Local Flavor on Tap for Sunday’s LPO Concert

This Sunday at 3 p.m., the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) will perform its third concert  of its current season at Texas A&M International University’s Center for the Fine and Performing Arts’ Recital Hall.

Tickets cost $25 and $17 for seniors, with students, as always, able to attend for free. For tickets or more information, please contact the Laredo Philharmonic at 326-3042 or e-mail laredophil@gmail.com.

This program proudly showcases a local flavor with a performance featuring younger compatriots, all members of the Laredo Philharmonic Youth Orchestra or the Chamber Orchestra of Laredo.

“There will be about 70 string players ranging in age from 7 to mature,” said LPO music director Brendan Townsend.

All three ensembles will join together to offer the world premiere of Dr. David Manuel García’s “Sinfonietta for Strings,” written specifically for this concert. Dr. Garcia, TAMIU director of bands, is a prolific composer whose works have been performed by ensembles around the country. Sunday’s performance serves to officially welcome him as the LPO’s “Composer-in-Residence.”

The soloist for the concert is also a local musician – Mario Benavides. Benavides has been pursuing advanced studies in organ performance at the University of Texas in Austin where he is completing his doctoral program. The organ instructor at TAMIU, he also coordinates the University’s Organ Recital Series held throughout the year.  Sunday, he will perform the Rheinberger Organ Concerto No. 1 in F Major.

Other works on the program include a Bach choral prelude that was arranged from strings by the late Leopold Stokowski, the first “Salzburg Symphony” by W.A. Mozart and “Danzas Latinoamericanas” by Mexican composer José Elizondo.

The Laredo Philharmonic Youth Orchestra made its debut at a joint concert with the Chamber Orchestra of Laredo last December. It is comprised of students from both Laredo and United independent school districts, who meet every Monday evening under the direction of Bea Balli.

The Chamber Orchestra of Laredo includes combined string players from TAMIU and Laredo Community College, as well as guest players.

For additional information, visit the LPO website at laredophilharmonic.com

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