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For Immediate Release
LOCAL STUDENTS HELP SPECIAL NEEDS SCHOOL IN MEXICO
Brioso Quintet to perform Benefit Concert and premiere
new composition by Austin composer, Steve Bernal
AUSTIN, Texas - (July 8, 2008) - The Brioso Quintet, McCallum Fine Arts Academy's premier string ensemble, will put its musical talents to work to help Nuestros Niños, a school for children and youth with mental and physical disabilities located in Cuernavaca, Mexico. The benefit concert is sponsored by Blackerby Violin Shop and will take place at the beautiful Mexican American Culture Center located at 600 River Street, Sunday, July 20 at 7 pm.
The Brioso Quintet typically performs at weddings, parties, corporate events and community events, playing selections from Bach to the Beatles. They have worked especially hard to raise money for the McCallum Orchestra Performance Fund, established to help orchestra students fund their Carnegie Hall performance next June. The Brioso Quintet represents the principle players from the McCallum Fine Arts Academy Orchestra, including Gonzalo Hernando, graduate senior on violin, Caris Longoria, graduate senior on violin, Catherine Cotham, graduate senior on cello, August Dennis, graduate senior on bass and Caitlin Coughlan, junior on viola.
The quintet will perform two works, one by Antonín Dvořák and String Quintet in B flat, Op.1, No.3, a work composed especially for them by Austin musician/composer Steve Bernal, which they will premiere at this performance. Bernal created this piece to commemorate the high school graduation of members of the Brioso Quintet.
"Cellist Catherine Cotham and I considered searching for a quintet that would distinctly feature the cello part, but then decided to bring some new music to the repertoire," said Bernal. "Musically, I perceive the phrases like waves, with a touch of uncertainty at the beginning, (life after graduation, perhaps?), then an aggressive stance moving toward accomplishment, occasionally disrupted by that nagging uncertainty. All the while, the cellist pushes onward with some slightly gymnastic playing, culminating in a melodic line that may encourage bringing everyone back together, if only for the time being," he explained.
Also on the program is Dvořák's String Quintet No. 2 in G major. The quintet just received top awards at the University Interscholastic League's State Solo and Ensemble Contest for their contest performance of the Dvořák's String Quintet first movement. They have been rehearsing for several months in preparation for this concert and have worked with Jessica Giliam-Valls, from the Austin Chamber Music Center through an in-school coaching program at McCallum Fine Arts Academy. Al Marabella of Blackerby Violin Shop in Austin explained, "It's an exciting program and we jumped at the opportunity to sponsor this group of talented and self-motivated students who are willing to share their musical gifts with the community and to help the children at Nuestros Niños. "
Nuestros Niños serves special needs children with physical and mental handicaps in Cuernavaca, Mexico. The school is owned and operated by violinist Gonzalo Hernando's aunt, Monica Hernando. "This school is near and dear to my heart because of my aunt. Cuernavaca is where I was born and I have played for these children before and have always wanted to help them out," says Hernando. He explains that "this is an accredited school, but the government does not help sufficiently with funding for medical treatments, therapy and other expenses. Many of the families are very low income and can't pay much for tuition, much less the needed medical expenses."
Patrons can meet the musicians and learn more about Nuestros Niños at a reception immediately following the performance. Sangria and Mexican hors d'oeuvres will be served.
"We are committed to giving a great performance and we hope to raise a lot of money for the students at Nuestros Niños," Hernando added.
### Contact:
Michael Coughlan
Hendrix Coughlan Media, Inc.
email: michael@hendrixcoughlan.com
phone: 512.420.0968
512.413.1601
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