KSO RECEPTION — City of Kingsville downtown developer Bob Trescott, left, and journalist Patti Trujillo, right, discuss music with Aurora Garza at a reception following the Feb. 7 Kingsville Symphony Orchestra concert held at the H.M. King High School Auditorium. (Photo courtesy of Carol Gerwick) The Kingsville Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Conductor Brendan Townsend, gave another strong performance in its third concert of the season on Sunday, Feb. 7.

One of the program’s selections was composed by J.S. Bach, honoring this season’s theme of “Bach to the Future.” And the H.M. King High School Brahmas were involved four different ways.

First, the venue of the concert was the auditorium on the campus of H.M. King High School. The fine acoustics of this venue complemented the music wonderfully. Next, the “Star Spangled Banner” was conducted by H.M. King Band Director Rolando Molina, who has led the Mighty Brahma Marching Band to many UIL State Contests. Third, the featured soloist was H.M. King graduate and world-renowned cellist Gilberto Munguia. And the final selection of the concert featured current band students from H.M. King and other area high schools.

After Mr. Molina conducted a stirring rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” (arranged by TAMUK music professor Greg Sanders), Mr. Townsend led the orchestra in a performance of J.S. Bach’s “Fantasia and Fugue in C Minor.” Interestingly, the Bach piece, originally composed for organ, was transcribed for orchestra by Sir Edward Elgar, a late 19th-early 20th century composer.

Rounding out the first half of the concert was a performance of Elgar’s own “Concerto in E Minor for Cello

and Brahmas and Orchestra,” featuring cello soloist Mr. Munguia. From the very first note of the concerto, Mr. Munguia mesmerized the audience with his virtuoso performance. In his hands, the cello became an extension of himself, expressing various emotions in each of the four movements. Those in attendance will long remember this remarkable performance.

After a brief intermission, the orchestra performed “Symphony Number 4 in D Minor” by Robert Schumann. Known as the “Romantic” Symphony, this piece celebrates emotions and feelings in an often exuberant style. Maestro Townsend coaxed a beautifully expressive performance out of the orchestra, and was visibly winded by the end of this complex piece.

Concluding the afternoon’s program was a performance of the brief “Introduction – Sunrise” part of Richard Strauss’s “Also Sprach Zarathustra.”

This very forceful piece is best known for its use in the 1968 film 2001: A Space Brahmas Odyssey. This performance was made even more powerful by the addition of some 20 musicians from the music programs of three area high schools: H.M. King, Riviera, and Bishop.

Excellent program notes were once again provided by TAMUK music professor Judith Cole.

This concert was dedicated to all the area service clubs and organizations, which number no less than seventeen, indicating a widespread willingness among our citizens to become engaged in community service and improvement activities.

The KSO’s next concert, honoring medical service professionals, is scheduled for Sunday, April 11, 2010, at 3 p.m., in Jones Auditorium on the campus of TAMUK.

David Sabrio is Regents Professor of English; Sue Sabrio is a math lecturer. The New Orleans natives showed their dedication to KSO by attending the concert despite coverage already beginning on television of the Superbowl.