A Joyous Sound
May 16, 2026, 7:30 PM
The Zeiterion
Yaniv Dinur, conductor
Pedro da Silva, guitar
Chorus of Westerly
Chelsea Basler-Aston, soprano
Carrie Cheron, alto
Matthew Anderson, tenor
Thomas Cannon, bass
Pedro da Silva: Concerto for Portuguese Guitar and Orchestra
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 9
Two worlds meet in a concert of breathtaking contrast and shared humanity.
Virtuoso Pedro da Silva, who is based in New York City but was born in New Bedford, brings the shimmering voice of the Portuguese guitar to the forefront in his own Concerto for Portuguese Guitar and Orchestra—a spellbinding work that blends classical traditions with Iberian flair, improvisation, and global rhythms.
Beethoven’s monumental Symphony No. 9 (with 148 musicians and singers on stage) lifts the evening to transcendent heights. From its stirring opening to the triumphant “Ode to Joy” finale, this is music that celebrates unity, freedom, and the enduring power of the human spirit. This piece never fails to fill you with awe and hope.
A night where passion meets purpose—and joy resounds.
Note: We are delighted to welcome concertmaster candidate Francesca Anderegg as concertmaster for this evening’s performance.
Come Early for the Full Experience!
Make the most of your evening by arriving early to check out the pre-concert activities and settle into the rhythm of the night.
- 6:30 to 7:10 PM: The perfect prelude to A Joyous Sound! Experience a calming reset to help you slow down, ground yourself, and open your senses before the concert begins. Join us across the street at Sangha Yoga (entrance on the corner of Purchase and Spring Streets) for a gentle musical yoga experience featuring live cello performed by NBSO musician Sam Boundy. Please let us know you are coming by registering here. (It’s free, but space is limited!)
- 6:30 to 6:55 PM in the auditorium: Join Yaniv Dinur and guest artist Pedro da Silva for the always-popular pre-concert chat—a lively and insightful preview that deepens your connection and enhances your listening experience.
- 6:30 to 7:30 PM: Enjoy a cocktail in the main lobby bar and mingle with friends! The bar will be open for intermission as well.
Lobby doors open at 6:00 pm, auditorium doors open at 6:15 pm for those attending the pre-concert talk, and 6:55 pm for all ticket holders. Sangha Yoga is located on the corner of Purchase and Spring Streets. Symphony Circle Members and Business Partners will have access to the second-floor Bristol County Savings Bank Lounge starting at 6:30 PM.
Free Open Rehearsal
Friday, May 15, 4:00 – 6:30 PM in the Zeiterion Auditorium
Come see a working rehearsal, get a sneak peek of this weekend’s music, or relax and enjoy your favorite orchestra!
Seating is general admission, and no tickets or RSVP are required. A 20-minute break usually occurs between 5 and 5:30. Come and go as you please! To prevent disrupting the rehearsal process, we kindly ask that applause be reserved for the end of the session.
Rehearsal Schedule:
4:00 pm: Da Silva concerto with soloist
5:20 pm: Beethoven movements 1, 2, and 3 (no chorus or soloists)
Concert Sponsor:
NBSO 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 May 16, 2026, concert only. Please click here for the official 2025-2026 roster, which includes recognition of our valued musician chair supporters.
Francesca Anderegg
Bryce Martin
Theo Ramsey
Tessa Sacramone
Jennifer Memoli
Linda Scenna
Ming-hang Tam
Meghan O’Connor
Sean Larkin
Lino Tanaka
Violin II
Emmalee Holmes-Hicks
David Rubin
Nozomi Murayama
Fariba Hunold
Raluca Dumitrache
Yeonji Shim
Sophia Bernitz
Adam Jeffreys
Laura Gulley
Mina Lavcheva
Viola
Anna Griffis
Chris Nunn
Elisa Birdseye
Maureen Heflinger
Sam Kelder
Sofia Nikas
Sachin Shukla
Gillian Gallagher
Leo Eguchi
Soobin Kong
Peter Zay
Sam Boundy
Fabrizio Mazzetta
Stefan Gabriel
Holly Dyer
Bonnie Harlow
Double Bass
Peter Walsh
John Shiu
Kiefer Fuller
Luke Rogers
Caroline Samuels
Flute
Timothy Macri
Elzbieta Brandys-O
Piccolo
Caitlyn Schmidt
Oboe
Laura Shamu
Laura Schaefer
Michael Bellofatto
Paulina Dixon
Nicholas Rubenstein
Brianna Kirkland
Clarinet
Nick Brown
Margo McGowan
Contra Bassoon
Susannah Telsey
Bassoon
Rachel Juszczak
Brooke Allen
Trumpet
Andrew Sorg
Kyle Spraker
Geoffrey Shamu
Seth Budahl
Robert Hoveland
Bass Trombone
James Monaghan
Timpani
Eric Huber
Percussion
Dylan Barber
Gregory Simonds
Piero Guimaraes
Harp
Maria Spraker
Piano
Pei-yeh Tsai
Orchetra Personnel
Wesley Hopper
Orchestra Librarian
Andrés Almirall
Director of Concert Operations
Roberta Kennedy
CHORUS OF WESTERLY
ANDREW HOWELL Andrew Howell, Music Director
Mike Anderson
enjamin Baldwin
Erma Basila
John Bennett
Ginny Bitting
Harvey Blanchette
Tim Blevins
Soshannah Block
Susan Bosworth
Janelle Boucher
Audrey Cardany
Jennifer Chaffiotte
Kip Coerper
Janet Conte
Sami Deeb
Lara Dill
Deborah Dunham
Eric Dunham
Grace Gagnon
Alba Grandidge
Aura Grandidge
Sofia Grandidge
Michael Grillo
Ravi Hauser
Carley Heck
Meagan Hey
Maggie Hosford
Eli Hosford
Alison Hosford
Sadie Howell
Rowan Howell
Henry Howell
Melissa Kwan
Sophia Lamphere
James Larson
Maarja Larson
Noah LaValley
Deb Litterer
Susan Maguire
Isobel McCullough
Marty Minich
Jessica Morrissey
Lindsey Mullen
Debby Musto
Cassiopeia Nicolas
Simone Nunes-Düby
Seth Paradise
David Purrington
Mac Richardson
Alek Robbins
Dee Roberts
Randy Roorbach
Josh Saunders
Charlie Saunders
Elizabeth Saunders
Melena Schug
Kerstin Seitz-Müller
Clare Stone
Tori Sylvestre
Sage Sylvestre
Stephanie Szczepanski
AnneMarie Tavares
Jessica Tetlow
Samantha Tetlow
Jim Tiernan
Melinda Tyler
Dan Van Winkle
Christine Warren
Veronica Willetts
Nan Young
Wendy Zecchino
SING TO ME
October 12 &13, 2024, 3 PM
Special Additional Performance: Friday, October 11, 7 PM, New Bedford Whaling Museum
On October 11, join us in the Harbor View Gallery and stay for an after-concert reception to mingle with guests and musicians while enjoying hors D'oeuvres and spirits.
A dazzling vocal journey
Featuring Philip Lima, baritone
Many thanks to Patty Plum Wylde, whose generous Gift of Music has made this concert possible. She dedicates her gift to all teachers of music for their devotion to the art of making music eternal.
Ralph Vaughan Williams: Selections from Songs of Travel (arr. John Greer)
The Vagabond
Youth and Love
Whither Must I Wander?
Bright is the Ring of Words
I have Trod the Upward and the Downward Slope
Samuel Barber: Dover Beach, Op. 3
Charles Ives: Songs
The Children's Hour
Tom Sails Away
The Circus Band
Three Spirituals
Wade in the Water (arr. Anthony Green)
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (arr. H. T. Burleigh/Green)
Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho (arr. Cynthia Jackson/Green)
Joly Braga Santos: Piano Quartet in D Major, Op. 26
Joaquín Turina: The Toreador's Prayer, Op. 34
Jesse Holstein, violin
EmmaLee Holmes-Hicks, violin
Anna Griffis, viola
Leo Eguchi, cello
Janice Weber, piano
Lustrous baritone Philip Lima joins NBSO core musicians in an eclectic potpourri ranging from Ralph Vaughan Williams’s Songs of Travel and Samuel Barber’s Dover Beach to the earthy songs of Charles Ives and three spirituals. A piano quartet by Portuguese master Joly Braga Santos and The Toreador’s Prayer by Joaquín Turina offer interludes of instrumental poetry and brilliance.
Tickets are not available at the door.
If you click on the purchase tickets link and it states that tickets are not available and you do not see a blue "BUY" box, that means the concert is sold out.
If concerts sell out, you may request to be added to a waitlist by emailing asmith@nbsymphony.org by noon on the Friday prior to the concert.
Please note that our office hours are Monday - Friday, 9 am - 5 pm.
