Benavides Featured Artist at Organ Series Recital Nov. 9

The 2008/2009 Texas A&M International University Organ Recital Series continues with a performance by organist Mario Benavides, Sunday, Nov. 9 at 4 p.m. in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts (CFPA) Recital Hall.

The event is free and open to the public.

The program includes music by J.S. Bach, César Franck and Charles-Marie Widor.

Benavides holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Texas at Austin in Organ Performance and earned the distinction of University Honors and Dean’s List. While studying at UT, he studied with world-renowned professor and organist Dr. Frank Speller.

Currently, Benavides is pursuing a doctor of musical arts degree under the direction of Dr. Gerre Hancock at The Sarah and Ernest Butler School of Music at UT-Austin. Dr. Hancock performed at the first performance of the 2008-2009 TAMIU Organ Recital Series Sept. 21.

Benavides has appeared in solo recitals and concerts with the UT Chorus and Brass Ensemble. He has performed in recitals celebrating composers such as Frank Speller, Olivier Messiaen and most recently, J.S. Bach in a concert for the International Year of the Organ.

The Series is performed on the Sharkey-Corrigan Organ, a gift of the E. H. Corrigan Foundation, lead by longtime Laredo businessman E. H. Corrigan, passionate supporter of the arts.

For a list of upcoming fine arts events, visit tamiu.edu/coas/fpa/coe

For more information, please contact Bede Leyendecker, chair, College of Arts and Sciences’ department of Fine and Performing Arts, at 326.2654, e-mail bleyendecker@tamiu.edu or visit offices in CFPA 217C.

University office hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – 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