Catch Me If You Can LIVE – The Reno Phil Presents “John Williams and Sibelius” This November
RENO, Nev (Oct 23 2026) — The Reno Phil continues its electrifying Classix Season with John Williams and Sibelius, a dynamic concert pairing bold contemporary voices with timeless symphonic grandeur. Under the direction of Music Director Laura Jackson, performances will take place November 8 and 9, 2025, at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts.
The program opens with Zhou Tian’s Transcend, a Reno Phil commission commemorating the 150th anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. This radiant work captures the boundless ambition and ingenuity that helped shape a nation, soaring with luminous textures and unstoppable spirit.
Then, two brilliant guest artists, saxophonist Timothy McAllister and principal percussionist Tennison Watts, take the spotlight for John Williams’ Escapades for Alto Saxophone and Vibraphone, a jazzy, high-energy thrill ride brimming with playfulness, intrigue, and unmistakable cinematic flair.
“Performing John Williams’ Escapades is pure joy,” said Timothy McAllister. “It’s a piece that bridges the worlds of jazz, film, and classical music—full of rhythm, color, and character. I’m thrilled to share this music with the Reno Phil and to bring its sense of adventure to life for the audience.”
In a special side-by-side performance, the Reno Phil Youth Symphony Orchestra joins the stage for Jean Sibelius’ Finlandia, a moving celebration of national pride that unites the next generation of musicians with the full Reno Phil orchestra.
“The side-by-side performance is one of the most inspiring moments of our season,” said Kylie Howard, Director of Education, Community Engagement & Inclusion. “It’s an incredible opportunity for our Youth Symphony musicians to sit shoulder-to-shoulder with professionals, experiencing the energy, discipline, and artistry of performing at that level. It shows them what’s possible — and reminds all of us why music education matters so deeply.”
The concert culminates in Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2 in D Major, one of the great masterpieces of the symphonic repertoire. Evoking vast Nordic landscapes and deep emotional resonance, the work builds toward a triumphant finale that embodies hope, resilience, and the power of the human spirit.
About the Reno Phil
The Reno Philharmonic is northern Nevada’s largest performing arts organization and a cornerstone of the region’s cultural life. Under the direction of Music Director Laura Jackson, the orchestra presents a vibrant season of classical, pops, and educational concerts, reaching thousands of audience members and students each year. The Reno Phil continues to inspire, unite, and uplift our community through the transformative power of live music.
About Timothy McAllister
Timothy McAllister, today’s most celebrated classical saxophonist, is an acclaimed soloist, soprano chair of the GRAMMY®-winning PRISM Quartet, and a leading champion of contemporary music, with over fifty recordings and more than two hundred world premieres to his credit. He has performed with over forty major orchestras across twenty countries, including the Chicago and BBC Symphony Orchestras, and is renowned for his collaborations with John Adams, notably on the GRAMMY®-winning City Noir recording. His recent work includes GRAMMY®-nominated recordings with the London Symphony and Berlin Philharmonic, as well as premieres with the Hong Kong Philharmonic, Brussels Philharmonic, and San Francisco Symphony. A dedicated educator, McAllister is Professor of Saxophone at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance and a frequent guest at festivals and masterclasses worldwide.