TAMIU’s ‘Guitarras De Navidad’ Tonight

For the ninth year in a row, guitar strings will strum in artistic unison for the Ninth Annual “Guitarras de Navidad” at Texas A&M International University tonight, Dec. 2 at 8:00 p.m. in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts (CFPA) Recital Hall.

The program draws from the sounds of the season and features the TAMIU Classical Guitar Ensemble, directed by Dr. Gilberto D. Soto, Professor of Music Education. It is sponsored by TAMIU’s College of Arts and Sciences, department of Fine and Performing Arts and co-sponsored by the Women's City Club. “Guitarras de Navidad” is free and open to the public.

“Among the selections the ensemble will perform are special guitar arrangements of ‘Concerto in A minor’ by Antonio Vivaldi, “The Little Fugue” by J.S. Bach, “Carnavalito” by John Zaradin, “Mysterious Barricades” by Francis Couperin, “Lady Madonna” by John Lennon/Paul Mc Cartney, and others,” said Dr. Soto.

In commemoration of the bicentennial anniversary of México, special arrangements of “Besame Mucho” and “Sabor a Mi” will be performed. Closing the evening will be special Spanish-styled renditions of the popular Christmas classics “O Santissima,” “The Little Drummer Boy,” “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “Greensleeves” and “Silent Night.”

The Ensemble is comprised of University students who share experience in reading and performing guitar literature for instrumental ensembles and perform throughout the school year at various community and civic functions.

The Ensemble includes Armando García, Rebecca Gutíerrez, Fernando Hernández, Ronald Hernández, Mark Martínez, Isai Emmanuel Pruneda, Leonel Salinas, José Sánchez, Daniel Arambula, Audrey Esparza, Jorge García -Moreno, Marisela González, José Guerra, Marco Lopez, Johnny Peña, Stephanie Solis, Manuel Torres-González and Marissa Treviño.

The repertoire studied and performed by the Ensemble includes classical, flamenco, New Age, and contemporary music, selected works for the lute and guitar family and original compositions by student composer-arrangers.

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

For a list of upcoming arts events, click on tamiu.edu/coas/fpa/coe or for a recorded weekly calendar, please call 326.ARTS (2787). Information is also available on the University’s social sites on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

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