A vibrant cultural celebration dating back 3,000 years 

Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is much like a family reunion, featuring lively celebrations, feasts, music, and age-old traditions—except deceased loved ones are the guests of honor.

Observed throughout Latin America—but most strongly associated with Mexico where the holiday originated—the tradition features ancient Aztec ritual combined with the Catholicism introduced to the region by Spanish conquistadores.  From Oct 31 to Nov 2, families arrange a candlelit altar in their homes so spirits can find their way back to their relatives. The altar also offers favorite foods and cherished belongings (such as a book or musical instrument) of the deceased. Then, families visit the graves of their loved ones and throw a big party: Tombstones are polished, there’s music, feasting, drinking, and dancing. Though Día de los Muertos has evolved since its Aztec roots more than 3,000 years ago, the immortal aspect of this tradition is a joyful time that helps people remember the deceased and celebrate their memory.

Join the San Francisco Symphony for a vibrant fall tradition at Davies Symphony Hall as we kick off a fun-filled Día de los Muertos event for the entire family, featuring the Grammy award-winning Colombian ensemble Monsieur Periné, along with colorful festivities and folk art, Nov 2.

San Francisco Symphony • Davies Symphony Hall
201 Van Ness Avenue • San Francisco, CA 94102

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New Album from the San Francisco Symphony 

Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony add an evocative recording of Ives’ songful Symphonies Nos. 3 and 4 to the SFS Media label’s Grammy award-winning discography. With nineteenth-century Americana spirit, MTT, the SF Symphony, pianist Peter Dugan, and the SFS Chorus’ musical candor and clarity make for a “gloriously gut-punching” (San Francisco Chronicle) live-concert recording—available now on studio master-quality SACD, digital download, and streaming.

“At its core, the music of Charles Ives is an expression of the heart and soul of America. The complexity of Ives’ rhythmic and harmonic ideas was very much ahead of his time, and, even as he was often labeled eccentric by his peers, he created a uniquely American sound. My aim with this album is to reveal the true essence of Ives’ music in order to allow the audience to see American through his eyes.”

—Michael Tilson Thomas

San Francisco Symphony • Davies Symphony Hall
201 Van Ness Avenue • San Francisco, CA 94102

Box Office Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat Noon-6pm, Sun 2 hours prior to concerts
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Music, Marathons, and Martinis

SFS Principal Trombone Timothy Higgins loves the sense of community the San Francisco Symphony fosters, but he believes it’s also important to break free from the world of music on occasion.

“I find I need to have a place that is not steeped in music to go to sometimes, to kind of clear my mind or sort through my thoughts.”

That’s when Tim trades his trombone for a pair of running shoes and takes to the asphalt. Hardly the  casual athlete, he’s competed in four marathons and several half marathons. Besides the obvious health benefits, Tim notes the oft-forgotten added perk: “[running] gives me an excuse to go drink wine and eat. I feel like they feed each other.”

An avid explorer of San Francisco’s thriving cocktail scene, Tim has a hidden talent for creating tasty beverages behind the bar himself. This knack for concocting delicious things seems only natural for someone so adept at composing equally delectable music, such as his unexpectedly flavorful combination of the marimba, trombone and harpsichord in his piece,Altemusik. “I feel like my job as a composer is to create something that will hopefully have its own life afterwards.” That’s why great music—and great cocktails—should be savored slowly. And audiences certainly appear to savor Higgins.

San Francisco Symphony • Davies Symphony Hall
201 Van Ness Avenue • San Francisco, CA 94102

Box Office Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat Noon-6pm, Sun 2 hours prior to concerts
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Two prismatic stars light up the SF Symphony stage    

Megan Hilty originally explored a career in opera. Instead, her voice found its home on Broadway, portraying iconic characters from Glinda the Good Witch to Marilyn Monroe. Cheyenne Jackson was working as an ad executive at a magazine until a life-changing career switch to performing. His concerts have sold out Carnegie Hall—twice!

Hilty got her big break on Broadway when she landed her acclaimed role as Glinda in the hit musical Wicked, and went on to perform in Broadway’s 9 to 5: The Musical. On television, Hilty starred in the award-winning musical drama series, Smash as Ivy Lynn, an actress who is desperate to land the role of Marilyn Monroe. In an amusing twist, Hilty did play Monroe when she got the part of Lorelei Lee in a stage production of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes—with The New York Times rating her performance on par with that of Marilyn Monroe.

Jackson originated the role of Matthew in the musical satire Altar Boyz, the 9th longest-running Off-Broadway musical of all time. Jackson’s first leading role on Broadway was in All Shook Up, in which he sang and performed as a character based on Elvis, and earned an award for Outstanding Broadway Debut. He has appeared in a number of films, including the Oscar-nominated United 93, along with guest roles in TV series such as 30 Rock, and Glee, and has starred in the popular American Horror Story series since 2015.  

Don’t miss your chance to experience these phenomenal singers and performers on stage when Megan Hilty and Cheyenne Jackson lend their voices to a festive concert of holiday hits, Dec 4, Davies Symphony Hall.

The SF Symphony does not appear in this performance.

San Francisco Symphony • Davies Symphony Hall
201 Van Ness Avenue • San Francisco, CA 94102

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The Majestic Magnitude   

Holiday magic at the San Francisco Symphony    

Celebrate the holidays with the SF Symphony and enjoy a variety of festive concerts with something for everyone—from the power and precision of Holiday Brass, film favorite Love Actually with live orchestra, the beloved classic A Charlie Brown Christmas, to New Year’s Eve with Seth MacFarlane—it’s the perfect way to make the season bright.

Explore the lineup of upcoming concerts and get your tickets today!  

San Francisco Symphony • Davies Symphony Hall
201 Van Ness Avenue • San Francisco, CA 94102

Box Office Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat Noon-6pm, Sun 2 hours prior to concerts
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Chinese New Year 20th Anniversary Celebration   

Featuring luminous guest stars, traditional lion dancing, and cutting-edge multimedia elements, the SF Symphony’s annual Chinese New Year Celebration began as a way to bridge East and West, old and new, through the universal language of music. This year’s celebration marks the 20th anniversary of the Orchestra’s signature heritage event.

Beginning as both a musical celebration of the Lunar New Year and San Francisco’s unique cultural fabric, the SF Symphony’s first Chinese New Year event took place in 2001 with author Amy Tan reading from her children’s book The Chinese Siamese Cat—accompanied by projected illustrations of Gretchen Schields’ artwork and original music by Nathan Wang. Since then, Chinese New Year concerts have hosted an exceptional roster of acclaimed artists, including soprano Manhua Gao in 2003, 18-year-old piano prodigy Yuja Wang in 2006, superstar violinist Ray Chen in 2011, and percussionist Haruka Fujii in 2016. In addition to being a dazzling cultural celebration and beloved annual tradition, proceeds from the concert support the SF Symphony’s myriad music education and community programs, which reach more than 75,000 Bay Area students each year. Welcome the Lunar New Year with a vibrant celebration of Asian traditions, past and present, at the SF Symphony’s 20th annual Chinese New Year concert, Feb 1 at 5pm, Davies Symphony Hall. 

San Francisco Symphony • Davies Symphony Hall
201 Van Ness Avenue • San Francisco, CA 94102

Box Office Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat Noon-6pm, Sun 2 hours prior to concerts
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Symphony Sweethearts 

For the last 14 years, SFS Principal Flute Tim Day and SFS Associate Principal Flute Robin McKee have performed beautiful music together as husband and wife. The fact that Tim and Robin secured top-tier jobs as flutists in the same city—let alone the same major orchestra—is incredible. Even more incredible? They’ve managed to pull this off twice! A perfect Valentine’s story.

The pair met while students at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, and married shortly after graduation. After working for two different orchestras in two different cities, Tim and Robin played in the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra for six years.

Then, a great new opportunity arose. Robin headed west to play flute with the San Francisco Symphony. They were bi-coastal for three years, until Tim joined the faculty at the SF Conservatory of Music, where he still teaches. Twenty years later, he became San Francisco Symphony Principal Flute, and—for the second incredible time—he and Robin were reunited as the top flutists in a major American orchestra, and have been tunefully together ever since. “It’s great because we can be each other’s ears,” says Robin. For Tim, Robin is the only other pair of ears he trusts. “She’ll tell me the bad stuff,’ Tim says. “And he tells me the good stuff,” Robin adds, “So it all works out very well.”

San Francisco Symphony • Davies Symphony Hall
201 Van Ness Avenue • San Francisco, CA 94102

Box Office Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat Noon-6pm, Sun 2 hours prior to concerts
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Strung Together

As a small child, Kelly-Leon Pearce (pictured above) snatched her sister Suzanne’s violin away and started playing it in class?incredibly, the teacher insisted that Kelly start lessons at the tender age of 2 1/2! As SF Symphony violinists since 1989 (Kelly) and 1990 (Suzanne), it’s safe to say that neither sister has put the instrument down since.

Becoming fledgling musicians so young definitely had its perks growing up. “If we were practicing, my parents would excuse us from doing dishes after meals,” Kelly recalls. The two sisters also ensured their home never suffered a dull moment: “It was quite a robust sounding house,” says Kelly, “and we had music going on all hours of the day and night!.” “We would all be practicing at the same time,” Suzanne adds, “and not all the rooms had doors separating them.”

Though neither of the sisters’ parents plays an instrument, music?and the SF Symphony?is still very much a family affair: Their other sister Stephanie is a pianist, whileSuzanne is married to former SFS Principal Second Violin Dan Smiley, and his sister’s family includes Sarn Oliver and Mariko Smiley, also SFS violinists. Before becoming members, Kelly persuaded Suzanne to move back to the US from Paris (where she performed concerts) to audition for the SF Symphony in order to be closer together. Impressively, they both won the highly-competitive audition and have been performing together ever since.  

San Francisco Symphony • Davies Symphony Hall
201 Van Ness Avenue • San Francisco, CA 94102

Box Office Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat Noon-6pm, Sun 2 hours prior to concerts
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CURRENTS Episodes I-IV Available Now

It's been a joyful and inspiring experience for us to collaborate with so many incredible artists and musicians through our four-part video and podcast series,?CURRENTS. Together with host/curator Michael Morgan and our San Francisco Symphony musicians, we've experienced a rich mosaic of musical communities through the voices and viewpoints of Bay Area creators and citizens. We hope you've enjoyed this journey as much as we have!

All four full episodes are available to watch now at?sfsymphony.org/CURRENTS.

Episode I: Enter the Pipa?Explore how the stories, sounds, and traditions of San Francisco's Chinese community speak to the American experience.

Episode II: Bay Area Blue Notes?Explore the freedom, movement, and profound expression of Jazz.

Episode III: From Scratch?Explore how art and activism play out in Oakland's dynamic Hip Hop culture.

Episode IV: ?Viva M?xico!?Explore the interconnected narrative of Mexico's multi-generational musical culture.

Each CURRENTS video episode is accompanied by a rich assortment of related resources: The CURRENTS Podcast features a deeper dive into themes examined?in video episodes?while?CURRENTS Explore & Create is a fun and interactive look behind the music.

Pour yourself a glass, listen, and learn: The San Francisco Symphony presents Music History Happy Hour, a new series of online talks hosted by distinguished musicologist and Symphony Program Annotator?James Keller.

The latest installment in this series provides a closer look at Beethoven as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of his birth this year. Keller will be joined by members of the SF Symphony to share stories and provide historical background on this monumental composer.

Music History Happy Hour is available to donors at the Friends level and above ($75+). We invite you to learn more about donor benefits and opportunities at sfsymphony.org/membership. Please contact us at support@sfsymphony.org or 415.503.5444 with any questions.

Celebrate Latino Hispanic Heritage Month virtually with the Mexican Museum. The "Museum from Home" program includes a series of online exhibitions, including a new collective exhibition entitled ENDEMISMO, in which several generations of artists living and working in Oaxaca illustrate the Tehuac?n-Cuicatl?n Valley.?Celebrate the multiplicity of Latino art with us at?mexicanmuseum.org.

ESA-PEKKA SALONEN
MUSIC DIRECTOR

Throwback to MTT's Debut Season   

We are celebrating 25 years of Michael Tilson Thomas as Music Director of the San Francisco Symphony. We hope you enjoy these archival spotlights as we share some of our most memorable moments with MTT, whose leadership and artistic vision has inspired our community and music lovers around the world.

In August 1995, The San Francisco Examiner welcomed the arrival of the San Francisco Symphony's eleventh Music Director, Michael Tilson Thomas. In an Examiner profile published that month, music critic Allan Ulrich heralded MTT's much-anticipated arrival in San Francisco, calling it "the most significant appointment among American orchestras in the 1990s." MTT's vision of expanding what an Orchestra does and can do surprised and thrilled audiences throughout his debut season in 1995, an artistic vision that he continued to evolve for more than two decades. 

A Message to Our Community 

We hope you and yours remain safe, healthy, and optimistic. Over the past few weeks, we have found solace in Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas' words: "Music, for all our lives, has offered us a refuge and a haven in which we can remember our most important values and qualities-qualities about being human, like compassion and comfort."

Although our concerts are on pause for now, our music and stories can bring comfort to us all. Explore hours of free content at sfsymphony.org/musicconnects, including Keeping Score documentaries and concert films, broadcasts, recordings, podcasts, and more! If you would like to help support the San Francisco Symphony during these challenging times, please visit sfsymphony.org/give today.      

1,800 Thank Yous!

Whether working alone or joining forces, 1,800 dedicated volunteers touch every aspect of the San Francisco Symphony experience. From membership groups, education, and special events, to advocacy, major fundraising, and more, the scope and impact of our volunteers is profoundly felt, especially now. From everyone at the San Francisco Symphony, thank you so much for your unparalleled year-round support: We couldn't do it without you! 

A heartfelt thanks and congratulations to our four Volunteer of the Year awardees below, who were nominated by their peers and selected by our Volunteer of the Year Committee, chaired by Ellie Pollak. We promise a proper celebration of all our outstanding volunteers at our Volunteer Appreciation event when Davies Symphony Hall opens its doors once again.

• Pamela Culp, San Francisco League
• Sue Fross, Metropolitan League
• Ashley Mishoe, SF Symphony Music for Families Chair and Symphonix League member
• Sepi Wood, SF Symphony Volunteer Usher

If you would like to become a San Francisco Symphony volunteer, please call 415.503.5500 or email volunteercouncil@sfsymphony.org.

Tuesday nights with
MTT and the SF Symphony

While our live performances are on pause for now, KDFC and the San Francisco Symphony are partnering to ensure the music plays on via encore radio broadcasts of some of our favorite performances with Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas. These encore radio broadcasts will air every Tuesday night at 8pm on Classical KDFC 90.3 San Francisco, 104.9 San Jose, 89.9 Napa, and at kdfc.com, and will be available for on-demand streaming?for 21 days following the broadcast.

Tune in tonight, April 14 at 8pm, to hear Mahler's Symphony No. 7 in an epic performance that earned MTT and the SF Symphony the Classical Album of the Year Grammy as part of their SFS Media Mahler Project recording cycle.

MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS, MUSIC DIRECTOR

San Francisco Symphony . Davies Symphony Hall
201 Van Ness Avenue . San Francisco, CA 94102

Box Office hours (email and phone only):
Mon-Fri 10am-6pm

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The San Francisco Symphony thanks you for the many expressions of concern and support we have received from our community. If you would like to help support the San Francisco Symphony during these challenging times, please donate today.

Little Gifts to Make Your Season Bright? ??

Introducing A New Voice App

The SF Symphony is now only a few words away with our brand new voice app! Just ask your smart speaker to "play a moment of joy" and the Symphony will bring you a curated weekly song that is sure to bring a smile to your face.?

When trying it for the very first time, say "Alexa, enable San Francisco Symphony."?Then just say "Alexa...ask San Francisco Symphony to play me a moment of Joy."

'Tis the Season for collaboration!

Enjoy this intergalactic performance of Mason Bates' 'Mothership' by the SF Symphony Youth Orchestra, led by Daniel Stewart, Wattis Foundation Music Director of the Youth Orchestra.

Peter and the Wolf

From Robin Williams and Michael Tilson Thomas, to Zachary Quinto and Dulce Sloan, we look back at the iconic Peter and the Wolf?narrators that have shaped this SF Symphony tradition over the decades.

Presenting the Instrument of the Month! In December, we spotlight the violin, featuring SF Symphony violinist Polina Sedukh. Get to know the violin.

''Tis the season to remember Louise M. Davies, the generous benefactor for whom our beloved concert hall is named & who helped kick off the first Deck the Hall celebration 40 years ago.

Take a walk down memory lane and relive the charm of our Deck the Hall designs from the past 40 seasons. Check out this year''s performance and activities.

Hope you enjoy this stocking stuffer gift: A package of SF Symphony-style Zoom backgrounds for you to enjoy, whether you''re catching up with family or with your favorite co-workers!

Remember to go to sfsympony.org/tistheseason and follow us on Instagram and Facebook to enjoy these gifts all month long!

A Message to Our Community    

In this time of uncertainty, one thing remains constant: Our deepest gratitude for the dedication and support of each and every member of the San Francisco Symphony family. 

We believe that music uplifts and helps make connections between people at home and around the globe. We look forward to welcoming you back to Davies Symphony Hall as soon as we can safely and responsibly re-open our doors to the community. 

We appreciate the many expressions of concern and support we have received from our community. Even though our live performances are paused for now, we at the San Francisco Symphony are working together to keep the music playing online. If you would like to help support our Orchestra during these challenging times, please visit sfsymphony.org/give today.

Copland's Third Symphony: Music of Hope    

Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony add a new SFS Media recording of Aaron Copland''s Third Symphony to their Grammy-winning discography.

Completed in 1946, the Third Symphony was described by the composer as an "end-of-war piece?intended to reflect the euphoric spirit of the country at the time." Renowned as a champion of pioneering American composers such as Aaron Copland, MTT says, "What can you say in summation of a man like Aaron Copland? Everything about him marked him as an outsider, and somehow he found a way to be true to himself, his art, and his society." Featuring the stirring theme from Fanfare for the Common Man in its fourth movement, Copland's Third Symphony evokes a refreshing hope and idealism with its grand soundscapes, reflective and lyrical slow movement, and powerful finale?music of solace and comfort that befits our challenging times.

Recorded live at Davies Symphony Hall, this digital-only album is available now for download in high quality, 24-bit/192kHz Studio Master, and for streaming via all major retailers. For more information, program notes, and a video including performance footage, visit sfsymphony.org/copland.

MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS, MUSIC DIRECTOR

San Francisco Symphony . Davies Symphony Hall
201 Van Ness Avenue . San Francisco, CA 94102

Box Office Hours (phone and emails only): Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat Noon-6pm
(415) 864-6000 . messages@sfsymphony.org

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Photo credit: Brandon Patoc
*Offer expires March 31, 2020. Exclusions apply, please see website for full details.

Small Gifts to Make Your Season Bright? ??

Superstar violinist Hilary Hahn, together with SF Symphony violinist Chen Zhao & his daughter, bring us 26 seconds of joy from Hilary''s performance of Mozart''s 5th Violin Concerto, complete with her own cadenzas.

Enjoy 2.5 minutes of enchanting wintery bliss as Associate Principal Trumpet Aaron Schuman & his mom Susan Schuman bring us a stunning socially-distant performance of Come All Ye Faithful.?

Enjoy?White Christmas?performed by SF Symphony musicians from our Deck the Hall virtual celebration. Grab some hot cocoa, your fuzziest santa hat, and enjoy!?

We''ve curated a 10 Classical Pieces to Get You in the Holiday Spirit?playlist! With selections from Eric Whitacre to Joshua Bell, we''ve got you covered with a perfect mix of music to get you through winter.?

From our family to yours, we wish you a Happy Hanukkah & New Year. Enjoy Bashana Haba'a (Next Year) by Nurit Hirsch with lyrics by Ehud Manor, performed by SF Symphony violinist Melissa Kleinbart, her daughter Lydia and Principal Oboe Eugene Izotov and his sons Ralph and Samuel.?

On the second day of Hanukkah we were thrilled to bring you an authentic performance of Klezmer music. Enjoy Kolomeyke?by Mark Kovnatskiy, with by SF Symphony violinist (& avid Klezmer musician) David Chernyavsky, Associate Principal Bass Daniel Smith and accordionist Rob Reich.

Hold on tight: Presenting Nico Muhly's extraordinary new work,?Throughline, featuring SF Symphony musicians, Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen and 8 Collaborative Partners filmed in locations around the world.

"Playing viola on the stage of Davies Symphony Hall is a dream come true." SF Symphony violist Matt Young shares how music led him from family farm to Davies Symphony Hall stage & the importance of music in our community.?

Remember to go to sfsympony.org/tistheseason and follow us on Instagram and Facebook to enjoy these gifts all month long!