Event Calendar & News: Latin American Series
2007-08 Latin American Series events
October 29, 2007
Musique 21 presents its Latin American program
7:30 p.m. Music Building Auditorium
FREE
February 15, 2008
Musique 21 and Latin American Music Series present guest composer Gabriela Ortiz, Mexico
Lecture: 2:30 p.m. Room 145 Music Building
Concert: 8 p.m. Music Building Auditorium
February 28, 2008
Philharmonic Orchestra presents its Latin American program
7:30 p.m. Fairchild Theatre
$9 for adults, $7 for seniors, free for students and those under 18
April 23, 2008
Guest Artist: Luis Julio Toro, Latin American flutist
6 p.m. Hart Recital Hall, Music Building
FREE
MSU Latin American Music Series Combines Dance Rhythms, Folk and Pop with Classic Music
Where else can you hear a sampling of the best of what’s happening today in classical Latin American music? Look no further than the MSU Latin American Music Series, which first kicked off in fall 2003.
This unique showcase of music by contemporary Latin American music composers incorporates Latin dance rhythms with a huge folk and pop music influence. Many of the composers attend the concerts that feature their work and present public lectures and master classes on campus. Raphael Jimenez, associate conductor of MSU orchestras, directs the Latin American Music Series in conjunction with MSU's Center for Latin American Studies.
The series also provides a hands-on experience in cultural diversity for the students. “The students always show a great deal of enthusiasm and excitement when they perform a type of music that is unfamiliar to them,” said Jimenez.
Latin America is a crossover of many cultures -- particularly Spanish, African, and Native American -- that is reflected in the music.
"When people think of Latin American music, they think of salsa," said Jimenez. "We present the classical side of Latin American music, which many people don't even know exists.”
The first concert in the series featured classical music created with digital and analog technology by Latin American composers during the last three decades. Later concerts featured renowned Latin American cellist Carlos Prieto with the MSU Symphony Orchestra; Latin American chamber music; and the themed concert Latin Rhythms and Dances, presented by the MSU Philharmonic Orchestra, including a Cuban dance and a slow tango.
“We are proud to be championing an entire repertoire of this unique and rarely heard mix of exotic, powerful, and eclectic music,” said Jimenez. “From children’s operas based on Mexican folk tales to avant-garde electronic music, we want to give audiences an idea of just how active the music world is in Latin America.”
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