Merced Symphony begins season with new conductor

The Merced Symphony opens its 2014-15 season on Saturday.

The concert will be the Symphony’s first under Ming Luke, its new conductor, said Judy Edwina Smith, president of the Symphony, in an email. “It is an exciting time for the symphony and we want people to welcome Ming to our community.”

The program will feature pieces from Bach, Mozart and Beethoven, the Symphony said in a news release. It will open with Mozart’s “The Magic Flute,” followed by Bach’s “Concerto for Violin and Oboe.” Soloists are Heather Powell and Jesse Barrett.

The second half of the program feature’s Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 5.”

This is the Symphony’s 57th year.

The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Merced Theatre, 301 W. Main St.

Tickets are $39 for adults and $14 for students. They are available at the box office or online at www.mercedtheatre.org.

This story was originally published October 26, 2014 at 5:05 PM with the headline "Merced Symphony begins season with new conductor."