Symphony Orchestra

Young Artists Competition Winner

UTRGV SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Fourth Program ~ 2022 • 2023 Concert Season

Opera Favorites TSC Performing Arts Center, Brownsville Monday, April 24, 2023 at 7:00 pm UTRGV Performing Arts Complex, Edinburg Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at 7:00 pm Norman Gamboa, Conductor Alexandro Lucero-Quintana, Guest conductor Manuel Monge-Mata, Guest Conductor Andrew Stahlman, Guest conductor Emily Saldivar, Mezzo-soprano Gabriel Trevino, Baritone Azdruball Montemayor, Tuba 2022-2023 UTRGV Young Artists Solo Competition Winner

Overture to “L’Italiana in Algeri”. . . . . . . . . . . . . Gioacchino Rossini (1792-1868)

Aspirations of a Wandering Heart. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ryan Mowers V. The Dreams of a New Tomorrow

(b. 1999)

INTERMISSION Concerto for Bass Tuba and Orchestra in F minor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ralph Vaughan Williams I. Prelude: Allegro moderato II. Romanza: Andante sostenuto III. Finale - Rondo alla tedesca: Allegro

(1872-1958)

Dance of the Hours from “La Gioconda”. . . . . . . Amilcare Ponchielli (1834-1886)

Overture to “Orpheus in the Underworld”. . . . Jacques Offenbach (1819-1880) For a better concert experience, we kindly ask you to turn off cellular phones, pagers, and all types of noise makers. Thank you!

2 - UTRGV Symphony Orchestra

2022 - 2023 Concert Season

PROGRAM NOTES Overture to “L’Italiana in Algeri” Gioacchino Rossini

still very different. Alex, a young man who has grown disillusioned with the world he lives in, loses his faith in everyone around him, and yet, he Rossini was the best-known Italian dreams of so many things. Writing opera composer before Verdi and music is the thing that comes most Puccini during the XIX century. He naturally to him, so he writes about all wrote 39 operas before his retirement of his regrets and how he wished the in 1830. L’italiana in Algeri (The Italian world would be. It's in one of his Girl in Algiers) premiered on May 22, performances that an unlikely audience 1813, at the Teatro San Benedetto in member hears something that changes Venice, is an operatic drama giocoso her life. Chelsea, a shy young girl who with a mixture of elements from the was just like Alex, realized something opera buffa and the opera seria. In on that fateful day. If you focus on what 1832, the full opera was premiered in something might become, it's always New York. L’italiana in Algeri tells the better than focusing on what it actually story of the Italian girl Isabella who is. From then on, she sees the entire persuades Mustafa, the Bay of the world in a new light. She never really Algiers, to free her and Lindoro, her had any dreams of her own, but after lover, from his palace. The overture listening to Alex again and again, she adheres to the “archetypical Rossini overture” structure which consists of a starts wondering what his life could be slow introduction and a fast “sparkling” like if he knew what she knew. After hearing an especially heartbreaking section somewhat similar to the sonatina form. In this overture, the slow song, she knows that above all else, she wants to help him. So, she finally introduction begins quietly with the string pizzicatos interrupted by a burst musters up her courage and talks to him. It's here in the story that chord in fortissimo just before the movement 5 begins. Chelsea is going melodic oboe solo starts. When the to do her best to show Alex the world allegro begins, a series of vivacious, that he made her see, but she knows brief woodwind solos denote why this that it won't be easy to convince him acclaimed overture is one of the most that it's out there. She talks about the liked by wind players. Close to the dark place that she was in, and how end, the typical “Rossini crescendo”, easy it looked for her to give up on which begins with fragments of scales everything. But, she kept on going, for and alternates between the tonic and this very moment, to tell him how her the dominant harmonies, becomes life changed, and all the dreams that gradually louder thus giving Rossini’s she now has because of him. Will Alex characteristic dramatic final effect. accept what she's telling him, or will he ~ Alexandro Lucero choose to continue down his own path?

Aspirations of a Wandering Heart Ryan Mowers Faith is a funny thing. Like trust, it's very hard to gain and very easy to lose.

I started this project by asking myself one thing, "If someone lost faith in everyone, what would it take for them to believe again?" With that, I started writing. Aspirations of a Wandering Heart tells the story of two people, Alex and Chelsea, very much alike, but 3 - UTRGV Symphony Orchestra

~ Ryan Mowers Concerto for Bass Tuba and Orchestra Ralph Vaughan Williams Composed in 1954 for the 50th anniversary of the London Symphony Orchestra Vaughan Williams Concerto for Bass Tuba and Orchestra was premiered by renowned tubist Philip Catelinet, as the soloist. Vaughan Williams indicated that his Concerto 2022 - 2023 Concert Season

resembles the Baroque concerto form rather than the Viennese style of Mozart and Beethoven. Instead of the standard lengthier solo concerto characteristic of the Romantic period, the Tuba Concerto is structured in three movements of relatively short duration, still showcasing Vaughan Williams' own harmonic and rhythmic language. The opening movement Prelude is a brisk march that shows off the soloist’s agility performing fast moving notes and swift scale passages.

After a more calmed middle section the movement recapitulates back to the opening march, ending with a solo cadenza that exploits the very extreme registers of the instrument, followed by a series of wide leaps and a slow return of the main theme. The second movement Romanza is a beautiful lyrical song that demonstrates the singing quality of the instrument in its high register. The opening theme in folk-song style is traditional in most Vaughan Williams’ compositions. The music then becomes more restless and the main theme is highly embellished as it moves towards a climax that leads back to the lyrical mood of the opening. The Finale movement Rondo alla tedesca (Rondo in German style), is highly energetic with rocket-like arpeggios and lively trills that alternate with contrasting episodes. In the very first recording of the work also from 1954, it was stated that "the tuba romps amid the dancing strings, like Falstaff among the fairies in Windsor Forest" while the critic Michael Kennedy called it "an elephantine romp, humorous and salty". Just as in the first movement, the Finale ends with a virtuosic cadenza rounded off with a wild cascade of sound from the orchestra.

Dance of the Hours from “La Gioconda” Amilcare Ponchielli Written by the Italian composer Amilcare Ponchielli, the Dance of the Hours is the finale of Act III from the opera La Gioconda. It serves as an intermezzo between Acts III and IV. The 4 - UTRGV Symphony Orchestra

whole opera was presented for the first time in 1876 and shortly later, this ballet scene began to be performed as a stand-alone work. The Dance of the Hours is divided into four parts, each representing a specific time of the day: morning, noon, afternoon, and night. It opens with several very delicate melodies representing the calm environment of the morning, more specifically dawn. Then, a climatic section depicts the arrival of noon time with all beings now fully awake. After a brief transition, the dance of the day makes its appearance; it is the best known section of the entire ballet, made famous by Allan Sherman with his novelty song Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh (A Letter from Camp) of 1963.

We then move to the night hours, transitioning into a minor mode with the cellos performing a rather a somber melodic theme. A short cadenza by the harp takes us from the lighter hours of the evening to the darkest hours at night. The ballet ends with very a brisk can-can, another wellknown, very lively virtuoso dance.

Nowadays, Ponchielli´s opera of La Gioconda is rarely performed in its complete form, it is its Dance of the Hours for which it is better remembered; it has been used numerous times in popular media including television commercials, films, cartoons and sitcoms. Undoubtedly, the most celebrated of all is Disney´s animated film Fantasia of 1940, where the ballet is performed by alligators, ostriches, elephants, and hippopotamuses. This historical theatrical version was led by renowed conductor Leopold Stokowski (1882-1977). ~ Manuel Monge Overture to “Orpheus in the Underworld” Jacques Offenbach Struggling to find success, Jaques Offenbach was met with a dead-end 2022 - 2023 Concert Season

when the management of the Paris Opera-Comique company had no interest in staging any of his comic operas. In 1855 he was finally able to showcased his works at the BouffesParisiens Theatre where three years later, Offenbach would compose his first large-scale opera, Orphee aux enfers (Orpheus in the Underworld), which became a box-office success, bringing him and the company out of the brink of financial ruin. The story of this opera is a parody of the legend of Orpheus and Eurydice with slight differences (not to be confused with the opera Orpheo and Euridice by Christoph Gluck, which stays true to the original legend). In this rendition, Orpheus is the son of a violin teacher instead of the God of oracles, Apollo.

He is pleased to be rid of his wife, Eurydice, who was captured by Pluto, the God of the underworld. Coerced by public opinion, Orpheus begins his journey to the underworld to rescue his wife and return her to mortality. The behavior of the gods of Olympus was viewed as satire of the regime of Napoleon III, Emperor of France. Even though this opera was a blockbuster

hit, it received mixed reviews from the public. Highly praised by some, others criticized and expressed outrage at Offenbach’s and the performer’s disrespect towards Greek mythology instead. How this opera, despite dishonoring the Empire and temporarily tarnishing the composer’s reputation, was able to see international success and continues to see revivals in the 20th and 21st centuries is a marvelous feat on its own. The overture was arranged two years after the opera’s original release

by Austrian composer Carlos Binder and thus is not a part of the original score. It contains various themes used in the opera, most notably the galop section used at the opera's end. After Offenbach’s death, the galop would become one of the most famous and world-renowned pieces of music, cementing itself as a pillar of the cancan style. This beloved galop has found its way into social media and television productions such as The Little Mermaid, Bugs Bunny, and Pinky and the Brain, to name a few. ~ Andrew Stahlman

Spring Concert

JOSE HERNANDEZ, PIANO Sunday, May 7 at 6:00 pm UTRGV Performing Arts Complex Edinburg 5 - UTRGV Symphony Orchestra

2022 - 2023 Concert Season

AZDRUBALL MONTEMAYOR

Tuba, UTRGV Young Artists Solo Competition Winner Azdruball Javier “Archie” Montemayor is in his fourth year as music education major at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley where he studies with Dr. Scott Roeder. As a tuba player, he regularly performs with the university ensembles such as the UTRGV Symphony Orchestra, Wind Orchestra, and the Tuba and Euphonium Studio Ensemble. Azdruball has participated in several national and International competitions including the prestigious International Falcone Tuba and Euphonium Competition in Michigan where he was semi-finalist in 2019 and Silver-Medalist in the young artist division the following year. Azdruball started playing tuba back while in sixth grade in 2013, his first instructor was Emmanuel Garcia before continuing lessons with Dr. Scott Roeder two years later. He is a young musician with big dreams; to be able to perform in

renowned ensembles such as military bands or professional symphony orchestras. His main goal in life is to play music while conveying emotion and a message through his instrument.

EMILY SALDIVAR Mezzo-soprano direction of Dr. Nicholaus Cummins and vocal coach Dr. Marcy Mckee starring in numerous productions with the NSU Opera Theatre including Hansel from Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, Bizet’s Carmen, Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte and others. Emily had the opportunity to appear with the Natchitoches/Northwestern Symphony Orchestra in various occasions including the Premier of Richard Burchard’s The Falling Stars with the NSU Chamber Choir. She has toured with the NSU Chamber Choir throughout Europe, performing in important stages in Prague, Czechia, Bratislava, Slovakia, Vienna and Baden, Austria, earning third place worldwide with the Chamber Choir at the Ave Verum competition.

Born and raised in Brownsville, TX, Saldivar will be graduating this May Mezzo-soprano Emily Saldivar studied from Northwestern State University in at Northwestern State University of Louisiana looking to return to the valley Louisiana. She has performed under the to teach High School choir.

6 - UTRGV Symphony Orchestra

2022 - 2023 Concert Season

GABRIEL TREVINO Baritone Gabriel Treviño is the Assistant Choir Director at James Nikki Rowe High School, and is currently in his 4th year of teaching. He is a Graduate of Texas Tech University, earning his Bachelors Degree in Music Education, while taking voice lessons under the tutelage of Karl Dent. During his time at Texas Tech University, he performed roles in Opera and Music theater, of which include the Gunner and Chorus in The Phantom of the Opera, and Elder Gleaton in Carlisle Floyds Sussanah.

Gabriel also performs with the professional choir, Pasíon, and has previously performed with the San Antonio Chamber Choir.

RYAN MOWERS Student Composer man of many interests, Ryan currently holds two degrees in music performance and mathematics from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and he is currently pursuing a master's degree in both mathematics and piano performance at UTRGV. Over the years, he has developed as an artist in both piano and trumpet, and has had many performance opportunities, both locally and nationally, some as far as the renowned Carnegie Hall in New York City. Ryan's love for music started at an early age when he began learning the piano and it has never stopped. He is always been drawn to orchestral and cinematic music, as well as musical theater, his compositional style clearly Ryan Mowers is a musician/composer suggests that. In his spare time, he who currently resides in South Texas. A enjoys reading and watching movies.

7 - UTRGV Symphony Orchestra

2022 - 2023 Concert Season

ALEXANDRO LUCERO-QUINTANA Guest Conductor

Alexandro Lucero-Quintana was born in Mexico City. He has played viola for twenty years and graduated from the National Autonomous University of Mexico with a degree in Music Performance. In 2017, he began his conducting studies in workshops with David Rocha and Sergio Cardenas in Mexico. Alexandro has conducted the Queretaro Symphonietta and the Consortium Sonorus Chamber Orchestra in Mexico. Since 2017, he has been conducting the Colegio San Juan Siglo XXI Youth Symphony Orchestra in Matamoros. Alexandro Lucero-Quintana is currently working on his master´s degree in orchestral conducting at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley under the guidance of Dr. Norman Gamboa.

MANUEL MONGE-MATA Guest Conductor accepted both in conducting and composition at the University of Costa Rica, studying with composers Carlos Castro and Carlos Escalante. He also took composition lessons on electronic music with Otto Castro. In 2017 he obtained a Master of Music degree in wind conducting at Middle Tennessee State University with Dr. Reed Thomas.

Manuel has taught at several music schools in Costa Rica. His compositions have been performed widely in Costa Rica as well as in the United States. In 2021 he published two works with Rising Tide Music Press and also participated as conductor and producer of the newly released CD David Maslanka: First Recordings; the third album he has produced and the first acting as conductor. At the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley he is a student of Dr. Norman Gamboa. Last November 2022, Manuel began his music studies at the Manuel participated in the Lake Como age of 4, learning first the violin, then Conducting Competition at Bellano, guitar and later French horn. In he was Italy.

8 - UTRGV Symphony Orchestra

2022 - 2023 Concert Season

ANDREW STAHLMAN Guest Conductor eight. He has played trombone for fourteen years and graduated from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville with a degree in Music Performance. Near the end of his undergraduate career, Andrew began to pursue an interest in orchestral conducting. Andrew has worked with many students via private lessons, sectionals, and full ensembles. He studied with Dr. Darwin Aquino during the pandemic and served as assistant conductor with the Gateway Festival Orchestra during the summer of 2021.

Andrew Stahlman is currently working on his master’s degree in orchestral conducting at the University of Texas Andrew Stahlman was born in Virginia Rio Grande Valley under the guidance Beach, VA, and moved to Illinois at age of Dr. Norman Gamboa.

Dr. NORMAN GAMBOA Conductor Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Wyoming, California, Idaho, Nevada and Pennsylvania. Worldwide engagements include orchestras in the Czech Republic, Romania, Colombia, Brazil, Guatemala, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Honduras. Dr. Gamboa has led several ballet and opera productions with Ballet Midwest, Aurora Dance Arts, Santa Rosa Dance Theater, Fiesta Colorado Dance Company, Rio Grande Valley Ballet Company, Topeka Opera Society, and Opera on Tap Colorado. He has also participated in various renowned music festivals in Europe, Central and South America, the Caribbean, the U.S. and Canada.

Previously, he served as Music Director of Norman Gamboa is the Director of the Powder River Symphony and Aurora Orchestral Activities at The University of Symphony, Director of Orchestras at Texas Rio Grande Valley, Music Director Washburn University, Cover Conductor of the Sonoma County Philharmonic in of the Topeka Symphony, Associate California, and conductor and founder of Conductor of Las Vegas Music Festival, the Rio Grande Youth Symphony. One of Assistant Conductor of the Waco the most prominent Central American Symphony and Music Director of the conductors, he has appeared throughout Waco Youth Symphony Orchestra.

9 - UTRGV Symphony Orchestra

2022 - 2023 Concert Season

10 - UTRGV Symphony Orchestra

2022 - 2023 Concert Season

Symphony Orchestra VIOLIN

Eldaa Hernandez, Concertmaster

Angela Llanes,

Assistant concertmaster

Marifer Guerrero, Principal Daniel Santiago, Assistant Principal

Ociel Barrera Priscilla Espinoza Ruben Garcia, Jr. Angela Gonzalez Jazmin Gutierrez Alexandra Hernandez Astrid Herrera Leah Loera Joel Sanchez Jameel Zuniga

VIOLA Melanie Cantu, Principal Denise Alanis Katia Luna Jacob Martinez Harley Massey Jose Salinas CELLO Judith Recio, Principal Jairo Garza Sebastian Guerrero Isaac Islas Clarissa Martinez Robert Zuniga

FLUTE Carlos Hernandez Stephanie Hernandez3,5 Joshua Posler1,2,4

TIMPANI Kathleen Camero1,3,5 Oscar Lozano2 Rene Zamora4

OBOE Lorena Coronado1,2,3,4,5 Melany Ibarra

PERCUSSION Kathleen Camero Oscar Lozano Rene Peynado Rene Zamora

CLARINET Daniel Hernandez1,2,5 Fabian Gutierrez3,4 Alejandro Moreno BASSOON Aracely Garcia1,2,3,4,5 Joseph Orendain

HARP Alison Read*2,4,5

HORN Daniel Garza2,4,5 Nathan Laurel1 Roberto Salas3

ASSISTANT CONDUCTORS Alexandro Lucero-Quintana Manuel Monge-Mata Andrew Stahlman

TRUMPET Henry Bryant Ryan Mowers1,2,3,4,5 Aaron Perez* TROMBONE Alejandro Salinas1,2,3,4,5 Jhon Escobar Antonio Nefi Olivares EUPHONIUM Alejandro Garza

DOUBLE BASS TUBA Sofia Leal de Leon, Principal Itzhak Corona3,4,5 Alyssa Gonzalez Marisol Mejia David Molina

11 - UTRGV Symphony Orchestra

PIANO/KEYBOARD Paola Garcia2 Jose Hernandez

1

Principal in Rossini Principal in Mowers 3 Principal in Vaughan Williams 4 Principal in Ponchielli 5 Principal in Offenbach *Guest player 2

2022 - 2023 Concert Season