

LEAD SPANISH................................................................................................................................................................. Lukas Figliozzi Marlena Roberts (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm) Lydia Marbach (Fri 7pm / Sat 2pm / Sun 2pm)

SPANISH CORPS ...............................................................................Lillian Gauss, Summer Kroll, Katelyn Ramirez, Emily Talledo, Amelia Glocker (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm), Mia Worthington (Fri 7pm / Sat 2pm / Sun 2pm), Gabby Wilson (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm), Sienna Mermagen (Fri 7pm / Sat 2pm / Sun 2pm)

ENGLISH TOFFEE................................................................................................ Samantha Howe (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm) Marlena Roberts (Fri 7pm / Sat 2pm / Sun 2pm)

CHINESE TEA ................................................................................................................................................................... Jessica Bealer

CHINESE CORPS .................................................................................... Skylar DeVore, Morgan Green, Lia Kessler, Paige Schaffer, Kinley Comerford (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm), Alexis Post (Fri 7pm / Sat 2pm / Sun 2pm), Lilah Mondello (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm), Arabella Murphy (Fri 7pm / Sat 2pm / Sun 2pm)

RUSSIAN TREPAK ......................................................................................................................................... Paulo Hernandez-Farella

ARABIAN COFFEE..... Jared Allan-Brunson (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm), Lily Janneck (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm), Thomas Montgomery (Fri 7pm / Sat 2pm / Sun 2pm), Anna Turani (Fri 7pm / Sat 2pm / Sun 2pm)

ARABIAN CORPS ................................................. Saanvi Barat, Sofia Bonafonte, Leela Brush, Nina Handley, Adrianna Hatfield, Margaret May, Sadie Avalon Miller, Molly Rich

FRENCH MINTS ................................ Riley Hammond, Emily Jonason, Agnieszka Rynkowski, Vittoria Santonastaso, Kate Shin

GINGER BABIES ........... Sarafina Carlo, Emma Clausen, Dominique Espada, Marissa Frosino, Annabelle Glocker, Evie Kocher, Gabriella Pellegrino, Emily Righter, Lola Rosal, Winona Rose, Sophia Thackray, Brenn Thomas

MOTHER GINGER......................................................................................................................................................... Melissa Sanchez

DEW DROP FAIRY .................................................................................................. Megan Kamler (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm) Samantha Howe (Fri 7pm / Sat 2pm / Sun 2pm)

FLOWERS ................................. Jessica Bealer, Abigail Jacobs, Lydia Marbach, Anna Turani, Elizabeth Pinel, Marlena Roberts, Samantha Goodelle, Katherine Duffy Deming (Fri 7pm / Sat 2pm / Sun 2pm), Samantha Howe (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm)

SUGAR PLUM FAIRY ............................................................................. Katherine Duffy Deming (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm) Megan Kamler (Fri 7pm / Sat 2pm / Sun 2pm)

CAVALIER ..................................................................................................................

John Deming (Wed 7pm / Fri 2pm / Sat 7pm) Jared Allan Brunson (Fri 7pm / Sat 2pm / Sun 2pm)

ROSE WALTZ FINALE ............................................................................................................................................................ Entire Cast

Children appear courtesy of The School of Rochester City Ballet and the following schools and studios: Alaina Visalli Dance Company, Articul8, Ashford Dance Company, A Time for Dance, A Touch of Dance, Dance Connection, Dancletics of Rochester, DCT Company, Dimensions in Dance, DK Dance Studio, Dunwoody Dance 5678, Dynamic Dance Studio, Elite Studio of Dance, Finger Lakes Ballet Academy, Fitzsimmons Dance Factory, Genesee Dance Theatre, Hochstein, Jeannie’s Dance Connection, Katie Elizabeth School of Dance, KE Dance, Krystal’s Dance Centre, LAW Dance Studio, Leap of Faith Dance Studio, Legacy Dance Academy, Little Red Dance Studio, Macedon Conservatory of Dance, Marilyn Schneider School of Dance, Miss Natale’s Dance Centre, Odasz Dance Theatre, Patty Flowerday School of Dance, Premier Dance Center, Raise the Barre, Stilla Dance, St. Peter’s Community Arts Academy, The Dancing Place Dance Academy, The Turning Pointe Dance Studio, Timothy M. Draper Center for Dance Education, Toeprints Dance Studio, Sea Her Shine, Spins Dance Studio, Strike it Up Artistic Center, Studio East Dance Company, Studio K Dance and Fitness, Studio 19 Dance Company, TNT Dance Explosion

ARTISTS

TARA SIMONCIC, conductor

Groundbreaking conductor Tara Simoncic was the first woman to conduct the prestigious American Ballet Theatre in the company’s 85-year history. She is known for her unique connection with musicians and audience members, bringing passion, warmth, and clarity to every performance.

Ms. Simoncic regularly appears with the world’s most renowned companies. In 2016, she made her debut with the New York City Ballet conducting Balanchine’s Nutcracker. Since then, she stepped in at the last minute to conduct the world premiere of Standard Deviation at Lincoln Center in 2023. She also toured twice with the NYC Ballet to the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

She has been the conductor of the Flexible Orchestra, a contemporary ensemble in New York City, since 2003 where she works closely with composers to champion new works specifically written for the group. She has recently guest conducted the Portland Symphony, the Bridge Musik Chamber Orchestra, Camerata Nova at The Manhattan School of Music, and Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de México.

Ms. Simoncic is currently in her sixth season as Music Director of the Louisville Ballet. This fall marked her third season conducting one of New York City’s most beloved modern dance companies, the Paul Taylor Dance Company, with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s at Lincoln Center. She has served as Music Director of Ballet West in Salt Lake City and has been a recurring guest conductor with the New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, San Francisco Ballet, Teatro Colón’s Ballet Estable, Cincinnati Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, and the Compañia Nacional de Danza in Madrid.

This season, she is thrilled to make debuts with the Joffrey Ballet, Orquestra Jovem do Estado of São Paulo, and the Houston Ballet.

Ms. Simoncic has a Bachelor’s degree in Trumpet Performance from the New England Conservatory, a Master’s of Music in Orchestral Conducting from Northwestern University, and a Professional Studies Diploma in Orchestral Conducting from the Manhattan School of Music. In 2011, she received the Bruno Walter Scholarship Award to study with Marin Alsop at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music.

TARA SIMONCIC TINA GUTIERREZ

ARTISTS

SHANNON PURPURA, artistic director

Shannon Purpura received her dance training in Rochester, NY. In high school, she performed alongside RCB in notable roles that include Lead Spanish Hot Chocolate in The Nutcracker, Daniel Gwirtzman’s Encore, and George Balanchine’s Serenade. After training, Ms. Purpura attended the University of Arizona on scholarship where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance after just two and a half years. While at the University of Arizona, she performed River North Dance Chicago’s Evolution of a Dream, George Balanchine’s Rubies, Ernie Flatt’s Firebird, as well as many soloist roles in works by Michael Williams and James Clouser. Following graduation, Ms. Purpura returned to Rochester to join the RCB, as a company member, in 2015. Since joining RCB, she has performed soloist roles such as “Dew Drop Fairy”, “English Toffee”, “Chinese Tea”, “Christmas Spirit”, “Harlequin,” and “Spanish Hot Chocolate” in The Nutcracker. Contemporary works include Jamey Leverett’s featured soloist in My Songs Plead Softly, Images, Katarzyna Skarpetowska’s Terminus, Salvatore Aiello’s The Waiting Room, and David Palmer’s Rite of Spring. She has also performed leading roles in Robert Gardner’s Carmen as Carmen, The Sleeping Beauty as Carabosse, David Palmer’s Under the Moonlight: A Tribute to David Bowie.

In August 2023, Shannon and Megan Kamler were announced as the Artistic Directors of Rochester City Ballet. Since then, Ms. Purpura has choreographed numerous works for Rochester City Ballet including “Peter & the Wolf” which premiered with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra in January 2024. In April 2024, Shannon was commissioned by the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra to create works for the Eclipse Spectacular: Symphonic Celebration performance at the Blue Cross Arena.

Shannon Purpura serves as the Executive Director of Rochester City Ballet, appointed to the role in June 2025 after leading the company as Artistic Director since August 2023. With experience in both creative and executive leadership, she brings a holistic vision to RCB—guiding its artistic programming, educational outreach, and long-term strategic development. Her dual experience ensures a strong bridge between RCB’s artistic integrity and its community-focused mission.

MEGAN KAMLER, artistic director

Ms. Kamler joined Rochester City Ballet in 2011 after receiving her training at the Timothy M. Draper Center for Dance Education and the University of Arizona where she earned her BFA in Dance. She received additional training at the National Ballet School of Canada summer intensive on scholarship and the summer intensives of Ballet Austin and the Ellison Training Program in New York City.

While at the University of Arizona she performed highlighted roles such as Choleric in Balanchine’s Four Temperaments, Big Swan in Swan Lake, and the Friend in Carmina Burana. Following her college graduation she was invited to perform with Art.if.act Dance in an 18 city tour of China.

With the Rochester City Ballet she has performed as the Maid, Harlequin, English Toffee, Magical Doll, Dew Drop, Snow Queen, and Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, Anna in The Blood Countess, Cinderella in Cinderella, Princess Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, and Elegy Girl and Waltz Girl in Balanchine’s Serenade. Contemporary roles with RCB include Jamey Leverett’s 4Play, New York CityScapes, Bravo! Colorado, and InCantation, The Ugly Duckling by Jimmy Orrante, Slightly Sinful by Danny Rosseel, The Summer of Love and The Rite of Spring by David Palmer, and Bach de Trois by Nikolai Kabaniev.

Megan’s choreographic works include a debut on the Rochester City Ballet with her piece titled So On, and So Forth, and a commissioned piece by the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra for their Eclipse Spectacular: Symphonic Celebration performance at the Blue Cross Arena in April 2024. More recently in May 2025, she choreographed her first full length story ballet Anastasia: A Ballet Reimagined alongside Shannon Purpura.

SHANNON PURPURA MEGAN KAMLER

ARTISTS

JOHN DEMING, ballet master

John is a Rochester, New York native. He received his training at the Draper Center for Dance Education and later the Boston Ballet as a trainee on a full scholarship.

After leaving Boston, John joined the Carolina Ballet in Raleigh, North Carolina under the direction of Robert Weiss. While in Raleigh he danced in numerous ballets such as Romeo & Juliet, Sleeping Beauty, Four Seasons, The Nutcracker, as well as George Balanchine’s Rubies and Brahms Schoenberg Quartet.

In 2014, John joined Ballet Memphis. While in Memphis John performed soloist and principal roles such as Benvolio & Romeo in Steven McMahon’s production of Romeo & Juliet, Harlequin, Nutcracker Prince & Spanish Chocolate in Steven McMahon’s The Nutcracker. John also worked with many choreographers from around the country such as Matthew Neenan, Jennifer Archibald, Mark Godden, Reggie Wilson, Gabrielle Lamb, and Uri Sands.

In 2018 John was contracted by Rochester City Ballet. In his 5 years in Rochester he has been cast in classical and neoclassical ballets by David Palmer, Julia Erickson, George Balanchine, Robert Gardner, Salvatore Aiello, Jimmy Orante and Jared Brunson. Additionally dancing principal roles in some of the most classic ballets such as Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Firebird and Raymonda Suites. John is currently Company Dancer and Ballet Master with Rochester City Ballet, and School Director of the School of Rochester City Ballet.

TIMOTHY DRAPER, founder, choreographer (1954-2003)

Timothy Draper began his training in Rochester, New York under the tutelage of Olive McCue with Mercury Ballet and Kathleen Crofton with the Festival Ballet of New York. He pursued his dance education in New York City with the Joffrey School of Ballet, Harkness House of Ballet Arts, and Steps followed by an extensive performance career with Israel Ballet, the Puerto Rican Dance Theatre, and Les Ballet Trockadero de Monte Carlo.

After serving as Ballet Master of Dance Miami and Co-Director of Fort Lauderdale Ballet, Mr. Draper returned to Rochester with a passion for dance excellence and a vision for creating both a school with world class instruction and a permanent ballet company for the Rochester community.

Timothy Draper’s dream in 1987 evolved into the Rochester City Ballet of today. With his guidance and expertise, RCB grew from modest beginnings to now delighting thousands of viewers at their annual collaboration with the RPO of The Nutcracker, and has presented performances throughout central and western New York.

JOHN DEMING TIMOTHY DRAPER

RCB COMPANY DANCERS

JOHN DEMING

JOINED RCB: 2018

FAVORITE ROLE TO PERFORM: SPANISH HOT CHOCOLATE

KATHERINE DUFFY DEMING

JOINED RCB: 2017

FAVORITE ROLE TO PERFORM: SNOW QUEEN

SAMANTHA HOWE

JOINED RCB: 2021

FAVORITE ROLE TO PERFORM: SNOW QUEEN

MEGAN KAMLER

JOINED RCB: 2011

FAVORITE ROLE TO PERFORM: THE MAID & DEW DROP FAIRY

ADAM KITTELBERGER

JOINED RCB: 2005

FAVORITE ROLE TO PERFORM: SNOW KING

LYDIA MARBACH

JOINED RCB: 2017

FAVORITE ROLE TO PERFORM: WALTZ OF THE FLOWERS

SHANNON PURPURA

JOINED RCB: 2014

FAVORITE ROLE TO PERFORM: DEW DROP FAIRY

ANNA TURANI

JOINED RCB: 2022

FAVORITE ROLE TO PERFORM: ARABIAN COFFEE

RCB APPRENTICES

SAMANTHA GOODELLE

ABIGAIL JACOBS

LILY JANNECK

THOMAS MONTGOMERY

ELIZABETH PINEL

MARLENA ROBERTS

RCB JUNIOR APPRENTICES

SOPHIA BARNARD-DECANN

JESSICA BEALER

*COMPANY HEADSHOTS BY ERICH CAMPING

ARTISTS

KARLA KROGSTAD,

founder and director

Karla Krogstad earned degrees in piano performance and music theory from the New England Conservatory of Music, the University of Connecticut, and the Eastman School of Music. Before founding the Bach Children’s Chorus in 1988, Ms. Krogstad taught piano privately and was organist and choir director of the Genesee Baptist Church in Rochester. More recently, she has focused her professional activities to specialize in child pedagogy. She is an active composer and arranger for children’s voices and is certified in the Orff method of teaching.

Ms. Krogstad has received the “Friend of Foreign Language” and “Culture Through the Arts” awards from the New York State Association of Foreign Language teachers for her work with children in various languages. She has conducted the Bach Children’s Chorus in such diverse works as Carmina Burana of Carl Orff, the Waltz of the Snowflakes from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, and the War Requiem of Benjamin Britten. Ms. Krogstad was honored with the 2024–25 RPO Musicians’ Award for Outstanding Music Educators. For Bach Children’s Chorus audition information, please contact: bachkidsusa@yahoo.com.

THE BACH CHILDREN’S CHORUS OF ROCHESTER

The Bach Children’s Chorus (BCC), in residence at the Kanack School of Musical Artistry, is Western New York’s premier children’s classical music vocal ensemble. The girls and boys in the Chorus range in age from 5 to 14. Founded by its current director, Karla Krogstad, in 1989, the BCC has continued in its traditions and standards of excellence for over 36 years. The BCC has performed annually in the Nutcracker Ballet with the RPO for over 25 years. Also with the RPO, the Chorus has sung in Carmina Burana, and in Howard Hanson’s opera “Merry Mount”, performed both in Eastman Theatre and Carnegie Hall in 2014. For audition information, please contact: bachkidsusa@yahoo.com.

Bach Children’s Chorus

In residence at Kanack School of Musical Artistry

Karla Krogstad, founder and music director

Angelina Batz

Breanna Cohen

Lucy Cohen

Eva Doyle

Luz Greenman

Michelle Han

Stephen Han

Katelyn Hodges

Ivy Justice

Andrew Kapusta

Joseph Koczot

Asher Lou-Weaver

Nora Lou-Weaver

Barbara Mittal

Teagan O’Connor

Lilliana Palermo

Liam Palermo

David Park

Chiara Rucci

Francesco Rucci

Noa Schlagman

Jay Schreiber

Pascal Schreiber

Quinten Schreiber

Amalia Vaillancourt

Eli Vaillancourt

Leora Vaillancourt

Emmett Xu

KARLA KROGSTAD

Maria Fuller, conductor Hannah Reich, mezzo soprano

NIKOLAI “Dance of the Buffoons” from Snow Maiden 3:00 RIMSKY-KORSAKOV

STEPHEN FLAHERTY Once Upon a December from Anastasia 3:50 Hannah Reich, mezzo soprano

M. LEONTOVICH Carol of the Metallic Bells 3:00 (ARR. MARIA FULLER)

FELIX BERNARD Winter Wonderland 4:00 (RALPH HERMANN)

TRADITIONAL What Child is This? 5:00 (ARR. MARIA FULLER) Hannah Reich, mezzo soprano

LI HUANZHI Spring Festival Overture 4:00

TRADITIONAL Hannukah, O Hannukah 4:00 (ARR. MARIA FULLER)

LEROY ANDERSON Sleigh Ride 3:00

ROBERT & KRISTEN Music from Frozen 7:00 ANDERSON LOPEZ (ARR. BOB KROGSTAD) SUN DEC 7 2 PM HOCHSTEIN PERFORMANCE HALL

ORKIDSTRA: FROSTY IN SNOWLAND

SERIES

SPONSORS: LENORE P. LESSER IN LOVING MEMORY OF

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ARTISTS

MARIA FULLER, conductor

Canadian Conductor Maria Fuller is recognized for her dynamic energy, precision, and versatility as a conductor, pianist, trumpeter, vocal coach, as well as an award-winning composer, and sought after arranger. Maria is the Founding Music Director of Ammolite Opera, Calgary, with whom in two seasons she has received four nominations from the Betty Mitchell Awards. Highlights from last season include conducting operatic and ballet productions at the Teatr Wielki w Łodzi, Poland, being selected by Yannick Nézet-Séguin to work with him and the Orchestre Métropolitan, and assisting in Prague at the Narodní Divadlo as a Finalist Prize from the 11th Grzegorz Fitelberg International Conducting Competition. For the 25/26 season, Maria is Assistant Conductor with the Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège, Belgium. Maria looks forward to the world premier of her oratorio “The Christmas Messiah” with Ammolite Opera this December.

HANNAH REICH, mezzo soprano

Hannah Reich is a mezzo-soprano originally from Atlanta, GA now based in Rochester, NY. This year, she made her debut with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra performing Eric Whitacre’s Goodnight Moon in the Storytime in Your PJs OrKIDstra concert, and appeared as a Fellow with the Castleton Vocal Immersion Program in Castleton, VA. Last season, Hannah returned to the Seagle Festival in Schroon Lake, NY, as both an Emerging Artist and Fall Season Artist. There, she performed the roles of Ruby in Jennifer Higdon’s Cold Mountain, the Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd, and appeared in over twenty-five community performances as Alan in the children’s opera Dragon’s Breath. A recent graduate of the Eastman School of Music, Hannah earned her Master of Music in Voice Performance and Literature, along with a Certificate in Arts Leadership. At Eastman, she performed the roles of Soeur Mathilde in Dialogues des Carmélites, the Sorceress in Dido and Aeneas, and cover for Der Komponist in Ariadne auf Naxos. Previous credits include Dido (Dido and Aeneas), Hansel (Hansel und Gretel), Miss Todd (The Old Maid and the Thief), Rosine (Signor Deluso), Mrs. McLean (Susannah), and Maria (The Sound of Music). Hannah was awarded first place in the Rome Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition, was a National Semifinalist in the NATS Competition, and a twotime finalist in the Atlanta Opera Scholarship Guild Competition. Hannah currently serves as the Executive Assistant/Office Manager at the RPO. Coming up, she is excited to join Sarasota Opera in January as an Apprentice Artist for the 2026 Winter Season.

MARIA FULLER

HANNAH REICH

7:30 PM

KODAK HALL AT EASTMAN THEATRE

Jason Michael Paul, executive producer Kevin Zakresky, music director and principal conductor

JEREMY SOULE Heroes Opening from 0:49 (ORCH. BY ROBERT PUFF) The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion

NIGEL CARRINGTON Narration Intro 0:46

DEAR ESTHER

JESSICA CURRY (ORCH. BY ANDY BRICK)

NIGEL CARRINGTON Chapter 01 - Call to Adventure 0:31

DEAR ESTHER

JESSICA CURRY (ORCH. BY ANDY BRICK)

GARETH COCKER Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown 4:46 (ORCH. BY VICENT TOBAR)

NIGEL CARRINGTON Refusal of the Call 0:46

DEAR ESTHER

JESSICA CURRY (ORCH. BY ANDY BRICK)

JACK WALL Mass Effect 4:46 (ORCH. BY ROBERT PUFF)

NIGEL CARRINGTON Supernatural Aid 0:50

DEAR ESTHER

JESSICA CURRY (ORCH. BY ANDY BRICK)

BORISLAV SLAVOV Baldur’s Gate 3 - Main Theme 2:47 (ORCH. BY GEORGI ANDREEV)

NIGEL CARRINGTON The Crossing of the First Threshold 0:43

DEAR ESTHER

JESSICA CURRY (ORCH. BY ANDY BRICK)

GARRY SCHYMAN Bioshock 4:57 (ORCH. BY ROBERT PUFF)

NIGEL CARRINGTON The Belly of the Whale 1:05

DEAR ESTHER

JESSICA CURRY (ORCH. BY ANDY BRICK)

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HEROES: A VIDEO GAME SYMPHONY

KODAK HALL AT EASTMAN THEATRE

Jason Michael Paul, executive producer Kevin Zakresky, music director and principal conductor

RUSSELL BROWER DEREK DUKE

(ORCH. BY ARUTO MATSUMOTO)

NIGEL CARRINGTON The Road of Trials 0:51 DEAR ESTHER

JESSICA CURRY (ORCH. BY ANDY BRICK)

JESPER KYD Assassin’s Creed: Ezio’s Family Theme 4:56 (ORCH. BY BENOIT GREY)

NIGEL

JESSICA CURRY

(ORCH. BY ANDY BRICK)

JESSICA CURRY

(ORCH. BY ANDY BRICK) MIKE MORASKY Portal 2 Variations 5:06

J.S. BACH

(ORCH. BY GEOFF KNORR, AND ANDY BRICK)

We kindly ask you to please silence all cellphones and electronic devices. Also, please note that photography and video recordings are prohibited during the performance.

DEC 12 7:30 PM

KODAK HALL AT EASTMAN THEATRE

Jason Michael Paul, executive producer Kevin Zakresky, music director and principal conductor

NIGEL CARRINGTON Atonement with the Father 0:47

DEAR ESTHER

JESSICA CURRY (ORCH. BY ANDY BRICK)

HARRY GREGSON- Metal Gear Solid IV 4:34 WILLIAMS NOBUKO TODA (ORCH. BY SHOTA NAKAMA)

NIGEL CARRINGTON Apotheosis 0:51 DEAR ESTHER

JESSICA CURRY (ORCH. BY ANDY BRICK)

JASON HAYES World of Warcraft 5:03 (ORCH. BY ADAM KLEMENS)

NIGEL CARRINGTON The Ultimate Boon 0:48

DEAR ESTHER

JESSICA CURRY (ORCH. BY ANDY BRICK)

INON ZUR Starfield 7:02 (ORCH. BY PAUL D. TAYLOR)

NIGEL CARRINGTON Refusal of the Return 0:44 DEAR ESTHER

JESSICA CURRY (ORCH. BY ANDY BRICK)

INON ZUR Dragon Age 4:15 (ORCH. BY PAUL D. TAYLOR)

NIGEL CARRINGTON The Magic Flight 0:36 DEAR ESTHER

JESSICA CURRY (ORCH. BY ANDY BRICK)

KINUYO YAMASHITA Castlevania Medley 4:19

MASAHIRO IKARIKO MICHIRU YAMANE

OSCAR ARAUJO (ORCH. BY C. SEITER)

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HEROES: A VIDEO GAME SYMPHONY

KODAK HALL AT EASTMAN THEATRE

JESSICA CURRY (ORCH. BY ANDY BRICK) KOW

Jason Michael Paul, executive producer Kevin Zakresky, music director and principal conductor

BRICK)

TAYLOR)

JESSICA CURRY (ORCH. BY ANDY BRICK)

JESSICA CURRY (ORCH. BY ANDY BRICK)

We kindly ask you to please silence all cellphones and electronic devices. Also, please note that photography and video recordings are prohibited during the performance.

ARTISTS

JASON MICHAEL PAUL, executive producer

A pioneer and leader in the live symphonic concert industry, Jason Michael Paul produces concerts for leading international artists, including a series of live symphonic concerts that make music come to life.

International concert events include:

Dear Friends – Music from FINAL FANTASY

More Friends – Music from FINAL FANTASY

PLAY! A Video Game Symphony rePLAY: Symphony of Heroes

The Legend of Zelda – 25th Anniversary Concerts The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses National Geographic: Symphony for Our World Heroes: A Video Game Symphony Picasso Symphony

Jason Michael Paul – the producer and creator of the first stateside FINAL FANTASY concerts, The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary concerts, The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses concerts, and Founder of JMP Entertainment – envisioned the “Heroes” experience to take audience members on a heroes journey, as set forth by Joseph Campbell’s monomyth – a narrative framework that can be seen in many of the games, film, and books throughout history. Each stage in the monomyth is a chapter in our story, and each game/musical selection was chosen primarily for its suitability in the chapter where it is featured. Everyone’s story is the story of a hero, told through the amazing worlds of other heroes, in an unforgettable experience that is not to be missed.

JMP Entertainment is celebrating its 21st anniversary since its inaugural video game music concert series with Dear Friends: Music from FINAL FANTASY; Paul has produced over 300 video game music concerts since the inaugural stateside performance in 2004. A seasoned concert producer who is known for staging concerts worldwide for notable artists such as Luciano Pavarotti and the Three Tenors, Paul realized that if philharmonic regulars set aside their preconceived notions about gaming culture, they could appreciate the rich musical virtuosity and magic of video game soundtracks.

His vision was spot-on, and he has created a global phenomenon over the past two decades. “It’s beyond wonderful to celebrate our 20th anniversary with this unparalleled ‘Heroes’ concert series,” notes Paul. “The narrative of the Hero is so fundamental to our human experience, and these incredible video games symphonic pieces bring that rich tapestry to life.”

For the “Heroes” concert series, a 70-piece orchestra will be joined by a choir to perform new arrangements of a variety of songs from multiple video game franchises. Represented titles will include FINAL FANTASY, Chrono Cross, Chrono Trigger, Portal 2, BioShock, Guild Wars 2, Oblivion: The Elder Scrolls, Skyrim: The Elder Scrolls, Blades: The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Starfield, Castlevania, Metal Gear Solid, Halo, Mass Effect, Dear Esther, Journey, God of War, Dragon Age, Shadow of the Colossus and more. The series promises to be an entirely new music concert format and the definitive concert experience for video game enthusiast and music afficionados alike.

Moreover, the concert story is narrated by BAFTA award winner, Nigel Carrington, from the popular video game “Dear Esther” and a host of other credits.

Jason Michael Paul has produced concerts all over the world for artists and companies such as Luciano Pavarotti, The Three Tenors, Picasso Succession Paris, Elton John, Foo Fighters, Outkast, Michael McDonald, James Ingram, Patti Austin, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Seattle Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Tokyo Philharmonic, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, Dallas Symphony, Houston Symphony, Oregon Symphony, Utah Symphony, Ft. Worth Symphony, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony, Nintendo, Sony Computer Entertainment America, Bethesda, Square Enix, Konami, Electronic Arts, Disney, National Geographic, Madison Square Garden Network, PBS, LiveNation, AEG and Nederlander.

JASON MICHAEL PAUL

ARTISTS

KEVIN ZAKRESKY, music director and principal conductor

Kevin Zakresky serves as Music Director and Principal Conductor for Jason Michael Paul Entertainment. Kevin is based out of Vancouver, British Columbia. He has directed international touring productions of The National Geographic “Symphony for our World,” the Legend of Zelda Symphony of the Goddesses, and the “Heroes” Video Game Symphony. In Vancouver he is the Director of the Vancouver Baroque Players and Maddalena’s Descant, a new women’s vocal ensemble.

The National Geographic “Symphony For Our World” debuted in San Francisco’s Davies Symphony Hall and continued to venues in San Jose, Chicago, Madison, Minneapolis, Houston, Edmonton, Calgary, Limerick, Monterrey and Columbus.

The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses tour saw him conduct orchestras throughout North America, South America and Europe. Zelda performances include London - to conduct the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra in Wembley Arena - as well as Montreal, Philadelphia, Miami, Los Angeles, Dublin, San Francisco, San Antonio, Charlottesville, Fresno, Santiago, Buenos Aires, Birmingham (UK), Toronto, Seattle, Portland, Salt Lake City, Oklahoma City, Vancouver and Pittsburgh.

He is the past Music Director of the Prince George Symphony Orchestra and has guest conducted the St Louis Symphony, Calgary Philharmonic, Columbus Symphony, Vancouver Chamber Choir, Fort Worth Symphony, Sudbury Symphony, and West Coast Symphony. He is also past Conductor of the Pacifica Singers and Music Director of the Players & Singers Ensemble. Zakresky received a Doctoral degree in Choral Conducting at Yale University in 2012.

KEVIN ZAKRESKY

NAZARETH UNIVERSITYBESTON HALL

Andreas Delfs, conductor

For Andreas Delfs’ biography, please see page 5.

WOLFGANG Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) 7:00

AMADEUS MOZART Overture, K. 620

BENJAMIN BRITTEN Variations for String Orchestra 27:00 on a Theme of Frank Bridge, Opus 10

I. Introduction and Theme

II. Adagio

III. March

IV. Romance

V. Aria Italiana

VI. Bourée classique

VII. Wiener Waltz

VIII. Moto perpetuo

IX. Funeral March

X. Chant

XI. Fugue and Finale

INTERMISSION

FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN Symphony No. 96 in D major, “The Miracle” 21:00

I. Adagio - Allegro

II. Andante

III. Menuet: Allegretto

IV. Vivace

SERIES

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SUNDAY MATINEES AT NAZ: MOZART & BRITTEN

PROGRAM NOTES

WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART

Overture to The Magic Flute

B. SALZBURG, AUSTRIA

January 27, 1756

D. VIENNA, AUSTRIA

December 5, 1791

Mozart’s final opera, The Magic Flute, is a mystical tale of a hijacked princess, a malevolent queen, a benevolent priest, and the love-sick prince Tamino. Falling madly in love with the princess Pamina from a picture, Tamino is persuaded by the Queen of the Night’s courtiers to rescue the princess, the queen’s daughter, from capture by the queen’s nemesis, Sarastro, whom they paint as evil. They offer Tamino a magic flute to aid in the perilous expedition. But Sarastro turns out to be a priest of reason and fairness, putting Tamino and his bird-catching sidekick Papageno through their paces to prove their worth before allowing Tamino to marry Pamina. The queen’s deceptions are uncovered, and she is banished to darkness. The opera is easy to follow, and the singing-and-speech singspiel delivery makes it a perfect first foray into opera for newcomers.

The story isn’t the only mystical part of the opera: Mozart also incorporated numerology into the score. In Mozart’s later years, he joined a freemason brotherhood of like-minded, creative individuals. Freemason lodges were gaining popularity across Europe, promoting ideas aligned with the Enlightenment, such as reason and humanist values. Additionally, these lodges provided society members with a social outlet. At the lodge, Mozart befriended Emanuel Schikaneder, who wrote the libretto for The Magic Flute (i.e., the opera’s words). The number three held special importance in Masonic communities, from the characteristic three-beat knock to gain entry to the lodge to other symbolisms. In addition to the ways The Magic Flute emphasizes freemason themes in its story of reason and light over evil and darkness, the number three is also woven creatively into the music, including in this orchestral overture that opens the opera. From the opening stately three chords, to the mid-overture trumpet call, to the three closing chords—and even in the overture’s key, E-flat major, which features three flats—the number three is everywhere. It is creatively placed before and around the overture’s central theme, a fast, jesting fugue—a lively intertwining of musical lines—that effectively embodies the opera’s imaginative plot.

PROGRAM NOTES

BENJAMIN BRITTEN

Variations for String Orchestra on a Theme of Frank Bridge, Opus 10

B. LOWESTOFT, ENGLAND November 22, 1913

D. ALDEBURGH, ENGLAND December 4, 1976

When Benjamin Britten was only thirteen years old, he began studying under one of England’s most underrated composers, Frank Bridge. Only a teen, Britten had already written nearly 100 works, mostly mimicking traditional styles. But Bridge, who was critical of British composers for their musical conservatism, saw potential in Benjamin Britten after only a short meeting. With back-to-back lessons in London often spanning multiple hours, Bridge frequently interrogated Britten about his choices, repeatedly questioning, “Is this what you meant?” Britten wrote about these lessons, “Even though I was barely in my teens, this was immensely serious and professional study; and the lessons were mammoth,” and “he really taught me to take as much trouble as I possibly could over every passage, over every progression, over every line.” Rigorous as they were, the lessons were formative for Britten, who synthesized dissonance into his lean lyricisms, resulting in an approachable style. When conductor Boyd Neel, who knew Britten’s ability to turn works around quickly as a film composer, asked Britten to write a new work for the 1937 Salzburg Festival, Britten reworked some variations he started on a theme from one of Bridge’s works, the second movement of Bridge’s Three Idylls for String Quartet. It was a homage to his longtime teacher but also marked his transition from student to a mature, autonomous composer.

A sighing descent followed by stepwise outlying pitches characterizes the theme from Bridge’s idyll. It debuts in Britten’s variations, quoted directly in the second movement, after an initial introduction of pointed trills and surging runs. Following the statement of the theme, the work moves into ten exploratory variations that are remarkably diverse in character but with well-known referents: a march, an Italian aria, a Viennese Waltz, a funeral march (which is more like a lament), a chant, and even an ending fugue. Britten wrote each to express Bridge’s multidimensional personality—his energy, wit, charm, vitality, reverence, and skill—which Britten annotated in the original score. In response, Bridge wrote to Britten, “I don’t know how to express my appreciation in adequate terms. It is one of the few lovely things that has ever happened to me.”

FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN

Symphony No. 96, “Miracle”

B. ROHRAU, LOWER AUSTRIA March 31, 1732

D. VIENNA, AUSTRIA  May 31, 1809

During a concert of Haydn’s music, a chandelier fell, and miraculously, no one was hurt. The event inspired the nickname for Haydn’s Symphony No. 96, “Miracle.” Haydn’s music reportedly saved the day: the audience was so taken by Haydn’s innovative music that they gathered at the stage to offer effusive applause, moving out of the way of the faulty lighting structure. But despite the symphony’s common nickname (which was not given by Haydn), it is unfortunately not the work performed at the time of the chandelier incident. When later scholars dug for evidence, they found the event occurred during the premiere of Haydn’s Symphony No. 102. Perhaps the true miracle was that Haydn was permitted to leave his post at the Esterházy court in Austria to travel to London to give public concerts—among the earliest public concerts in history. Prior to this, composers were typically employed by aristocratic courts and churches. Haydn’s relative isolation might have paradoxically served as a catalyst for his creativity, supported by the music-loving Prince Esterházy. Still, the London symphonies brim with the freshness and humor of a composer with a newfound sense of artistic freedom. Although the Symphony No. 96 is numbered fourth among Haydn’s London symphonies, it was the first to be written and performed. It premiered at the Hanover Square Rooms in London on March 11, 1791.

The symphony is in four movements and features flutes, oboes, bassoons, horns, and trumpets in pairs, along with strings and timpani. Both lighthearted and dramatic, the symphony showcases Haydn’s command of the symphonic genre for his new, and soon adoring, London audiences.

Program notes © 2025 Anna Reguero, PhD, a Rochester-based scholar and arts writer.

THUR DEC 18

7:30 PM

7:30 PM

Jeff Tyzik, conductor

For Jeff Tyzik’s biography, please see page 6.

Eric Metzgar, drum set

Rebecca Gilbert, flute

Julian Gilbert-Rigg, acoustic guitar

Malcolm Gilbert-Rigg, cello

Herb Smith, trumpet

Ahrim Kim, cello

Festival High School Chorale

Brenda Nitsch, festival chorale director

Anthony D’Agostino, festival chorale director

KODAK HALL AT EASTMAN THEATRE

EMIL WALDTEUFEL The Skater’s Overture 4:00 (ARR. TYZIK) Eric Metzgar, drum set

LEROY ANDERSON Sleigh Ride 3:00

JEFF TYZIK Wexford Carol 4:00

Rebecca Gilbert, flute

Julian Gilbert-Rigg, acoustic guitar

Malcolm Gilbert-Rigg, cello

PIOTR ILYICH

Waltz of the Flowers from The Nutcracker 7:00 TCHAIKOVSKY

MEL TORME The Christmas Song 3:30 (ARR. GREAN, Herb Smith, trumpet ORCH. DUBOFF/SULTANOF)

GARY FRY Hark the Herald Angel Sing 3:40 Festival High School Chorale

FRANZ XAVER GRUBER Silent Night 6:20 (ARR. DAN FORREST) Festival High School Chorale

GARY FRY A World of Joy Festival High School Chorale 5:30

JAMES LORD PIERPONT Jingle Bells Forever 4:00 (ARR. SMITH)

HOLIDAY

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CONCERT

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GALA HOLIDAY POPS!

Jeff Tyzik, conductor

For Jeff Tyzik’s biography, please see page 6.

Eric Metzgar, drum set

Rebecca Gilbert, flute

Julian Gilbert-Rigg, acoustic guitar

Malcolm Gilbert-Rigg, cello

Herb Smith, trumpet

Ahrim Kim, cello

Festival High School Chorale

Brenda Nitsch, festival chorale director

Anthony D’Agostino, festival chorale director

KODAK HALL AT EASTMAN THEATRE

INTERMISSION

JEFF TYZIK Carol of the Kings 3:30

PIOTR ILYICH Nutcracker Mini Jazz Suite 10:00

TCHAIKOVSKY

1. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy (ARR. TYZIK) 2. Arabian Dance

TRADITIONAL

(ARR. TYZIK)

JOHN WILLIAMS

3. Trepak

Mis zeh Hidlik 4:00

Ahrim Kim, cello

Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas 4:00 from Home Alone Festival High School Chorale

PHILLIP STOPFORD Lully, Lulla, Lully [a cappella] Festival High School Chorale 4:20

GEORGE FRIDERIC Hallelujah Chorus 5:00 HANDEL from Messiah (Gospel)

(ARR. TYZIK) Festival High School Chorale

ROBERT BURNS

Auld Lang Syne 5:00

(ARR. TYZIK) Festival High School Chorale

We

ARTISTS ARTISTS

ERIC METZGAR, drum set

Eric Metzgar is an in-demand drummer and versatile collaborator who offers his musicianship to various jazz/pop artists and symphony orchestras worldwide. He has had the opportunity to work with numerous firstrate performers including Jeff Tyzik, Sutton Foster, Joe Locke, Jimmy Greene, Shayna Steele, Byron Stripling, and Delfeayo Marsalis. Eric is a passionate educator deeply invested in music teaching and learning. He maintains a private studio and serves as a clinician at grade schools and universities. Eric holds a BM in Drum Set Performance and an MM in Music Teaching and Learning from the Eastman School of Music. He is based in São Paulo, Brazil and tours frequently around the world.

REBECCA GILBERT, flute

Rebecca Gilbert joined the RPO as principal flute (The Charlotte Whitney Allen Chair) in the 1996-97 season. As a regularly featured soloist, her expressive and versatile playing has illuminated the RPO’s Philharmonics and Pops Series performances. She has performed as acting principal flute of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and guest assistant principal flute with the Boston Symphony at Tanglewood. Previous appointments include principal flute of the Charleston Symphony and second flute of the Dayton Philharmonic as an active soloist/recitalist. She has performed solo and chamber music concerts with the Society for Chamber Music in Rochester, First Muse (Rochester), Live from Hochstein, Skaneateles Festival, Charleston’s Piccolo Spoleto Festival, Charles Ives Center for the Arts Contemporary Music Festival, and the Chautauqua Chamber Players. She has performed concerti with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Philharmonia Orchestra, the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, and the Penfield Symphony Orchestra. A Wisconsin native, Gilbert began playing the flute at age nine. She earned a master’s degree from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and attended the Centre International De Formation Musicale in Nice, France. Her principal flute teachers include Jeanne Baxtresser, Randolph Bowman, Kyril Magg, and Gwen Powell. She lives in the Highland Park neighborhood with her husband Gavin Rigg, their two boys Julian and Malcolm, and their Rhodesian Ridgeback Nala.

JULIAN GILBERT-RIGG, acoustic guitar

Julian Gilbert-Rigg is a tenth grader at Irondequoit High School who studies classical guitar with Tim Shannon at The Hochstein School and began music study at age 4 as a Suzuki piano student of Dr. Karen Hagberg. As a member of the Fairport Area Swim Team, he qualified for the 2024 Silvers Championship in the 50 and 100 Breaststroke. A warm-hearted animal lover—especially dogs—he is interested in a career in veterinary medicine.

MALCOLM GILBERT-RIGG, cello

Malcolm Gilbert-Rigg, an eighth grader at Dake Junior High School. He studies cello with Kathy Kemp at The Hochstein School and plays in the Hochstein Philharmonia, having begun his musical studies on Suzuki piano at age four with Dr. Karen Hagberg. Besides his musical activities, Malcolm swims with the Fairport Area Swim Team, trains in baseball as a catcher with PAC, and enjoys cooking and baking.

JULIAN GILBERT-RIGG

PHOTO CREDIT

ERIC METZGAR REBECCA GILBERT

ARTISTS

BRENDA NITSCH, festival chorale director

Brenda Nitsch recently retired from Webster Thomas High School where she was director of choral activities. She also directed and produced the annual spring musical and served as the music department Lead Teacher.

Under the direction of Mrs. Nitsch, Webster Thomas High School soloists and ensembles performed regularly at school, community, NYSSMA, and NAfME sponsored events. Past performance highlights include NYSSMA Major Organization (gold with distinction), NYSSMA Winter Conference, NAfME AllEastern Conference (Rhode Island), New York State Board of Education Convention, RPO Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban (film with orchestra and choir), The Cathedral of St. John the Divine (NYC), Riverside Church (NYC), Salem United Methodist Church (NYC), and St. Patrick’s Cathedral (NYC). Select Choir performed/collaborated with several collegial ensembles and directors including Eastman School of Music, Houghton College, SUNY Fredonia, and Nazareth University. Mrs. Nitsch’s students were consistently chosen to represent Thomas High School in NYSSMA Area All-State and Conference All-State choirs as well as in NAfME All-Eastern and All-National ensembles.

Mrs. Nitsch has served as guest clinician/presenter at college workshops and NYSSMA conferences, guest conducted several senior high and junior high all-county choirs, and for eight years co-taught the Eastman School of Music Secondary Choral Methods class with Dr. Philip Silvey. In 2008 Mrs. Nitsch was the recipient of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Outstanding Musician Educator Award in Choral Music. Currently, Mrs. Nitsch is the alto soloist at Asbury United Methodist Church, supervises Nazareth University secondary choral student teacher candidates and sings in the Rochester vocal chamber ensemble, Madrigalia. She enjoys yoga, kayaking, hiking, and spending time with her grandchildren, Martin and Alma.

Mrs. Nitsch holds a Bachelor of Music from Marywood University, a Master of Science in Music Education from Mansfield University, and a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Eastman School of Music.

ANTHONY D’AGOSTINO, festival chorale director

Mr. D’Agostino is currently the Junior High Choir Director at Victor Central School District & an Adjunct Professor at Finger Lakes Community College where he directs Finger Lakes Camerata. He also serves as the Music Director for the Junior High Musicals. Students of Mr. D’Agostino have been invited to perform in the Junior High School Area All-State, Senior High Area All-State, Conference All-State, and ACDA Summer, Eastern Division and National Honor Choirs. Students have also been invited to sing with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra as part of the Gala Holiday Pops Chorus. They have also worked with renowned conductors such as Eric Whitacre, Dr. Jo-Michael Scheibe, Dr. Peggy Dettwiler, and Dr. Anton Armstrong, Dr. Jonathan Babcock, Dr. Emily Elsworth among many others.

Before coming to Victor, Mr. D’Agostino served as the 7-12 Choral Director at Dansville Central School District. While at Dansville, Mr. D’Agostino conducting the 7/8 Junior High Chorus, High School Mixed Chorus, Treble Chorus, and Chamber Singers. The Chamber Singers, a select acapella group performed an Annual Madrigal Dinner & “Pop Night at the Bistro”. Under his direction, Mr. D’Agostino’s Choirs have been invited to perform throughout New York State including the illustrious Carnegie Hall in 2014 & 2015

Mr. D’Agostino has been invited to guest Conduct Junior High & Senior High All County Choirs & JH Area All State Festivals in New York & Pennsylvania. He also serves as the R & R Chair for the Middle School/ Junior High Choirs through New York ACDA. Mr. D’Agostino serves as the CoDirector of the Gala Holiday Pops Performances with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Mr. Jeff Tyzik.

BRENDA NITSCH ANTHONY D’AGOSTINO

ARTISTS

2025 FESTIVAL HIGH SCHOOL CHORALE

SOPRANO I

Casey Acoff

Lydia Agnello

Delilah Aldrich

Ella Collazo

Lily DeMasio

Katie Falk

Jamie Fetzner

Victoria Foos

Lauren Forrett

Leah Genge

Mia Gray

Ruby Julseth

Ellianna Kelly

Madilyn Law

Mairi Linden

Jane Lloyd

Aniya Osterberg

Alexandra Scott

Breanna Shaver

Paige Sugarman

SOPRANO II

Evie Aiezza

Keylianie Alamo Ubiles

Taisia Badulescu

Gracelyn Beachner

Rebecca Camilleri

Asyanna Foust

Delaney Gallahan

Grace Gringer

Brooklynn Hand

Rory Herendeen

Jessica Herman

Ava Herrington

Elaine Keenan

Kinsey Kime

Isobel Law

Nora Lindsay

Gabriella Lovejoy

Leigha Scally

Isla Schultz

Alaynna Selvek

Alexis Westmoreland

ALTO I

Rylie Biroscak

Carlasia Clark

Sarah Darder

Isabella Eichelberger

Simone Gillotti

Kylie Gravino

Renee Groesbeck

Claire Hancey

Alison Henry

Clara Kneezel

Alexis MacDonald

Arianna Malone

Mady McConnell

Genevieve Oldham

Lucy PriceMarten

Madylin Renckert

Lillie Spoon

Ava Vilcins

Azalea Weigert

ALTO II

Jada Bradley

Norah Collins

Cate Daley

Rachel Gillan

Hannah Harmon

Mady Hewitt

Norah Johnson

Hannah Kubitz

Katherine Kuhl

Finn Lowe

Mary Lundy

Eva Mitchell

Eleanor Pratt

Marleigh Priest

Kara Salvesen

Madeline Seddon

Ada` Woodworth

Caspian Wunder

TENOR I

Clem Beach

Jamaal Bradley

John Culhane

Riley Farrell

Charod Fields

Lil Iannazzi

William McLaughlin

Rowan Murphy

Anna Reilly

Dakota Saar

Ashonce Torrey

Aiden Tyson

Brody Walrath

Emersyn Warner

TENOR II

James Berends

Matteo Botelho

Nathan Brandt

Thomas Curran

Collin Isaacs

Key'Andre Joseph

Tyler Lovenguth

Dalton Mazzo

Jamie Ninestine

Dylan Parker

Sahaj Paul

William Quan

Colin Ritchie

Marcus Shelley

Scott Smith

BASS I

Griffin Allen

Kallan Babcock

Casey Bronson

Weston Brown

Evan Burdick

Brennan Carney

Levi Choi

Charles Parker Gibbs

Marcus Haffner

Aidan Kelley

Ziad Khan

Henry Klemann

Ethan Klock

Leonidas Ladd

Peiheng Liu

Giovanni Malone

Ezekiel Masters

Cavan McNeil

Mason O'Connell

Giovanni Parent

Tanner Peters

Sam Pfund

Anthony (AJ) Pisciotti

Jax Richards-Dyson

Vincent Saliceti

Landon Smarcz

Ethan Stein

Colin Tenny

Joshua Wood

BASS II

Aidan Couillard

Daniel Doser

Rory Goodwin

Max Kosanouvong

James Lasky

Michael Leonard

Henry Manley

Lennon Pardun

Noah Seng

Nicholas Walczak

Ryan Years

Participating High Schools: Greece Olympia, Webster Schroeder, Fairport, Newark, Greece Athena, Victor, Webster Thomas, East Irondequoit, Bloomfield, Brighton, Pittsford Sutherland, Holley, Canandaigua, Brockport, Caledonia-Mumford, Churchville Chili, Williamson, Waterloo, Red Jacket, Spencerport, Sodus, Gates-Chili, North Rose Wolcott, Penfield, Romulus

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The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra gratefully acknowledges the following corporate, foundation, and community organizations for their generous support. Please contact the Development Office at development@rpo.org with questions or corrections. Listings are in recognition of our current donors during the 2025-26 Season from July 1 through October 31, 2025.

SYMPHONY

($50,000 AND ABOVE)

City of Rochester

G.W. Lisk Company, Inc.& Lisk Morris Foundation, Inc. & Monroe County

CONCERTO

($25,000–$49,999)

Canandaigua National Bank & Trust

MusicPower.org

The Kilian J. and Caroline F. Schmitt Foundation

TwoPoint Capital Management

Waldron Rise Foundation in honor of Anne G. Whitman& Wegmans Food Markets

SONATA

($10,000–$24,999)

The Arbor Loft

The Gertrude Chanler RPO Fund at the RACF Community Bank, N.A.

The Community Foundation

B. Thomas Golisano Foundation

Kimbo il Caffé di Napoli

M&T Bank

Music Performance Trust Fund

Guido and Ellen Palma Foundation

Pittsford Federal Credit Union^

St. Ann’s Community

SUITE

($5,000–$9,999)

Eggers Family Charitable Fund

Melvin and Mildred Eggers Family

Charitable Foundation

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Hoselton Auto Mall

Leading Edge Advising & Development

The Marilyn Lichtman Foundation

LSI Solutions, Inc.

Rochester Gas & Electric

OVERTURE

($3,000–$4,999)

St. John’s Vision Financial GroupMatthew Geherin, Matthew Hettinga, Bruce Marche, and Kristen Story

PARTNER

($1,000–$2,999)

Alliance Advisory Group, Inc.

Bristol Mountain

BRX Research

Flaum Management Company, Inc.

High Falls Advisors

Nazareth University

Rochester Education Foundation

Schreiner Family Fund

FRIENDS

($1-$999)

Fox Pest Control

Victor and Helen Geisel Foundation, Inc.^

General Code

West Rush Media, LLC

MATCHING GIFT COMPANIES

Charities Aid Foundation of America

Johnson and Johnson

Matching Gift Foundation

Scan to view the full listing from July 1, 2025 through October 31, 2025

MAESTRO’S CIRCLE LEADERSHIP GIVING SOCIETY

The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra gratefully acknowledges the generous individuals listed here who help us continue to enrich and inspire the community through the art of music. While space only permits us to list pledged gifts made at the Benefactor level and above in the printed program book, we value the generosity and vital support of all donors and have moved all donors from Contributor amount and above to be listed in our digital edition donor roll on www.rpo.org/donor-recognition. Please contact us at development@ rpo.org questions or corrections. Listings are in recognition of our current donors during the 2025-26 Season from July 1 through October 31, 2025.

MAESTOSO ($50,000 AND ABOVE)

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Allen* and Joyce Boucher&

Jim and Maria Boucher&

Christine Colucci&

Karen Duguid and Wallace Johnson&

Mr. and Mrs.* James T. Englert&

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Dr. Ralph F. Jozefowicz&

PRESTISSIMO ($25,000-$49,999)

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Mary Ellen Burris&

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VIVACE ($10,000-$24,999)

Anonymous

Patrick and Irene Burke&

William L. and Ruth P. Cahn^& Mr. and Mrs.* Harlan D. Calkins& Terence Chrzan and Susann Brown*& Barbara A. Colucci^

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ADAGIO ($2,500-$9,999)

Quincy and Sonya Allen

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Peter W. Briggs

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Bruce Jacobs

Jack McGowan and Kathleen Muscato&

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Gouvernet Fund for the Arts at RACF

Mrs. Laura J. Hameister^&S

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Kathleen Holt and Stephen Lurie

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PHILHARMONIC FRIENDS

ADVOCATE ($1,000-$2,499)

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David AckroydS

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Betsy and Jay* Friedman&

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Nellie J. Rosenberg&

Mr. Wesley Saucke*

Drs. Eva and Jude Sauer&

Deborah Ronnen and Sherman Levy*

Katherine T. and Jon L. Schumacher&

Mr. and Mrs. David K. Weber

Karen and Laurence Kessler

Vincent and Zuzanna Kwon& Ross P. Lanzafame, Esq.& Lenore* and Marshall Lesser&

Michael and Frances Millard& William J. O’Connor, Jr.& Pace Family Fund&

Mrs. Richard Palermo&

Richard and Karen Knowles&

Glenn and Nancy Koch

Elsbeth J. Kozel&

Karen and Gerald Kral&

Marcy and Ray Kraus in loving memory of Dr. Allan and Charlotte Kraus&

Chari and Joel Krenis

Connie Leary and James O’Connell&

Philip and Susan Lederer

Norma and Anthony* Leone, MD

Curtis and Elizabeth Long&S

Barbara E. Marshall&

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Gilbert Kennedy McCurdy

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Tom and Kate Kidera

Alan and Deborah Lattime

Jennifer Leonard and David Cay Johnston

Katherine Lewis and Richard Chasman*

ADVOCATE

($1,000-$2,499) CONTINUED

Margaret Lindsey, M.D.

Sue and Michael LococoS

Russell and Mary Lou Madsen

Joseph J. Mancini*

Scott Manspeaker

Saul and Susan Marsh

Richard and Kate Massie

Edward G. McClive

Richard W. McGrath

Andrew and Kay Melnyk

Ralph and Martha Meyer

Daniel M. Meyers&

Fritz and Maura Minges

BENEFACTOR ($500-$999)

Karen Abbas

Barbara Agor

Daisy AlgarinS

Jim and Linda Baroody

Jay and Beth BlaufussS

Henra S. Briskin

Eileen Buholtz

Gretchen and Paul Burke

Drs. David Bushinsky and Nancy Krieger

Dan and Amanda Butler

Steven Cannell

Riley and Karen Carhart

Brendan and Suzanne Casey

Victor Ciaraldi and Kathy Marchaesi

Elison and Donald Cramer

Kathleen DillS

Terrence R. Doherty

Daniel DwyerS

Linda S. Eastman

Gerald G. Estes

Sherman and Anne Farnham

Almon Fisher

Sarah Fitts-Romig

Susan and Leslie Foor

Ruth Freeman

Linda and David FriedmanS

Scan to view the full listing from July 1, 2025 through October 31, 2025

IN MEMORY OF…

R. Carlos Carballada

Sam and Mimi Tilton

Douglas Cline

Patte Bishop

Timothy and Marilyn Downs

Ellen Fenger

James* and Geraldine Moore

Laura V. Morrissey

Pastor and Mrs. Donald Muller

Dr. and Mrs. Curtis N. Nelson

Helene Newman

Peter J. Obourn

Mr. Donald W. and Mrs. Jo-Ann R. O’Brien

Graham Ottoson

Thomas Parker

Tom Parker

Douglas and Rose Peet

Jerry Peters

Dick and Cathy Rasmussen

Stephen Gullace

Linda and John Haight

William and Cathy Haller

Barbara and A. Michael Hanna

John C. Hanna

Michael R. Herzog

Sheila Hollander

Dr. Dewey Jackson

Lyle Jenks

Connie KaminskiS&

Mr. Edward Klehr

Ann Knigge and Al Buckner

Ken Knight and Ann Curtin-Knight*

Mrs. Ellen Konar

Ellen C. Lewis

Sarah F. Liebschutz, PhD

Rose and Roger Linscott

Janet and Haines Lockhart

Edwin Lopez-Soto and Patricia Braus

John and Judy Lynd

Chen and John MageeS

Russell J. Mandrino

Dick and Sandra McGavern

Maureen McGlynn

Jonathan Mink and Janet Cranshaw

Charles Morgan

BRAVO TRIBUTES

Rene Reixach

Nancy and Art Roberts

Hannah and Arnold Rosenblatt

Jamal and Pam Rossi

Tom and Ellen Rusling

Joan and James* Ryan, Sr.

Mr. and Mrs. William Schultz

Heidi B. Schwarz, M.D.&

Libba and Wolf Seka

Leonard and Elaine Simon

Phillip and Karen Sparkes

Ann H. Stevens and William J. Shattuck&

Wayne and Anne Vander Byl

David and Monika M. MullenS

Thomas C. Munger

Michael D. Nazar

Maureen and Steve Neumaier

Mr. and Mrs. John Norris

Joan R. Nusbaum

Peggy and David Oakes

W Smith* and Jean O’Brien

Debra and George Orosz

Christian and Sarah Peyre

Douglas and Diana Phillips

Stan and Anne Refermat

Richard and Margery Rosen

Warren and Pamela Rosenbaum

Carolyn and Charles RuffingS&

Hon. Franklin T. and Cynthia Russell

David and Naomi Schrier

David Segal

Rich Sensenbach

Joseph and Mary Kathryn Shanahan

Harry and Ruth* Walker

James Watters

Pierce and Elizabeth Webb

Stephen R. Webb

Philip and Marilyn Wehrheim Fund

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Weingarten&^

Sherwin* and Linda Weinstein

Joyce and William Weir

Jeff Wright and Betty Wells

Bill and Wende Young

Helen A. Zamboni

Gary and Cathleen Zdyb

Eloise Shrag

Harvey Simmons

Daniel and Sarah Singal

Janet H. Sorensen

Ms. Maureen A. Stables

Berl Stein

Jeff Storey

Steve and Cheryl Swartout

David and Carol Teegarden

Eugene and Gloria Ulterino

Robert Vosteen

John and Anne Walker

Marsha Walton

Warren Welch

Stephen Wershing

Susan and Paul Wilkens

Eileen M. Wurzer

Lawrence and Susan Yovanoff

Eric Zeise and Ellen Henry

& Denotes donor(s) has/have contributed to the RPO& Comprehensive Capital Campaign.

S Denotes donor(s) has/have a recurring Sustaining Circle contribution to the RPO.

* Denotes donor(s) is/are deceased.

L Denotes donor(s) has/have contributed to the Rochester Philharmonic League (RPL).

^ Denotes donor(s) has/have contributed to the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (RPYO).

The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra gratefully acknowledges the following individuals and organizations for their generous support by honoring or remembering in memory of, the individuals listed below. Listings are in recognition of tribute gifts received from July 1, 2025 through October 31, 2025.

Tribute gifts are a special way to remember loved ones or commemorate special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, births or graduations. If you would like to make a memorial or honorarium gift, please visit www.rpo.org/donate or contact the Development office at 585/454-7311 ext. 249 or email development@rpo.org.

Judith Cruppe

Richard DeMallie

Catherine and ElmarFrangenberg, M.D.

Robert and Christine Guistina

Gregory and Judith Graham

Antony Gugino and Earlene Siebold

John and Diane Hanna

High Falls Advisors

Charles Fujita and Dulcy Lecour

Mary Anne Gillespie

Faye Shea

Josephine Trubek

Margaret Vanas

Ann Curtin-Knight

Kenneth Knight

Sheila Dermody

Catherine and Elmar Frangenberg, M.D.

Ellen Englert

Renee Brownstein

James and Pamela Carty

Robert and Frances Clawson

Bruce and Ann Leonard

John W. Littwitz

Ray and Patrizia Macera

Russell J. Mandrino

Mary Ann Mrva

Tracy A. Romano

Bonnie B. Sale

Joann Smith

Suzanne M. Spencer

Richard and Sandra Stein

David Strasenburgh

Anthony and Raechel Taddei

Timothy M. Verna

Suzanne Verstraten

Cynthia Whitehouse

Frances R. Howell, Jr.

Jennifer McRae Fitzsimmons

Nancy Howell

Carol A. Michaels

Lew D. Jones

Itai Bronshtein

Barbara Law

Stanley and Anne Refermat

Victoria Romig

Sarah Fitts-Romig

Albert Serenati

Nancy A. Snyder and Family

Anne W. Sullivan

Philip and Eleanor Hopke

R. Alan and Deborah Lattime

Robert W. Sweeney

Gerald Estes

Ann Weintraub

Dr. and Mrs. Harold Kanthor

Leon Williams

Jerry Maus

Sheri Unglaub Williams

Heather Fuller

Douglas and Sarah Hughes

David and Carolyn Reville

Andrew and Elizabeth Swanson

James and Donna Traino

Edna Yates Dr. Curtis N. Nelson

IN HONOR OF…

Drs. Karen Duguid and Wally Johnson

Mark Cronin

Dr. Harold Kanthor’s Birthday

Joseph Rapoport & Family

Nathan and Susan Robfogel’s 60th

Wedding Anniversary

Charles and Kathleen Salitan

Valerie Salitan

Catharine “Kitty” Wise

J. Michael and Alice Smith

Scan to view the full listing from July 1, 2025 through October 31, 2025

Anonymous

Marie Aklin*

Betty Jane Altier*

Alva Angle*

Catherine N. Asmuth*

Jean Boynton Baker*

John B. and Margaret Barnell*

RPO GEORGE EASTMAN LEGACY SOCIETY

Members of the RPO George Eastman Legacy Society are true believers in the power of music. The RPO George Eastman Legacy Society honors those individuals who remember the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra through a planned gift. The RPO’s team of development professionals are available to work with you and your advisors to create a plan that will help you meet your financial and philanthropic goals. For more information, please contact the Development Office at 585.454.7311.

Barbara Jean Gray-Gottorff*

George Greer*

Jean Groff*

Sue C. Habbersett*

William B. Hale*

Mrs. Laura J. Hameister

Marilyn* and Dick Hare

Walter J.* and Jeanne M. Beecher

Walter S. Beecher

Nancy and Harry Beilfuss**

Carol and John Bennett

Jack and Carolyn Bent

Donald Berens*

Ellen S. Bevan*

Stuart* and Betsy Bobry

James R. Boehler*

Marilyn Bondy

Beverly T. Bowen*

John W.* and Margaret Z.* Branch

William and Ruth Cahn

Mary Allison Callaway and Paul R. Callaway*

Catherine B. Carlson*

Norris F. Carlson*

Margaret J. Carnall*

Joan and Paul Casterline**

Susann* and Terence Chrzan

Nancy A. Clemens*

Barbara Colucci

Christine Colucci

Mary Consler*

Judy and Joe Darweesh

Alfred L. Davis*

Barbara Dechario*

Paul Donnelly*

Marilyn A. Drumm*

Amelia N. Dunbar*

Frederick Dushay

Richard and Harriet Eisenberg*

James T. and Ellen Englert

John R. Ertle*

Julia B. Everitt*

Glenn and Rebecca Fadner

Ruth H. Fairbank*

Joan and Harold* Feinbloom

Albert Fenyvessy*

Donald C.* and Elizabeth Fisher

Catherine and Elmar Frangenberg

Carolyn and Roger Friedlander

Betsy Friedman

Karyl P. Friedman

Linda and David Friedman

Patrick and Barbara Fulford

William L. Gamble*

Sharon Garelick

Rob W. Goodling

Mary M. Gooley*

Karen G. Hart*

Monica R. Hayden*

Warren* and Joyce Heilbronner

David W. Hinz*

Jean Hitchcock

Norman L. Horton*

Mrs. Samter Horwitz*

H. Larry and Dorothy C. Humm

Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Hursh*

Carol A. Jones

Nick and Kitty Jospe

Dr. Ralph F. Jozefowicz

Nancie R. Kennedy*

Robert T. Kimbrough*

Marcella Klein and Richard Schaeffer

Glenn and Nancy Koch

Ross P. Lanzafame, Esq.

Jeanne Lareau*

Marshall and Lenore* Lesser

Drs. Jacques* and Dawn Lipson

Sue and Michael Lococo

William C.* and Elfriede K. Lotz

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Mahar

Linda Malinich*

Joseph J. Mancini*

Gerard Mayer*

John T. McAdam*

Pete* and Sally Merrill

Donald R. Messina*

Robert J. and Marcia Wishengrad Metzger

Dan Meyers

Mrs. Elizabeth O. Miller*

Jane E. Miller*

Mary L. Mitchell*

Deanne Molinari*

Eleanor Morris*

Mrs. Marjorie Morris*

Patricia McCurdy Morse*

John S. Muenter

Diane F. Nelson*

Paul Marc and Pamela Miller Ness

Carolyn Noble*

Deborah Onslow

Margaret Paaschen*

Mary Anne Palermo

Ms. Lydia Susan Palmer

Eleanor T. Patterson*

Suzanne F. Powell

Robert and Ann Quivey

Ernest Rashiatore*

Eileen D. Ramos*

Marjorie Cohen Relin*

Doris Repenter*

Dr. Ramon L. and Judith S. Ricker

Dr. Suzanne H. Rodgers*

Nellie J. Rosenberg

Dick* and Bea Rosenbloom

Elise and Stephen* Rosenfeld

Pearl W. Rubin*

Wallace R. Rust

Ron and Sharon Salluzzo

Wesley Saucke*

Peggy W. Savlov*

James G. Scanzaroli*

David G. and Antonia T. Schantz

William and Susan Schoff

Peter Schott and Mary Jane Tasciotti

Jon L. and Katherine T. Schumacher

Vicki* and Richard Schwartz

Laura M. Seifferd*

Libba and Wolf Seka

Gretchen Shafer*

Virginia Durand Shelden*

Elbis A. Shoales, M.D.

Carol Shulman

Anna Rita Staffieri*

Ingrid Stanlis

Abby and David Stern

Patricia E. Stott

Betty Strasenburgh*

Martha Ann* and Daniel Tack

Amanda Tierson

Ivan Town*

Carol Van Hoesen*

Elizabeth Van Horn*

Harry and Ruth Walker

Patricia Ward-Baker

Margaret Webster*

Robin and Michael* Weintraub

Jean B. Wetzel*

Mildred Wischmeyer*

Kitty J. Wise

John and Laurie Witmeyer

Helen W. Witt*

Mary Alice and Robert Wolf*

Susan and Lawrence Yovanoff

Nancy and Mark Zawacki

Alan Ziegler and Emily Neece

Mr. and Mrs. Ted Zornow

* Denotes donor(s) is/are deceased. ^Denotes donor(s) has/have contributed to the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (RPYO).

ABOUT US

Since its founding by George Eastman in 1922, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra has been committed to enriching and inspiring our community through the art of music. Currently celebrating our 102nd Season, the RPO is dedicated to maintaining its deep commitment to artistic excellence, educational opportunity, and community engagement. Today, the RPO presents up to 120 concerts per year, serving nearly 170,000 people through ticketed events, education and community engagement activities, and concerts in schools and community centers throughout the region. Nearly one-third of all RPO performances are educational or community-related. In addition, WXXI 91.5 FM rebroadcasts approximately 30 RPO concerts each year. For more information, visit rpo.org.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

TICKETS: The RPO Patron Services Center is located at 255 East Avenue in the back of the Farash Place building in downtown Rochester. Free parking is available in a small lot between the parking garage and building. Open Monday through Friday 10 AM–5PM.

GROUP SALES: Groups of 10 or more are eligible for discounts starting at 20%! Contact Group and Corporate Sales Manager: Sal Uttaro at suttaro@ rpo.org | Office: (585) 454-7311 ext. 267 | Mobile: (585) 530-0865

NIGHT-OF-CONCERT PURCHASES: RPO will-call tickets and concert tickets are available at the RPO tables in the Eastman Theatre Box Office lobby starting 90 minutes prior to concert time.

PARKING: Paid parking for Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre is available at the East End Garage, located next to the theatre. Open entrances/exits change frequently while the garage is under construction. Visit rpo.org/parking for the most recent updates. Paid parking for the Performance Hall at Hochstein is available at the Sister Cities Garage, located behind the school at Church and Fitzhugh Streets.

PRE-CONCERT TALKS: All ticketholders are welcome to attend free pre-concert talks held one hour before all Philharmonics concerts and all Jeff Tyzik-conducted Pops concerts. Ticketholders are asked to sit anywhere they would like in the orchestra level of the theatre, then head to their reserved seat for the concert.

SERVICES FOR PATRONS WITH DISABILITIES: Wheelchair locations and seating for those with disabilities are available at all venues; please see the house manager or an usher for assistance. Elevators are located in the Eastman Theatre Box Office lobby. A wheelchair-accessible restroom is available on the first floor.

SERVICES FOR HARD-OF-HEARING PATRONS: Audio systems are available at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre; headsets may be obtained from an usher prior to the performance.

CHANGING SEATS: If you find it necessary to be reseated for any reason, please contact an usher who will bring your request to the House Manager.

LOST AND FOUND: Items found in Kodak Hall will be held at the Eastman Theatre Box Office, 433 E. Main Street. For more info, call 585-274-3000.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES: The use of cameras or audio recording equipment is strictly prohibited. Patrons are asked to silence all personal electronic devices prior to the performance.

REFRESHMENTS: Food and drink are not permitted in the concert hall, except for bottled water. Refreshments are available for purchase in Betty’s Café located on the orchestra level of Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre.

TICKET DONATION: If you are unable to attend a concert, please consider donating your tickets to us as a tax-deductible contribution. Return your tickets to the RPO no later than 2 PM the day of the performance to make them available for resale.

Bravo is published cooperatively by the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and Buffalo Spree

Joyce Tseng| Editor, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra

Meg Spoto | Creative Director, m dash studio

Anna Reguero, PhD | Program Annotator

Editorial Offices: Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra

255 East Avenue, Suite LL02

Rochester NY 14604

585-454-7311 • Fax: 585-423-2256

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