New West Symphony presents the music of Brahms, Ravel & Mendelssohn, plus a world premiere, on October 5 & 6

Photo: Eugene Yankevich

Thousand Oaks, CA, September 10, 2024 - The New West Symphony (NWS) presents music by Johannes Brahms, Maurice Ravel and Felix Mendelssohn - plus a world premiere from Los Angeles-based composer Derrick Skye - on October 5 in Thousand Oaks and October 6 in Camarillo.

The concerts feature NWS Concertmaster Alyssa Park performing two violin concertos as featured soloist: Ravel's Tzigane and Skye's Amalgamation, commissioned by NWS and written specifically for Park. Pacific Festival Ballet, a fellow resident company of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, also performs.

"This will be a buoyant, vigorous and melody-filled performance with a feast of musical styles. I'm particularly excited to perform Brahms' Hungarian Dances with Pacific Festival Ballet and feature my amazing colleague, violinist Alyssa Park, unleashing her full virtuosic talents with Ravel's Tzigane and a fabulous new work by Derrick Skye," said Artistic and Music Director Michael Christie.

Skye says about his world premiere for violin and orchestra: "Amalgamation blends Persian, Assyrian, Western classical, Jazz, and Blues influences into a single narrative. The piece invites listeners to explore their own unique experiences with cultural identities through music, while also reflecting the journey of embracing and participating in a cultural musical identity that transcends one's own ancestry."

Prior to the weekend performances, NWS hosts Meet the Artists on Thursday, October 3 at 11 a.m. at University Village Thousand Oaks. Meet the Artists provides a unique "behind the scenes" experience hosted by Maestro Christie with violinist Alyssa Park and Pacific Festival Ballet Director Kim Maselli. The free event begins with a brunch reception at 10 a.m. Reservations are required by calling University Village at 805.241.3300 at least 48 hours in advance.

Brahms, Mendelssohn & Ravel…plus a World Premiere
Saturday, October 5 at 7 p.m. - Bank of America Performing Arts Center (BAPAC)
2100 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks
Sundays, October 6 at 3 p.m. - Rancho Campana Performing Arts Center (RCPAC)
4235 Mar Vista Drive, Camarillo

Michael Christie, conductor
Alyssa Park, violin
Pacific Festival Ballet, Kim Maselli, director

Brahms: Hungarian Dances, No. 1, No. 3 & No. 10
Ravel: Tzigane for Violin and Orchestra
Derrick Skye: Amalgamation for Violin and Orchestra (World Premiere, a NWS commission)
Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4, "Italian"

Tickets for 2024 concerts are on sale now; prices range from $35-$125. Tickets for students and children are $15. Patrons purchasing tickets to all three remaining 2024 concerts receive up to 20% off single ticket prices and other discounts, free ticket exchanges, invitations to exclusive events and other benefits. New 2025 Masterpiece Series subscription packages are on sale now and single tickets for 2025 go on sale October 1.

For full performance details and to order tickets, visit newwestsymphony.org or call 866.776.8400.

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About New West Symphony
Founded in 1995 and entering its 30^th Anniversary season, the New West Symphony (NWS) is a professional orchestra that draws players from the rich talent pool of professional LA-area musicians. NWS is guided by the artistic direction of GRAMMY®-winning Maestro Michael Christie and CEO Natalia Staneva. NWS is a resident company of the Bank of America Performing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks and also performs at the Rancho Campana Performing Arts Center in Camarillo. The organization presents six Masterpiece Series concerts annually, performing major works from the symphonic repertoire with internationally-acclaimed guest artists. NWS also provides education and engagement opportunities for the communities it serves through its Symphonic Adventures program for youth and the Laby Harmony Project, a year-round music and leadership program for underserved students. newwestsymphony.org
About Michael Christie
Named New West Symphony's Artistic and Music Director in December 2018, GRAMMY® Award-winning conductor Michael Christie is a thoughtfully innovative conductor, equally at home in the symphonic and opera worlds, who is focused on making the audience experience at his performances entertaining, enlightening and enriching. Deeply committed to bringing new works to life, he has championed commissions by leading and emerging composers. Christie served as Music Director of the Minnesota Opera (2012-18), Phoenix Symphony (2005-13), Brooklyn Philharmonic (2005-10) and Colorado Music Festival (2000-13), and as Chief Conductor of the Queensland Orchestra (2001-04) in Australia. For more information, visit michaelchristieonline.com.

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