Philharmonic Season opens Sunday at TAMIU at 3 p.m.
Written by admin, Oct 28, 2011, 0 Comments
Courtesy Steve Harmon,
(Laredo, Tx)- The 32nd season of concerts offered by the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) begins with “Fright Night” Sunday, October 30, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. at Texas A&M international University’s Center for the Fine & Performing Arts Recital Hall.
“Fright Night” is appropriate for the Halloween weekend and sets the tone for a season of music derived from TV, movies and more. Throughout the season the Orchestra will play music that audience members of all ages are sure to recognize.
“If you have ever seen the Disney film Fantasia you will know 80% of the music we are playing this year,” said LPO music director Brendan Townsend.
According to Townsend, he was inspired to try to find new ways of connecting with an audience that suffers from being musically isolated.
“If you are in San Antonio or Corpus you can turn on National Public Radio and become familiar with a lot of music. We are not quite as fortunate here, though I understand that lots of folks are tuning into the XM station Classical Pops,” Townsend said.
The LPO did try to connect with XM Satellite radio to co-sponsor the season, and try to coordinate programming, but that became too complicated, so instead the music director took an alternative approach to connecting with music that is familiar.
“The main pieces of the season come from movies and cartoons. Other works will be new, but will find common themes with the works that people know,” said Townsend.
Sunday’s opening concert will include the “Pines of Rome” by Respighi, the Schostakovich “Festive Overture,” and two musical depictions of the Witches Sabbath: “Danse Macabre” and “Night on Bald Mountain.”
Dr. David Garcia, former band director at TAMIU who remains as affiliated composer, has arranged the distinctive and recognizable “Toccata & Fugue in D minor ” of JS Bach. Originally written for organ, this transcription will intertwine the organ and the Orchestra in a bold arrangement.
A surprising twist in this concert will be the addition of a children’s costume contest. All are encouraged to come dressed in their Halloween costumes and children will get a chance to show off their costume during intermission.
Tickets for this concert cost $15 for adults and $12 for seniors and will be on sale at the door. Season tickets for all five concerts of the season cost $60 for adults and $50 for seniors. TAMIU and LCC students are admitted free with proof of current Student ID.
For more information, visit the orchestra’s website www.laredophil.com or call the office at (956) 326-3042.
