Date: September 3-4, 2010

Time: Various (please see details)

Location: UST campus         

Address: Various (please see details)

Cost: Free and open to the public

Contact: Dr. Dorothy Caram at 713-665-5398 or 713-668-9077

Camerata Ventapane Houston has collaborated with the University of St. Thomas to present a weekend festival of musical events that celebrates the rich tradition of Mexican music. “Reflections from the 4th International Music Festival 2010 in San Miguel & Mexico City: Echos de Una Nación” will be held on the University of St. Thomas on September 3-4, 2010.

The event commemorates the bicentennial of Mexico’s War of Independence of 1810 and centennial of the Mexican Revolution of 1910. These programs were inspired from the recent 4th International Baroque Music Festival in Mexico, a 10-day series of events produced annually in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato and Mexico City in conjunction with the Festival de Música Barroca de San Miguel de Allende, A.C.

Featured artists in the weekend celebration in Houston are renowned cellist Carlos Prieto and composer Javier Alvarez. Guests will also hear performances from young musicians from both sides of the border including the University of St. Thomas Chamber Singers and soloists, directed by Dr. Brady Knapp, assistant professor of music.

Events for Friday, Sept. 3, beginning at 7:30 p.m. (These events are free and open to the public)
A Literary and Musical Evening
Cullen Hall, 4001 Mt. Vernon

·         Presentation of the Book, Adventures of a Cello, by its author, Carlos Prieto.

·         Cello and Piano Recital: Carlos Prieto, cello, and Robert Brewer, piano.

·         Reception & Book signing in the lobby by Carlos Prieto, sponsored by the River Oaks Bookstore.

Events for Saturday, Sept. 4
Free to students, faculty, and the public.

·         Pre-Concert Lecture, Dawn and Sunset: Contemporary Music by Mexican Composers, by Dr. Javier Alvarez. Free to students, faculty, and the public. 
6 p.m., Cullen Hall

·         Music From the Baroque and Other Treasures Composed for the Cathedrals of Mexico. The University St. Thomas Chamber Singers and soloists, conducted by Dr. Brady Knapp.
Free to students, faculty, and the public.
7 p.m., Chapel of St. Basil, 3802 Yoakum

·         Reception and refreshments al fresco. Cooling fruit drinks and botanas Mexicanas. Sponsored by the Mexican Tourism Office. Free to students, faculty, and the public.
7:45 p.m., Jones Hall, 3910 Yoakum.

The  following events require a purchased, partially tax deductible, Gala Ticket ($100 per ticket): For tickets and more information, call  Dr. Dorothy Caram at 713-665-5398 or 713-668-9077.

·         Gala Concert, Contemporary Classical and Popular Music. Two String Quartets composed by Dr. Javier Alvarez, performed by the Apollo Chamber Players; a medley of Mexican  songs sung by mezzo-soprano, Cecilia Duarte,  accompanied by Dr. Brady Knapp and a  surprise  grand Finale 
8:15 p.m., Jones Hall

·         Gala Dinner. A chance to meet the artists and enjoy margaritas and a dinner menu of Mexican delicacies, served with a selection of Mexican wines.
9 :15 p.m., Crooker Center, 3909 Graustark

Artists:

Javier Alvarez. Mexican composer, educator, and recipient of many international awards, he is dean of the school of music, Conservatorio de las Rosas, in Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico, the oldest Music Conservatory in the Western Hemisphere.

Apollo Chamber Players. A consortium of dynamic young virtuosi that includes co-founders violinists Matthew Detrick and Timothy Peters, Apollo violist Matthew Carrington, and cellist Matthew Dudzik as festival performers.

Robert Brewer. Well known Houston organist-pianist-composer-choirmaster, Brewer lends his considerable talent to the Literary and Musical Evening in concert with  Maestro Carlos Prieto.

Cecilia Duarte, Mexican mezzo-soprano, is known to Houston audiences for her work with Houston Grand Opera and as soloist in other local venues.

Brady Knapp. Dr. Knapp is an assistant professor of Choral and Vocal Studies at the University of St. Thomas. He directs the University Singers, Pop Singers, the St. Thomas Chamber Singers, the University’s Opera Workshop, and developed of a program in Pedagogy. He conducts choir concerts in the U.S. and abroad.

Carlos Prieto, internationally renowned cellist, author, raconteur, and winner of awards from heads of governments, is a prolific contributor to the flow of music throughout the Western Hemisphere, Europe, and the Far East. He has written seven books, premiered scores of compositions (many dedicated to him), and his discography includes more than ninety compositions.

The University of St. Thomas Chamber Singers. Directed by Dr. Brady Knapp, A small, select group of singers made up of students, local professionals and University of St. Thomas music alumni.