Tonight is the season finale! How swiftly the time passes. It all began with two concerts in October, which doesn’t seem that long ago. We finish strongly again this season with Beethoven’s towering Fifth Symphony, and the grand arc of Wynton Marsalis’ Violin Concerto, which embraces jazz, folk, dance, and pop.   

Performing the concerto is the brilliant Kelly Hall-Tompkins, of whom the American Record Guide raves: “She is beyond technique. She compels you to listen.” Over the past few seasons, she has made the Marsalis concerto her own, revealing the breath, colors, and styles of this work.   

On the podium this evening is Kyle Dickson, presently Assistant Conductor of the Memphis Symphony.   He has appeared with the San Francisco Symphony, as well as the orchestras of Detroit, Louisville, Minnesota, and others. He is also a fervent champion for music education, and we welcome him to the podium this evening as he begins the program with Aaron Copland’s stirring Canticle of Freedom featuring our Oakland Symphony Chorus.     

As you have heard, the Oakland Symphony was thrilled to announce Kedrick Armstrong as our new Music Director on April 9. The announcement, which received international attention is the culmination of a two-year search process. You were here to see most all the candidates. I’m sure you agree that Kedrick’s concert this past February was electrifying. We can all look forward to an exciting and creative future when he conducts his inaugural concert this October.   

But that’s not until the fall. Copland, Marsalis, and Beethoven are before us tonight. I thank you for making the 2023-24 season a roaring success, and for sharing the journey to Kedrick’s appointment with us.

Sincerely,

Dr. Mieko Hatano,
Executive Director

BEETHOVEN'S FIFTH

Friday, May 17, 2024 | 8pm
Paramount Theatre, Oakland

The 2023-2024 Season of Oakland Symphony is generously funded in part by the East Bay Music Fund at the East Bay Community Foundation; the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation; the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency; and supported by the Oakland City Council and funded by the City of Oakland’s Cultural Funding Program.