Concert in Brownsville

by Tony Vindell/LFN

A concert like no other was given by a group of virtuosos attending the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

Sixteen trombone players excelled themselves before a small crowd on Monday, Dec. 9 at Texas Southmost College Performing Arts Center in Brownsville.

The trombone choir played a repertoire of six songs, including “One for the Road” by Stephen Verhelst, “Thaxted” by Gustav Holst and “Toccata” by Pablo Ruiz Henao.

The 13-man, three-woman choir has been playing in front of national and international audiences and has been invited to play in Japan next year.

Pedro Martinez, a music director with a doctoral degree, commended the students as some of them commute between the UTRGV Brownsville and Edinburg campuses.

Israel Lopez, a bass trombone player, said his goal is to become a band director.

The concert was the university’s last presentation of the year held at the relatively new arts center.

Brownsville resident Ruben Rubiano said the concert was one of a kind.

“It was beautiful,” he said. “It’s really amazing seeing and hearing these young musical talents playing the trombone.”