North State Symphony’s (NSS) 2019-20 season is a celebration of Beethoven’s 250th birthday year, and of loyal and new classical music fans across Northern California who join us every year to revel in the special shared experience of live classical music.
The “Better Together” Season begins and ends with Beethoven, one of the most beloved classical composers of all time whose works have inspired and sustained generation after generation to engage with and follow this enduring art form. The first of four Masterworks series concerts is “Beethoven Triple” on September 28th in Redding’s Cascade Theatre and September 29th in Chico’s Laxson Auditorium, featuring the composer’s monumental and rarely performed Triple Concerto for piano, violin and cello. Beethoven also bookends the season in “Ode to Joy: Beethoven’s 250th”, NSS’s final Masterworks concerts of the season on May 9th in Chico and May 10th in Redding and featuring Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9.
“During this concert season, NSS shares Beethoven’s enduring musical voice of heroism, humanity, optimism and harmony – from the podium, from the stage, and in events throughout the community,” says Scott Seaton, North State Symphony Music Director and Conductor. “As we’ve seen over the past year, challenges and adversity bring out the best of our natures, and prove that no matter what, we’re better together. We look forward to reuniting with listeners in the concert hall and chamber music venues; and through our Explore Music programs that take us into schools, retirement communities, parks and farmer’s markets, onto streets and parking lots, or wherever the unifying power of music calls”.
Following the September season opener, the annual NSS Chamber Music performances in October celebrate a musical Halloween with “Pranksters & Legends” on October 19th in Redding and October 20th in Chico.
On November 9th and 10th, the Masterworks series continues with “Rising Above”. Now a year from the fires that devastated the North State, this program exemplifies the resilience of our communities and hope for the future.
December brings our traditional Holiday Concerts, including an audience sing-a-long and post-concert refreshments reception, to Chico (December 13th), Red Bluff (December 14th), and Redding (December 15th).
The year 2020 starts with our third Masterworks series concerts of the season on February 8th in Redding and February 9th in Chico. “Pulling Out the Stops” features the Saint-Saens Organ Symphony, in addition to other works performed by NSS Young Artist Audition winners, the Butte MTAC Youth Orchestra (under the direction of Yoshie Muratani) and the Shasta College Youth Strings (under the direction of Jeff Specht).
On March 4th, 5th and 6th, we perform for over 4,000 young people in our Youth Concerts. With a goal of educating and entertaining, this season’s Youth Concert theme is “What is a Melody?”
April brings our 3rd annual “NSS Pops” concerts. “Our Expanding Universe” will feature some of Hollywood’s greatest Sci-Fi and television themes, along with exciting highlights from Holst’s The Planets.
Single tickets for all performances as well as Season Ticket packages for the 4-concert Masterworks Series are now on sale at the Cascade Theatre Box Office in Redding (cascadetheatre.org) and the Chico Performances Box Office in Chico (chicostatetickets.com). Student and senior discounts are available.
Generous community support for North State Symphony is provided by Season Sponsor Dignity Health.
North State Symphony (www.northstatesymphony.org) is a professional orchestra dedicated to achieving excellence in musical performance and educational opportunities, while engaging and shaping the cultural life of Northern California.
