National Hispanic Heritage Month Concerts
Program 1: Sunday, September 17, 4:00 pm
Program 2: Sunday, October 1, 4:00 pm
The Hayes School of Music is celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month, which celebrates the history and culture of Hispanic and Latino Americans. National Hispanic Heritage Month began as a week-long celebration in 1968 during the presidency of Lyndon Johnson and later expanded to a month when it was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1988. We continue to celebrate the rich musical heritage of the broader Spanish speaking world — Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
The Hayes School of Music is proud to present two free concerts on September 17th and October 1st. From Spanish Romantic composers of the nineteenth century to living composers from Puerto Rico and Argentina, this year we have the same commitment to diverse musical voices we brought in previous years. Lush melodies and folk-based rhythms characterize the rich musical heritage of the various regions of Spain. It was these regional styles that inspired nineteenth-century composers, such as Isaac Albeniz and Manuel de Falla, to create works that act as a musical travelog, bringing the listener on a musical journey through a colorful world. We are especially pleased to bring two new composers to the programs, Noelia Escalzo (Argentina) and Luciano Quiñones (Puerto Rico). Noelia is a prolific composer whose music is tonal and lively, showing an abundant gift for melody. Luciano is a composer of danzas, one of several Puerto Rican dance-based compositions which originated in that culture starting in the nineteenth century.
As in previous years, we welcome members of the English program to the stage, bringing poetry from artists representing Chicano, Apache, Puerto Rican and Mexican American peoples.
Join us for these concerts in Rosen Concert Hall! They can also be viewed via the Hayes School of Music live-streamed Performances page. Our hope is always that our listeners will be enriched by the discovery and delight of new favorite composers and new favorite works.