CCU concert honors birthday of Brazilian composer
Villa-Lobos was born in Rio de Janeiro on March 5, 1887. After travelling across Brazil collecting folk music, he returned home to study music at the National Institute of Music in Rio de Janeiro, where his instrument of choice was the cello. In 1932, he gained enough acclaim to receive a governmental grant to study music in Paris. He returned seven years later to become the director of music education in Rio de Janeiro. Villa-Lobos visited America in 1944 to score the film “Green Mansions” starring Audrey Hepburn and Anthony Perkins.
Tracy, whose focus is on classical guitar performance, has long been a fan of the late Brazilian composer. “I decided to put on this concert because Villa-Lobos has been one of my favorite composers throughout college,” says Tracy. “Unfortunately, he is not as famous as Mozart and Bach, so I came up with the idea to honor his 125th by putting together a concert solely of his works to expose the public to some of his chamber music and encourage them to check out some of his other pieces as well.”
CCU students set to perform include: Curtis McDonald, guitar; Charles Grace, guitar; Michael Cribb, guitar; Zachary Patton, guitar; Mark Kendree, marimba; Stephen Dinda, clarinet; Casey Hawkins, flute; Leanne Smith, flute; Jack Graham, piano; and the Rising Tides Saxophone Quartet. Tickets are: general admission, $3; CCU and Horry Georgetown Technical College students, free with ticket (one per valid ID); CCU and HGTC faculty/staff, free with ticket (two per valid ID); children ages 10 and under, free with adult supervision.
For more information, contact the Wheelwright Auditorium Box Office at 843-349-2502 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.