Press Release – 10.4.25 Opening Night
FFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra Opens 2025-2026 Season on October 4th with “Voyage of Passion: Elgar and Beyond”
Music Director Toshiyuki Shimada Begins His 16th Season with Featured Soloist Nicholas Hammel
The Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra (ECSO) will launch its highly anticipated 2025-2026 season with “Voyage of Passion: Elgar and Beyond” on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 7:30 PM at the historic Garde Arts Center in New London. Under the dynamic leadership of Music Director and Conductor Toshiyuki Shimada, now in his 16th season, the orchestra will present an evening of passionate and spirited works that take you on a journey through three centuries and multiple continents.
Featured Soloist: Nicholas Hammel
The concert will showcase Nicholas Hammel, winner of the 2025 ECSO Instrumental Competition, performing Sir Edward Elgar’s magnificent Violin Concerto. Violinist Nick Hammel is currently pursuing his Master of Musical Arts in Violin Performance under Ani Kavafian at the Yale School of Music. He has earned degrees at other institutions such as the University of Texas at Austin and the New England Conservatory, studying with Sandy Yamamoto and Donald Weilerstein. He has soloed with orchestras such as the Richardson Symphony, Austin Civic Orchestra, and the University of Texas Symphony Orchestra. Nick was also a semi-finalist in the 2022 Young Texas Artists Music Competition and the 2022 Jefferson Symphony Young Artists Competition. Most recently, Nick won first prize in the 2022 Ann & Charles Eismann Young Artists Competition.
Nick is also an active chamber music performer, and has performed with artists such as Sandy Yamamoto, Bion Tsang, Andrew Brownell, and Anton Nel. His piano trio, Trio Sponte, won the Grand Prize at the 2024 Coltman Chamber Music Competition. They were also the 2023-24 Honors Ensemble at New England Conservatory.
Exciting Program
The evening’s program features four works that share a unique distinction—each had its premiere with the composer conducting in the great musical capitals of Europe.
- Johann Strauss II’s “Spanish March,” Op. 433 – Originally dedicated to the regent of Spain, María Cristina, and first performed in Vienna on October 21, 1888
- Sir Edward Elgar’s Violin Concerto in B Minor – A deeply personal and passionate work that established Elgar as one of Britain’s greatest composers
- Johannes Brahms’s Haydn Variations – Also known as the Saint Anthony Variations, featuring eight brilliant variations on a theme mistakenly attributed to Joseph Haydn
- Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnol – A five-movement suite that brilliantly showcases the orchestra
About the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra
The Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra’s mission is to inspire, educate, and connect communities through live orchestral music. Under Toshiyuki Shimada’s distinguished leadership, the ECSO has become a cornerstone of the region’s cultural landscape, presenting world-class performances that bring together exceptional musicians and devoted audiences.
Concert Details
What: Voyage of Passion: Elgar and Beyond
When: Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 7:30 PM (doors open at 6:30 PM)
Where: Garde Arts Center, 325 State Street, New London, CT 06320
Tickets: $32 to $84 plus fees
Season Subscriptions Available
ECSO invites music lovers to join their season ticket holder family and experience the magic of live orchestral music throughout the 2025-2026 season. Season subscribers enjoy exclusive perks, the best seats, and unforgettable performances while supporting the arts in the Eastern Connecticut region.
Contact
For season tickets and complete program information, visit ectsymphony.com or call (860) 443-2876.
For single tickets go to gardearts.org.
Media Contact:
Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra
Phone: (860) 443-2876
Website: ectsymphony.com
Email: [email protected]