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Posted: 4/16/09

Fifth Annual TAMIU Guitar Concert has ‘Twilight,’ Global Music Selections May 1

 

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Music from Italy, Spain, México and the United Sates will fill the Texas A&M International University Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall with the Fifth Annual International Guitar Concert on Friday, May 1 at 8 p.m.

Admission is free and open to the public.

“The International Guitar Concert was born several years ago with the objective to perform music and styles from different countries,” said Dr. Gilberto D. Soto, professor of music education/guitar and director of the TAMIU Guitar Ensemble.

“This year, my students and I have selected to perform music from Italy, Spain, México and the United States,” Dr. Soto explained.

The program will include a selection in which for the first time the unique sounds of the harpsichord will join the ensemble—“Concerto in D major by Antonio Vivaldi,” from Italy.

Dr. Mieun Lee, visiting assistant professor of music, will accompany on the harpsichord for the Ensemble.

Other selections included in the program are the traditional sounds of flamenco music. Representing Spain, the Guitar Ensemble will perform “Alegrias” for several TAMIU dance students, who will dance to the exciting flamenco beats under the direction of Bede Leyendecker, chair of the Department of Fine and Performing Arts and assistant professor of dance. From México, the Ensemble will perform very special and unique instrumental arrangements of “Besame Mucho” and “Cuando Calienta El Sol,” among others.

A special treat to the readers of the popular book and movie “Twilight” will close the concert, as several TAMIU music majors will join the stage to sing and perform along with the Ensemble the song “Flightless Bird/American Mouth,” which among others will represent the United States of America.
“The TAMIU Classical Guitar Ensemble is a group of mostly music guitar majors and minors, as well as other instrumentalists who share experience in reading and performing of guitar literature for instrumental ensembles,” said Soto.

Members of the ensemble during the 2009 spring semester include Salvador Bella, Audrey L. Esparza, Joshua D. Orr, Juan M. Peña, Alfredo J. Barrera, Israel Cruz Villarreal, Joe Guerra, Andres González, Marissa Treviño, Maricela González, Marco López, Manuel Torres González, and Jorge García.

The Ensemble is a favorite guest performer at many civic and community events throughout the year.
For more information, please contact Soto at 326.3046 or gsoto@tamiu.edu

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


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