BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 12, 2012 – “La Noche de la Guitarra,” a 14-year Brownsville tradition celebrating the popularity, beauty and heritage of the guitar, will take place at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14 in The Arts Center at The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College. 

Seventeen university guitar orchestra students will be joined on stage by student guitar musicians from Brownsville Independent School District under the direction of Dr. Michael Quantz, Associate Professor of Music and Director of the Guitar Orchestra. 

“Collaboration is a necessary ingredient in music making; an opportunity for the high school musicians to collaborate with the university students on a performance such as this creates an enriching experience for everyone, while providing a venue for them to showcase and share their talents with the community,” Quantz said. 

Selections for the evening will cover a wide variety, showcasing the versatility and intricacy of the guitar and guitarists. The concert lineup includes music from Brazil by Celso Machado, the crowd-pleasing “Tico, tico” by Zequinha Abreu, music by Johann Sebastian Bach and Cuban composer Leo Brouwer. 

Quantz said the musicians are looking forward to performing “Toccata” by Brian Johanson, the California composer who has written several outstanding works for the Grammy-winning Los Angeles Guitar Quartet.

“This is an unpublished piece that Brian sent to us with his blessing,” Quantz said. “It is really something to work from the composer’s manuscript score and know you are playing an attractive piece that almost no one else knows about.” 

“Mountain Mission” by Adam Cotton will be the finale piece. 

“Cotton personally sent us ‘Mountain Mission’ about six years ago,” Quantz said. “It is one of the most entertaining ensemble pieces I’ve ever heard.” 

Special guests at the concert will be the Flute Choir directed by Dr. Cristina Ballatori, Assistant Professor of Music and Flute Choir Director. 

“Another treat of the evening will be the debut of the Brownsville Guitar Quintet, made up of guitar teachers from BISD,” Quantz said. “Our program will be one delight after the other, and I really encourage the community to come out and join other music lovers and support our musicians.” 

The concert is a fundraiser to support music students in the community. Proceeds will support scholarships, travel to music competitions, equipment and supplies for several music programs. 

Tickets are $7 and available when The Arts Center doors opens at 7 p.m. The performance begins at 8 p.m. Following the concert, a reception will allow concertgoers to meet the performers. 

For more information, call 882-7527.