The Nutcracker

47th Annual

Join us for this Bakersfield holiday tradition December 13-15th, 2024!

Friday, December 13th

7:30pm

Saturday, December 14th

1:00pm

Saturday, December 14th

7:30pm

Sunday, December 15th

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)
Gayle Batey
Clara ($2,500)
Drosselmeyer ($1,000)
Christmas in July Table ($800)

Boys and Girls Club of Bakersfield
Bakersfield City Ballet
BCB Parents

Snow Queen ($500)

Joe & Beth Nahama
Performer's Closet

Fritz ($250)
Party Guest ($100)
Bon Bon (<$100)

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