19th Annual
Zion Chamber Orchestra Festival
Paul Kimball – Music Director & Conductor
January 12, 19, 31


Welcome to the 19th annual Zion Chamber Orchestra Festival. Here in our intimate setting you will experience live music up close and personal! The sound surrounds and envelopes you in the Santuary of Zion Lutheran Church (just three blocks south of Lincoln Center). We have excellent professional musicians from our local area that have devoted much of their lives to the craft. Local singers produce beauty and entertainment. Our audiences are sophisticated and appreciative of great music. Our donors love Stockton and want to see good things happen! Thank you! Below you will find our 2020 Festival lineup. Enjoy the music! – Paul
Concert #1 – Zion Chamber Orchestra
5 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020
Tom Coyan – Piano Soloist
Max Simoncic – Commissioned Composer
Samuel Barber – Adagio for Strings
Arguably Barber’s best known piece, it is arranged for string orchestra from the second movement of his String Quartet, Op. Barber finished the arrangement in 1936. It is one of the most recognizable pieces of classical music in the world. It’s become America’s semi-official music for mourning, used at Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s funeral and after JFK’s assassination. But somewhere along the way, it went from an anthem of sadness to one of joy.
Max Simoncic Concerto for Jazz Piano and Chamber Orchestra
Tom plays all styles of music with flare be it Jazz, Classical, Theater or Pop. Max has composed a piece which incorporates Tom versatility and fuses in our Orchestra.
Dvorak – Serenade for Strings in E Major
5 Movements of singing strings. Dvorak’s melodious sound brings out the inherent beauty of our strings. This is one of the most popular works in the Chamber orchestra repertoire.
Concert #2 – Zion Chamber Orchestra
5 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020
Frank Wiens – Piano Soloist
Handel – Music for The Royal Fireworks
Exciting Baroque Brass, Woodwinds, Strings and percussion. Motor rhythm, fanfares and catchy tunes take us back to England in 1749 as we entertain the King of England and his subjects with fireworks in celebration.
Rachmaninoff – Vocalise
Rachmaninoff adapted his own piece for voice and piano as soloistic music for orchestra. The mesmerizing, wordless tune is passed from instrument to instrument in flowing rapture.
Rachmaninoff – Piano Concerto #2
One of the greatest piano concertos in the repertoire. Rachmaninoff composed the piece as therapy for his depression. It is truly the definition of romantic feeling in both the overwhelming soundscape and intimate sincerity. A true masterpiece. Frank Wiens is one of the world’s greatest pianists and we are delighted to have him back. He is a local treasure with a worldwide reputation.
Click here to read about special guest Frank Wiens
Concert #3 – Zion Pops Choir
7:30 p.m., Friday, Jan 31, 2020
A Tribute to Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand and Fred Astaire
Tom Coyan – Piano
An enjoyable evening of choir and soloists singing music that salutes three of the greatest performers of all time! Singers from all over San Joaquin County form snappy and exciting vocal ensemble that is entertaining and inspiring!
Click here to read about special guest Tom Coyan
