The New Philharmonic Orchestra of Irving concludes its “Sundays at the Symphony” season 3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 15, with “The Spanish Connection,” the orchestra’s annual Latino Connection concert. The repertoire celebrates Latino music’s heritage in the colorful culture of Spain.
The concert, at the Irving Arts Center’s Carpenter Hall, also features NPOI’s annual concerto competition winner, French horn player Nicholas O’Brien, playing the first movement of Mozart’s “Horn Concerto No. 1 in D Major.”
Dr. Sergio Espinosa, NPOI’s conductor and musical director, has programmed “Capriccio Espagnole” by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and “España” by Emannuel Chabrier. Selected advanced string students from the Irving Independent School District will join the orchestra in “Suite No. 1 from the opera, Carmen,” by Georges Bizet and “La Oración del Torero” by Joaquin Turina.
O’Brien, the student concerto competition winner, is a senior at Irving High School. President of the IHS Band, he has participated in UIL All-Region band for the past three years, and plans to attend the The University of Texas in Austin.
Concertgoers who arrive at this May 7 concert an hour early (2:30 p.m.) will have a chance to bid on NPOI’s annual silent auction items, which typically feature tickets for concerts, ballet and theater; museum memberships; restaurant bargains; and health and beauty products.
Dr. Espinosa is an associate professor at the University of Texas at Arlington. A specialist in string music education, he has given workshops and presentations throughout the United States, Canada, China and Australia. He also serves as Senior Music Examiner for the International Baccalaureate organization in Wales, United Kingdom.
The New Philharmonic Orchestra of Irving is a community orchestra, consisting of trained musicians who choose to continue to play their instruments while they serve in other professions: teaching, accounting, film-making and others. NPOI has performed for audiences in Irving, Euless, Dallas and throughout the Metroplex.
For ticket information or reservations, call the IAC box office at 972-252-2787, or go to www.IrvingArtsCenter.com.
General admission tickets to NPOI concerts range from $10 to $18. The orchestra also offers “flex” passes, including three tickets at a 33-1/3% discount from single ticket rates.
Further information about NPOI, including full program notes for the May 15 concert, can be found on the orchestra’s Web site at www.npoirving.com.
This concert season is supported in part by the City of Irving through the Irving Arts Board.