Join us for our 2008-2009 Concert Season!

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The North State Symphony kicks off its 103rd season with a concert entitled “A Star Shines in Autumn” Saturday, Sept. 27 at 7:30 p.m. in the Cascade Theatre in Redding and Sunday, Sept. 28 at 2:00 p.m. in CSU, Chico’s Laxson Auditorium.

Jon Nakamatsu, one of the most sought-after pianists of this generation, will perform at the Symphony’s “A Star Shines in Autumn” concerts. Nakamatsu, California’s own Van Cliburn award-winning pianist, will play the Third Concerto of Rachmaninoff, an all-time audience favorite. Music Director Kyle Wiley Pickett leads the orchestra in Brahms’ Third Symphony and a rousing salute to the season from Autumn by Glazunov.

Kyle Wiley Pickett, the Music Director of the North State Symphony, calls Nakamatsu “a powerful artist. His playing is incredibly virtuosic and musical, and I know it will be (a) wonderful concert.” Nakamatsu has also earned similar praise from classical music critics, including the Chicago Tribune, which called him “astounding.”

Following the concert at Redding’s Cascade Theatre on Sept 27, a reception fundraiser follows at Market Street Steakhouse, offering audience members a chance to meet Nakamatsu. (Click here for more info on the reception.)

Concert tickets are available in Redding at the Cascade, 243-8877, and in Chico at the University Box Office 898-6333. For reception tickets, call the Symphony office 898-6333.

This season also includes pieces by Rossini, Schoenberg and Beethoven on Friday, Nov. 14, Saturday, Nov. 15 and Sunday, Nov. 16 in Oroville, Chico and Redding and later concerts. The array of harmony and variety of music include a holiday concert in December, Mahler’s Fourth Symphony in February and Stravinsky’s Firebird in May.