LPO Announces New Season of ‘Heroes’

Following the highly successful “Myths & Legends” season that comes to an end on Sunday April 27, 2008, the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) unveiled its plans for the 2008–09 season “Heroes” Monday at Texas A&M international University.

The award-winning LPO and its’ Music Director, Brendan Townsend, have been praised by the League of American Orchestras for their efforts to bring a rich mixture of popular orchestral works and new pieces by living composers to the stage in innovative and interesting ways.

“The new season builds on the momentum we have established over the past few years, to bring music to an ever-greater number of people,” said Alejandro Cabezut, board President.

The program of five subscription concerts and two “Special Event” concerts includes music by some of the world’s best known composers including Wagner, Elgar, Verdi, Beethoven, Rachmaninov, Bernstein, Copland, Mendelssohn and Stravinsky.

“Each program has a different focus for its theme,” said Maestro Townsend, “And as a whole the five themes all work to honor some form of Hero.”

“Ordinary Heroes” which opens the season on Sept. 28, recognizes those who have made giant contributions in the lives of others. Particular interest will be in the Texas Premiere of “Reading the Names” by Jessica Locke which was written in response to the tragedy of 9/11. Also on this program is the wonderful Enigma Variations of Elgar.

Other concerts contain extremely popular symphonies – such as Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony – and concertos like the Rachmaninov 2nd Piano Concerto, which will be performed by world-renowned pianist Ilya Itin, winner of the Cleveland International Piano Competition and the Leeds Piano Competition.

“Of the more modern pieces being presented Paddywak–a “concerto” for Tap Dancer and orchestra–is sure to be a popular hit in this community,” said Townsend who went on to talk about the collaboration with dancers in developing a modern choreography for the famous “Rite of Spring” ballet by Stravinsky.

Among the other plans for the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra over the coming year are a revitalization of a city-wide Youth Orchestra for middle school students of both school districts, a “Messiah and More” concert with the Philharmonic Chorale, and a Community Arts Festival to be held at the Laredo Entertainment Center in April 2009.

In addition to that, the LPO will continue its educational outreach efforts through its annual Rising Stars Recital. Plans are also underway to introduce special non-subscription educational and musical programs for students of all ages.

Monday’s announcement also noted that the LPO’s scrapbooks collection for its 28-year history will now be housed at the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library.

Tickets for the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra season “Heroes” go on sale with a special discount for renewing members beginning May 1, 2008.

For more information contact the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra at 326.3039.

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