The Santa Cecilia Orchestra is conducted by Sonia Marie De Leon de Vega. She was the first woman in history to receive a Vatican invitation to conduct a symphony orchestra at a Papal Mass. Univision, Mervyns, and Target named her Outstanding Latina of the Year in 2000. Hispanic Business Magazine voted her one of the 100 most influential Hispanics in the United States in 2001 and 2005. In April 2005 Hispanic Business Magazine named her in their “80 Elite Women” list. In 2005 she was named “Business Woman Of The Year in Arts And Entertainment” by Senator Jack Scott and Assemblywoman Carol Liu. In September 2006 she was awarded the “Local Hero” award by KCET. Vega is also celebrated in educational circles for creating the dynamic Discovering Music program that takes orchestra members into elementary schools in underserved Latino neighborhoods to introduce children to classical music and the instruments of the orchestra. This program also includes a choral component with weekly choral rehearsals with three community children choirs and two yearly presentations in venues like ours here at Oxy!
According to their website:
"The Vivaldi concerti in this program ("Brazil meets Baroque") offer a wonderful opportunity for our string orchestra to perform and for several of our musicians to shine as soloists. Then the Bach concerti set the stage magnificently for Villa-Lobos’ Bachianas Brasilieiras, which reflect both the composer’s Brazilian heritage and his lifelong admiration for the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. The Bachianas Brasilieiras combine contrapuntal techniques inspired by Bach with the melodic and rhythmic characteristics of the Brazilian folk idiom."
Admission is free with Oxy ID, plus one guest. Don't miss this exciting event!
Working as House Manager of Thorne Hall, I saw Santa Cecilia last year when they performed Dvorak's "New World" symphony (symphony number 9). This is probably my all time favorite classical piece, so seeing it performed live was a very special experience for me. During the Largo movement I actually cried.
ReplyDeleteAnyways, I would definitely recommend seeing Santa Cecelia. Sonia Marie De Leon de Vega is a wonderful woman with a real talent.