MOVIES WITH THE MAESTRO

Folsom Lake Symphony’s season finale takes center stage with Movies with the Maestro, a Hollywood hit parade bringing to life the most legendary film scores from across the decades.

Feel the heart-pounding excitement of Rocky, the playful jazz of Catch Me If You Can, and the whimsical charm of Howl’s Moving Castle. Soar through space with the epic Main Title from Star Wars, then dive into the romantic melodies of La La Land and the sweeping grandeur of Lawrence of Arabia. Relive the timeless drama of Gone with the Wind before moving on with the jazzy, high-energy action of The Incredibles – plus many more iconic themes from the silver screen.

With critically acclaimed film scores spanning blockbuster history, this unforgettable season finale is a must-see event for movie lovers and music fans alike. Join us for a thrilling send-off to an incredible season—experience the magic of Hollywood live in concert!

Jonathan Hulting-Cohen’s saxophone performances as soloist and chamber musician have been considered “impressive” with “exceptional facility” (Schenectady Daily Gazette), and “fun to watch” (Oregon Arts Watch). He made his concerto debut with the Philadelphia Classical Symphony in 2011. Subsequent performances include concerti with the Adrian Symphony Orchestra, Stockton Symphony, Sequoia Symphony Orchestra , Chamber Music Northwest, Carnegie Hall, and the Virtuosi Concert Series in Winnipeg, Canada. He is co-founder of The Moanin’ Frogs saxophone sextet and the saxophone and harp duo Admiral Launch, whose debut records appeared on Teal Creek and Albany. Mr. Hulting-Cohen earned his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees at the University of Michigan under Donald Sinta. Mr. Hulting-Cohen is an Associate Professor of Saxophone at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Michael Downing is section percussionist with the Sacramento Philharmonic and the Stockton Symphony, as well as the founder of the Orphic Percussion Quartet. He is the Professor of Percussion at CSU Stanislaus and holds Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts degrees from Fresno State. An active freelance musician, he has performed with the San Francisco Symphony and virtually every orchestra in Central California. He has been the pit percussionist for many musicals including the Broadway tour of Wicked. Mr. Downing also enjoys teaching private lessons and giving clinics for local schools, as well as being an active member of the California Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society.

Special appearance by soprano Bianca Orsi

Bianca Orsi began studying Opera and Classical music at the age of 13 in her hometown of Northern CA. She has become a renowned soprano, performing in Opera’s, concerts, and many events all through the United States and México. Her most recent standout performance as Despina in Cosi fan tutte at Mendocino Music Festival received much praise and a standing ovation. Bianca performed in the role of Zamira, in the acclaimed Professional World Premiere opera Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Fallen Giant with Modesto Opera. She has performed at Opera Theatre St. Louis in Gianni Schicchi and as Adele in scenes from Die Fledermaus directed by James Robinson. She made her San Jose Opera debut as the second witch in Dido and Aeneas. As a soloist in the International Opera Festival of Morelia, ISOFOM, in México; she debuted her role as Nanetta in Giuseppe Verdi’s Falstaff. Bianca also sang Violetta from La Traviata, and Valentina from La Marchenera in concert performances. Bianca received great acclaim for her portrayal of La Princesse in L’enfant et les sortileges and Rosalia in the Musical Theater production of Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story. Ms. Orsi has also performed the role of Christine Daae in The Phantom of the Opera at the Stockton Symphony Concert Series.

Bianca holds a Master of Music in Vocal Arts from the University of Southern California, and a Bachelor of Music degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She currently studies with renowned soprano and teacher Sheri Greenawald and is mentored by renowned soprano Aprile Millo.