The Nutcracker

46th Annual

Join us for this Bakersfield holiday tradition December 8-10th, 2023!

Friday, December 8th

7:30pm

Saturday, December 9th

1:00pm

Saturday, December 9th

7:30pm

Sunday, December 10th

1:00pm

Sponsorship Opportunities

Dear Friends and Supporters,

What better time of year to reminisce of Snowflakes and Sugar Plum Fairies, than after our first day of triple-digit weather? After being a part of this amazing and uplifting tradition, I’ve learned that when the weather gets hot, we really get into gear for Nutcracker. And after 8 years of using a reduced orchestra (or recording), with your help, we’re swinging for the fence and bringing back the full, original orchestration and voicing that Tchaikovsky composed.

What’s in a reduction? All the notes, but many of them are played in a different octave and/or on a different instrument. What difference does it make? An enormous one! When the trombones start a fast, descending scale in “Ribbon Candy,” instead of repeating, it continues down deep into the tuba. It sinks into your soul and launches the dancers into the next phrase like a springboard, In “Waltz of the Flowers,” when the melody is played by 4 perfectly balanced horns, fully voiced and reinforced by 3 trombones, instead of being played by 2 horns and 1 trumpet, it sends shivers up our spines and draws us deep into the expression of joy and beauty.

This is how we create capacity — the capacity in our community to understand, feel, and respond together. this is how we inspire to achieve excellence — by showing what’s possible when we work hard together, and succeed in a universally beneficial goal. This is what it looks like to uplift our community — all the different styles, families, and cultures. This is how we bring healing to one another, and cultivate a better tomorrow.

Please join me in nurturing our city with this wonderful and enriching holiday performance by giving a tax-deductible donation to support the Nutcracker Orchestra. We are working to cultivate our local talent in both dance and music, and 100% of the funds raised through this campaign with Bakersfield City Ballet support the live orchestra. By advertising in the program, joining with us in a social media campaign, donating for the orchestra, or buying tickets and attending, this expression of community becomes possible with your participation.

Sincerely,
Stephen C. Penner
Music Director
Bakersfield Nutcracker Orchestra
Make a donation
The Nutcracker Orchestra is sponsored by:
Sugar Plum Fairy ($15,000)
Nutcracker Prince ($5,000)
Clara ($2,500)
Drosselmeyer ($1,000)

Jim Burke Ford
Tom & Debbie Franchere
Tubular Inspection Co.

Snow Queen ($500)

William Brogdin
Randy & Nancy Coulter
Darrell Feil
Sandra Henriksen
Joe & Beth Nahama
Pacific Irrigation
Richard Penner

Fritz ($250)

Thomas Ackerley
David Gove
Pam Povlak
Rosemary's Family Creamery

Party Guest ($100)

Lorah Carroll
Mark & Christie Chambless
Law Office of James M. Duncan, APLC
Zulema Ela
Carissa Ghosh
Laurel McMahon
Suzzanne Paxton
Sydney Peterson
Seth Wilson

Bon Bon (<$100)

Linda Hofer
Melissa Howard
Nancy McKenny

News & Updates