Laredo welcomes visitors to arts events

By Brendan Townsend

On the weekend of March 3 – 5 Laredo, TX is hosting a number of events which may be of interest to arts lovers looking for an escape.
Laredo is a micro-environment that plays host to dozens of migratory wild-birds, and other unique natural visitors that attracts many persons to South Texas who are escaping the frigid northern temperatures. But what most people outside of the local area don’t know is that Laredo is also the home of the most nationally celebrated symphony orchestra in South Texas.

Having been awarded the ASCAP Award for Innovative Programming by the League of American Orchestras (the national organization that oversees professional orchestras across the country) in both 2007 and 2014 for its commitment to the performance of works by living American composers, the Laredo Phil offers 4-5 subscription concerts every year with diverse programming that not only covers the great music of the classical repertoire but modern “masterpieces” that are not often heard on the stages of major concert halls.

On the weekend of March 3rd-5th the weekend will be filled with music.

On Friday March 3rd the Laredo Phil hosts its annual Rising Stars Concert, with two performances at 10:00 and 12:30 in the Recital Hall at the Center for the Fine & Performing Arts at Texas A&M International University.

This concert, designed as an educational experience for local elementary school children to introduce live music with performers who are not much older than the audience – in this case 12 year old pianist Adrian Romoff, who has twice appeared on NBC’s Ellen show and was a contestant on America’s Got Talent.

Adrian will also play a role in the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra’s concert on Sunday March 5th at 3:00 p.m. also in the TAMIU Center for the Fine & Performing Arts.

Adrian Romoff

Also on that program will be music in memory of those who died on 9/11 by Robert Wendell, the love story of Hamlet & Ophelia as depicted by Edward Mac Dowell, the Concerto for Alto Saxophone & Orchestra by Ibert and the 5 Ruckert Lieder of Gustav Mahler.

Gary Louie

The Laredo Phil is welcoming world renowned musicians Gary Louie (saxophone) and Adrienne Danrich (soprano) to be soloists in this concert. Adrienne Danrich is a Grammy Award –winning artist who has performed across the country, while Mr. Louie has performed not only in the US but across Europe and has recorded with the St. Petersburg Symphony.

Adrienee Danrich

Other arts events take place at the Laredo Center for the Arts, the Webb County Heritage Museum and at the Martinez Fine Arts Center at Laredo Community College. Local hotels are offering special rates for guests visiting Laredo to attend any of these events.

For tickets and more information about the Laredo Phil concert offerings visit their website at www.laredophil.com or call (956) 326-3042.