Professor D. Kern Holoman (pictured), who holds the Barbara K. Jackson Chair in Orchestral Conducting, and who is retiring in June, will lead the UC Davis Symphony Orchestra in its 50th Anniversary Golden Jubilee Gala at 8 p.m. Nov. 23. The anniversary celebration also includes a free symposium (Perspectives on the Philharmonic Society, 4-6 p.m. Nov. 21, lobby, Mondavi Center); and a free lecture ("Humor in Music," 1:10 p.m. Nov. 24, 115 Music Building).

The anniversary events wrap up a month chock-full of event from the Department of Music:

-- Michael Goldberg, guitar -- 12:05 p.m. Nov. 6, 115 Music Building.

-- Folk Music of Veracruz, Mexico -- Performed by UC Davis music students. 12:05 p.m. Nov. 13, 115 Music Building.

-- Artists-in-Residence Zina Schiff, violin, and Lois Brandwynne, piano -- Schiff, protégé of Jascha Heifetz, and Brandwynne, UC Davis faculty pianist. Works by Mozart, Schubert, Bloch and other classical composers.

7 p.m. Nov. 15, Studio Theatre, Mondavi Center.

-- Empyrean Ensemble -- Fault Lines: New Works by California Composers. Olly Wilson: Trio for violin, cello and piano; Bruce Bennett: Three Epigrams for violin and piano; Beth Custer: Scary Monster for string trio; Wayne Peterson: Peregrinations for solo clarinet; and Gloria Justen: Naïve Little Pieces for solo violin. Also: Igor Stravinsky: Elégie for viola solo. 7 p.m. Nov. 16, Studio Theatre. Preconcert talk, 6 p.m., by music lecturer Sam Nichols: "Demystifying the Music."

-- Baroque Ensemble -- 12:05 p.m. Nov 18, 115 Music Building.

-- Jazz Band (Wednesday Night Big Band) --7 p.m. Nov. 19, Studio Theatre.

-- Hindustani Vocal Ensemble -- 12:05 p.m. Nov. 20, 115 Music Building.

-- Early Music Ensemble -- 8 p.m. Nov. 21, St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 640 Hawthorne Lane, Davis.

-- Gospel Choir -- 7 p.m. Nov. 22, Freeborn Hall.

-- Symphony Orchestra's Golden Jubilee Gala -- Beethoven's Gloria, from Missa solemnis; Chausson's Poème for violin and orchestra; and Brahms' Symphony No. 4. 8 p.m. Nov. 23, Jackson Hall, Mondavi Center.

Tickets required for all concerts except the Tuesday and Thursday Noon Concerts (Nov. 6, 13, 18 and 20), which are free. The Early Music Ensemble asks for suggested donations at the door: $12 adults, $6 students and children. Tickets for all other concerts are available through the Mondavi Center box office: (530) 754-2787 or (866) 754-2787, or www.mondaviarts.org.