Hillsdale College Symphony Orchestra Performs Fall Concert
Hillsdale native and College alumnus Nicholas Nestorak performed with the orchestra following his Metropolitan Opera debut.
HILLSDALE, Mich. — The Hillsdale College Symphony Orchestra performed its second concert of the season in Christ Chapel on Saturday, Nov. 23. The concert featured Antonı́n Dvořák’s Symphony No. 7 in D minor, Op. 70 as well as an appearance by guest tenor soloist Nicholas Nestorak, a 2011 College alumnus and Hillsdale native who recently made his Metropolitan Opera debut.
“It was a joy to welcome Nick back to Hillsdale, and his performance with the orchestra was spectacular,” said James A Holleman, music director of choirs and orchestras. “The amount of pride I experienced during his performance must have been doubled by the community and tripled by his parents and family. It is such a joy to bring back a student we worked with for his formative undergraduate four years to experience the professional level he has achieved. His performance was an inspiration to our current students of what is possible.”
The amount of pride I experienced during his performance must have been doubled by the community and tripled by his parents and family.
Nestorak joined the Metropolitan Opera roster in 2021, making his Met début last season as Pang in their lavish production of “Turandot.” Nestorak is a graduate of Hillsdale High School, Hillsdale College, and The University of Michigan. He was a member of the Hillsdale College Symphony Orchestra, College Choir, and Chamber Choir and participated in the Opera Workshop program. He is continuing his opera career and work with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.
Nestorak joined the orchestra in selections from several operas: “Così fan tutte” by Mozart, “Rigoletto” by Giuseppe Verdi, and “La bohème” and “Turandot” by Giacomo Puccini.
The orchestra also performed “Two Portraits,” Op. 5, by Béla Bartók, featuring violin soloist junior Michael Berry. Berry performed on a Nicolo Amati violin. A gift from David and Bonnie Joy Hough in 2022, the Amati is part of the Hillsdale Hough Collection of Rare String Instruments.
For photos from previous performances in Christ Chapel, click here.
For a high-resolution copy of the Hillsdale College clocktower logo, click here.