The Way of Passion
Bronspiegel Auditorium, New Bedford High School
Saturday, May 18, 7:30 PM
Yaniv Dinur, conductor
Sergei Babayan, piano
Sergei Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 2
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 “Pathétique”
Prokofiev’s second piano concerto has been described as “filled with wild passions” and Tchaikovsky gave his sixth symphony the name “Pathétique,” which from the original Russian is better translated as “passion, deep emotion.” In both these works, the composers plumb the depths of all that music can make us feel. Be prepared! The legendary Armenian-American pianist Sergei Babayan, known for his spontaneity and surprises at the keyboard, joins us for the first time.
Pre-Concert Fun Starts at 6:30 PM!
Express Your Inner Tchaikovsky
NBSO Education Director Terry Wolkowicz will have her keyboard with her and will be giving mini-lessons to teach you how to play the famous melody from the second movement of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6. NO PRIOR MUSICAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED! Terry guarantees she can teach anyone to play this beautiful five-beat melody. Be sure to capture it on video so you can impress your friends! From 6:30 to 7:25 in the auditorium lobby.
The Passion and the Beauty
NBSO Violinist Travis Rapoza will be strolling around and about playing the gorgeous melodies from Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6. There’s a good chance you will recognize every one of them. We guarantee you will love every one of them! Enjoy refreshments from the concessions stand, chat with friends, and be serenaded by Travis. From 6:30 to 7:25pm around and about the auditorium, lobby, and wherever else Travis wants to stroll.
Youth Orchestra Quartet Honoring Toby Monte
The NBSO’s youth orchestra program will have a quartet playing before the concert to honor Youth Orchestra Senior Conductor Tobias S. Monte who is retiring this year after 14 years at the helm. We all know Toby from the annual side-by-side performance at the NBSO’s Holiday Pops concerts. The NBSO will also be honoring Toby during the intermission of the concert.
FREE OPEN REHEARSAL
Friday, May 17, 4:00 – 6:30 PM
Seating is general admission, and no tickets or RSVP are required. Please note that this is a working rehearsal, and pieces may not be played in their entirety. A 20-minute break usually occurs between 5 and 5:30. Come and go as you please! Please save your applause for the end of pieces and/or rehearsal as to not interfere with the rehearsal process.
Rehearsal content:
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 2 (without soloist)
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 “Pathétique”
View the 2023-2024 Season Program Book below:
MUSICIAN ROSTER
Yaniv Dinur, Music Director
Music Director Sponsors: Allan and Priscilla Ditchfield, Susan and Dexter Mead
Please note: The following roster is a listing of the musicians for the October 18 and 19, 2025 concerts only. Please click here for the official 2025-2026 roster which includes recognition of our valued musician chair supporters.
Violin I
EmmaLee Holmes-Hicks
Bryce Martin
Theo Ramsey
Kyra Davies
Jennifer Memoli
Justin Ouellet
Kenneth Mok
Leah Zelnick
Violin II
Nozomi Murayama
Fariba Hunold
Jiuri Yu
Yeonji Shim
Susan Faux
Gregory Tompkins
Hanna O’Brien
Carrol Lee
Viola
Maureen Heflionger
Sachin Shukla
Elisa Birdseye
Rebecca Hallowell
Oleg Soloviev
Teresa Bloemer
Cello
Peter Zay
Holly Dyer
Fabrizio Mazzetta
Stefan Gabriel
Bonnie Harlow
Double Bass
Nathan Varga
Kiefer Fuller
Luke Rogers
Moises Carrasco
Flute
Timothy Macri, Principal
Caitlyn Schmidt
Piccolo
Elizabeth Brandys
Oboe
Laura Shamu
Laura Schaefer
Benjamin Fox
French Horn
Michael Bellofatto
Paulina Dixon
Virginia Morales
Brianna Kirlkand
Clarinet
Nicholas Brown
Mackenzie Austin
Bassoon
Rachel Juszczak
Gabe Ramey
Contra Bassoon
Dominic Panunto
Trumpet
Kyle Spraker
Geoffrey Shamu
Eric Rizzo
Trombone
Seth Budahl
Alex Knutrud
Bass Trombone
James Monaghan
Timpani
Eric Huber
Percussion
Dylan Barber
Gregory Simonds
Jeff Sagurton
William Manley
Mike Williams
Harp
Maria Spraker
Piano
Pei-yeh Tsai