May 19, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
Brahms: Symphony Nº 4
Moody Performance Hall
2520 Flora Street, Dallas, TX 75201
Richard McKay conducts this program featuring Debussy’s evocative Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, a shimmering portrait of dreamlike beauty. Laurel Gagnon, winner of the 2025 Dallas International Violin Competition then takes the stage for a concerto to be announced. The evening concludes with Brahms’s Symphony No. 4 — a noble, powerful, and deeply moving masterpiece.
$29-54 reserved seats
Program
Main event starts at 7:30 p.m.
Richard McKay conducts
Claude Debussy
Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun
Ernest Chausson
Poème
Laurel Gagnon, violin
Intermission
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No. 4 in E minor
Allegro non troppo
Andante moderato
Allegro giocoso
Allegro energico e passionato
Program duration:
110 minutes, including intermission
$29-54 reserved seats
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About the Artists
Laurel Gagnon, violin
Violinist Laurel Gagnon’s interpretations “sing with a naturalness that [is] both disarming and distinctive” (The Straits Times, Singapore, Singapore). She has performed across the United States, Europe, and Asia, currently residing in New Haven, Connecticut. Ms. Gagnon was awarded top prizes at the Elmar Oliveira and Singapore International Violin Competitions, and was invited to perform in the live rounds of the Queen Elisabeth Competition. Laurel’s teachers include Ben Sayevich, Mauricio Fuks, and Augustin Hadelich; a recent graduate of the Yale School of Music, Laurel will join Carnegie Hall’s Ensemble Connect fellowship program in September.
A passionate chamber musician, she made recent appearances at Halcyon Chamber Music Festival and Avaloch Farm Music Institute. Gagnon is also a member of the award-winning Vinola Trio, an ensemble consisting of clarinet, violin, and piano. The group curates programs of living composers, seeks to expand the trio repertoire, and brings attention to the lesser known works that are already written. Recently, the group completed teaching and performing residencies at Boston Conservatory and Truman State University. Grand prize winners of the Plowman Chamber Music Competition, the trio was a top prize winner at the MTNA National Chamber Music competition and a semifinalist at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition.
Laurel has worked extensively with Indiana University’s Center for Rural Engagement, bringing music into collaborative community spaces. Ms. Gagnon also taught extensively with Indiana University’s “Fairview Project” and the Yale School of Music’s “Music in Schools” community music project.
Richard McKay, music & artistic director
Richard McKay is a conductor of the symphonic and operatic repertory across the United States, Europe and South America. An established leader in the vibrant Dallas arts community, his recent performances have been hailed by critics as “spellbinding,” “finely paced,” and “perfectly shaped” (D Magazine and The Dallas Morning News).
McKay has worked with the Baltimore Symphony and Dallas Symphony, where he has assisted conductors Günther Herbig, Carlos Kalmar, Jaap van Zweden, and many others. He has led performances at the Aspen Music Festival where he was a fellowship conductor at the American Academy of Conducting. McKay has also conducted the Fort Worth Symphony, Dallas Opera Orchestra, Irving Symphony, Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, Mendoza Symphony, Estonian National Youth Symphony, and others. Other program highlights have included successful collaborations with Texas Ballet Theater and Bruce Wood Dance.
McKay holds a doctorate from the Peabody Conservatory where he trained with Gustav Meier, Markand Thakar, and Marin Alsop while serving as assistant conductor and chorus master of the Peabody Orchestras and Opera. He graduated with a Master of Music degree in orchestral conducting from The University of Texas at Austin, where he conducted performances at the Butler Opera Center and served as Music Director of the University Orchestra.