MOVIES WITH THE MAESTRO

Saturday, June 7, 2025, 7:30 pm
Sunday, June 8, 2025, 2:00 pm

Jonathan Hulting-Cohen, saxophone
Michael Downing, vibraphone

This Hollywood hit parade will bring you critically acclaimed film scores from blockbuster movies spanning many decades—everything from Gone with the Wind and Rocky to Star Wars and La La Land. PLUS as a special treat, a dynamic jazz duo will treat us to music from Catch Me if You Can—not to be missed!

Jonathan Hulting-Cohen’s performances as soloist and chamber musician have been considered “impressive” with “exceptional facility” (Schenectady Daily Gazette), and “fun to watch” (Oregon Arts Watch). He made his concerto debut with the Philadelphia Classical Symphony in 2011. Subsequent performances include concerti with the Adrian Symphony Orchestra , Stockton Symphony, Sequoia Symphony Orchestra , Chamber Music Northwest, Carnegie Hall, and the Virtuosi Concert Series in Winnipeg, Canada. He is co-founder of The Moanin’ Frogs saxophone sextet and the saxophone and harp duo Admiral Launch, whose debut records appeared on Teal Creek and Albany. Mr. Hulting-Cohen earned his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees at the University of Michigan under Donald Sinta. Mr. Hulting-Cohen is an Associate Professor of Saxophone at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Michael Downing is section percussionist with the Sacramento Philharmonic and the Stockton Symphony, as well as the founder of the Orphic Percussion Quartet. He is the Professor of Percussion at CSU Stanislaus and holds Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts degrees from Fresno State. An active freelance musician, he has performed with the San Francisco Symphony and virtually every orchestra in Central California. He has been the pit percussionist for many musicals including the broadway tour of Wicked. Mr. Downing also enjoys teaching private lessons and giving clinics for local schools, as well as being an active member of the California Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society.