Guitarras de Navidad Recital at TAMIU, Wednesday, Dec. 7

Let the sounds of Guitarras de Navidad start the transition to the holiday season. The fifth annual Christmas guitar concert will be held at the Texas A&M International University Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall, Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m.

This event, sponsored by TAMIU, the Women's City Club and the County of Webb, is free and open to the public.

The music will reflect the season, with Guitarras de Navidad featuring the TAMIU Classical Guitar Ensemble, directed by Dr. Gilberto D. Soto, associate professor.

The program features music by master composers as well as traditional Christmas music. Among the selections the ensemble will perform are Concerto in D by Antonio Vivaldi, Canon in D by Johann Pachabel, "Hallelujah" from the Messiah by Handel, Beethoven's second movement from Symphony No. 7, and Concerto in D minor by Johann Sebastian Bach. The ensemble will also present special Spanish arrangements of popular Christmas classics such as "Jingle Bells," "The Little Drummer Boy," "Angels We Have Heard on High," and "Allelujah" by Handel.

The concert also includes performances by the Department of the Fine and Performing Arts Young Artists Program.

The TAMIU Classical Guitar Ensemble was established in Fall 2001. Members of the ensemble include Marc López, René Méndez, Miguel Saito, Claudia M. Valdéz, Miguel Durán, Michael Boswell, Sonia Gutierrez, Luis Barrera, Alan Retamoso, Billy Thatcher, Aileen Gonzalez and Faustino Santos.

The ensemble has performed at numerous community events and has been invited to perform in cities as far as Canyon City, Colo. Last April, the ensemble won third place division at the annual Guitar Conference sponsored by the University of Texas at Brownsville.

For more information, please contact Dr. Soto at 326.3046, e-mail gsoto@tamiu.edu or visit offices in CFPA 216A.

University office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu