Mozart in C

Mozart in C is the first presentation of our newly created Percussion Ensemble and Chamber Orche- stra. The Ensemble is the first of its kind in South- ern Nevada, which offers percussion students the opportunity to perform chamber music in a small ensemble setting. Led by Las Vegas native, Manny Gamazo Jr., the ensemble will be performing newly created works by American composers highlighting a variety of rhythmic and sound effects. The Chamber Orchestra features local Las Vegas professionals collaborating with up-and-coming talented musicians. Our featured soloist and conce- rtmaster is renowned violinist, Yuri Cho, who will lead Mozart’s sixth string serenade for strings and timpani. The work features some of Mozart’s best attributes including elegance, finesse, and exotic- ism. To continue, Mozart’s mentor and friend, Joseph Haydn, was nicknamed the “father of the symphony” and string quartet for his contributions and developments to both musical forms. Here we feature his grand and exciting finale to Symphony no. 88. Yet, this concert isn’t called Mozart in C for no reason. In the 1950’s, Terry Riley began experi- menting with minimalism, improvisation, and looping technique. His first major work would bec- ome In C, which contains 53 cells that are repeated in order at the discretion of the performers. But unlike Mozart who expanded the classical art form, Terry Riley’s “Concert Art Form” sought to reduce the western music to total simplicity.