Atlanta Freedom Bands explores the diverse musical cultures of Central and South America in its upcoming concert “South of the Border”.  The program features composers hailing from Mexico to Argentina with works ranging from dances to marches to interpretations of music by indigenous peoples.  This fiesta musical features the full concert band along with six chamber ensembles presenting a wide variety of musical styles.

 

“’South of the Border’ is an experiment for us in a couple of ways,” said AFB President Cliff Norris.  “First, we will highlight the immense talent in our group by featuring six different small ensembles from the band during the first half.  The audience will experience a wide variety of sonorities and musical styles.  Second, our concert seeks to engage the audience directly with the musical cultures of several different countries.  I am sure there will be new, unusual and exciting sounds for everyone to hear!”

 

The chamber ensembles will present tangoes from Argentina, dances from Brazil, and explore some of the origins of music in Central and South America.  For the second half of the show, AFB Music Director Dr. Patrick K. Carney has selected a program for the full concert band that features composers from Mexico.  Two of the works, “Huapango” by José Pablo Moncayo and “Sinfonia India” by Carlos Chavez, integrate elements of Native American music and instruments.

 

The concert program includes these works performed by our chamber ensembles:

“Cadiz” by Isaac Albeniz, performed by the Clarinet Choir

“Choros #2” by Heitor Villa-Lobos, a duet for flute and clarinet

“Adiós Nonino” and “Libertango” by Astor Piazzolla, peformed by the Saxophone Quintet

“Tres Palos Negros” by Bert Ligon, performed by the Double-Reed Trio

“Amparito Roca” by Jaime Teixidor, performed by the Brass Quintet

“Tico Tico” and “Wapango” by Zequinha de Abreu, performed by the AFB Woodwind Quintet

 

And these works performed by the full concert band:

“Himno Nacional de México” by Jaime Nuno

“Zacatecas” by Genaro Codina

“Sinfonia India” by Carlos Chavez

“Huapango by José Pablo Moncayo