Event
Alexander Conducts The Planets
Naples Philharmonic Masterworks
Naples Philharmonic
Alexander Shelley, artistic and music director
Clara-Jumi Kang, violin
Women of the Naples Philharmonic Chorus
Jeremy T. Warner, director
Nokuthula Ngwenyama — Primal Message
Britten — Violin Concerto
Holst — The Planets
Join Artistic and Music Director Alexander Shelley and the Naples Philharmonic for a Masterworks season finale that explores the cosmos and our place within it. The journey begins with Nokuthula Ngwenyama’s Primal Message, a luminous work that imagines a first communication with extraterrestrial life as a reflection of human kindness and intelligence. Renowned violinist Clara-Jumi Kang then takes center stage for Britten’s demanding Violin Concerto, where a soaring solo line unfolds against a backdrop of Spanish-inspired intensity. The program — and the 2026-27 Masterworks series — culminates in Holst’s iconic orchestral suite The Planets, featuring the women of the Naples Philharmonic Chorus in a striking exploration of the human psyche and the celestial beyond.
Prelude at 6:30pm
Join the conductor before the performance for an insightful 30-minute prelude discussion about the program.
Music and Museum
All Masterworks tickets include same-day admission to The Baker Museum. Museum hours on day of performance: 10am-7:30pm. In addition, the doors to Hayes Hall will open 90 minutes prior to this performance. Arrive early to enjoy the exhibitions and light fare available at Heidi's Place.
The Artistic and Music Director position is generously endowed by Sharon and Timothy Ubben.
Naples Philharmonic
Naples Philharmonic
Founded in 1982, the Naples Philharmonic normally performs over 140 orchestral and chamber concerts, as well as opera and ballet, education, community and special event concerts from September through June each year.
Meet the Musicians
Alexander Shelley
Artistic and Music Director Meet Alexander
Jack Everly
Principal Pops Conductor Meet Jack
James Ehnes
Artistic Partner Meet James
Manuel López-Gómez
Associate Conductor Meet Manuel
Alexander Shelley
Alexander Shelley
Sharon and Timothy Ubben Artistic and Music Director
Alexander Shelley was named Sharon and Timothy Ubben artistic and music director in April 2023. He begins his tenure in this role in the 2024-25 season following a successful designate year in 2023-24 and will continue in the role through the end of the decade. As artistic and music director of Artis—Naples, Alexander provides artistic leadership for the entire multidisciplinary organization, including The Baker Museum and the Naples Philharmonic.
This appointment marks Alexander’s first titled position in the U.S. In addition to his role with Artis—Naples, the 2026-27 season marks his first year as principal conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra Ireland and music director of the Pacific Symphony. He continues to serve as principle associate conductor of London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra — a position he has held since 2015.
Meet Alexander
Clara-Jumi Kang
Clara-Jumi Kang
Internationally renowned for her musicality and virtuosity, Clara-Jumi Kang has received numerous awards and accolades, including First Prize at the Indianapolis International Violin Competition in 2010, the Sendai Violin Competition, and the Seoul Violin Competition. Her cycle of Beethoven Violin Sonatas with pianist Sunwook Kim has received outstanding reviews and nominations.
Recent career highlights include festival appearances at the BBC Proms, performing the Mozart Sinfonia Concertante at the Hollywood Bowl alongside the Los Angeles Philharmonic as well as a debut at the Salzburg Festival under Andrew Manze. In recent seasons, she returned to the Israel Philharmonic, the Seoul Philharmonic and completed a domestic tour alongside Music Director Jaap van Zweden before debuts with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, among others. She also performed a recital tour across Korea and made her recital debuts at the Boulez Saal in Berlin and the Hong Kong City Hall.
Since making her concerto debut with Hamburg Symphony at the age of 5, Kang has regularly worked with leading conductors and has also released two recordings: Modern Solo featuring Schubert’s Last Rose and Ysaÿe Sonatas and a Brahms/Schumann album with Yeol-Eum Son. Her cycle of Beethoven Violin Sonatas with pianist Sunwook Kim was released to outstanding reviews. A devoted chamber musician, she regularly visits chamber music festivals and collaborates with renowned musicians including Janine Jansen, Gidon Kremer and Mischa Maisky. Clara-Jumi Kang plays the “Thunis” Stradivarius from 1702, on generous loan by KIA.
Naples Philharmonic Chorus
Naples Philharmonic Chorus
Founded in 1991, the Naples Philharmonic Chorus is made up of adult singers of all ages and backgrounds, and performs in both pops and classical concerts each season with the Naples Philharmonic, including the orchestra’s popular Holiday Pops and Patriotic Pops programs.
Naples Philharmonic Chorus
Jeremy T. Warner
Jeremy T. Warner
Jeremy T. Warner is a conductor and choral leader dedicated to building vibrant musical communities and creating performances that connect singers and audiences through shared purpose, craft and joy. Now proudly based in Naples, Florida, he is in his fourth year as director of the Naples Philharmonic Chorus, where he continues to shape an ambitious choral program and foster a culture of musical excellence and belonging. He most recently served as chorus director for Opera Naples’ Festival Under the Stars production of Puccini’s Turandot under the leadership of Ramón Tebar.
Former appointments include the Memphis Symphony Chorus, Memphis Men’s Chorale, Memphis Women’s Chorale, Memphis ChoralArts and the Salzburg College Chorale. Jeremy has prepared choirs for a wide range of choral-orchestral performances and touring productions, including The Legend of Zelda concert experience, and has led ensembles in performance tours throughout Germany and Austria.
Jeremy holds a Master of Music in choral conducting from the University of Memphis and a Bachelor of Music in theory and composition from Union University. He also completed three additional years of doctoral study in choral conducting and pursued further artistic development at the Mozarteum University Salzburg and the Eastman School of Music. He was selected to conduct in the National Conductor’s Symposium with the Vancouver Chamber Choir. He is especially passionate about imaginative, audience-centered programming and the power of choral music to foster connection across communities.
Meet Jeremy
