Saturday, December 10, 7:30 pm
Sunday, December 11, 3:00 pm
Skagit Symphony brings you premiere performances by Canadian composer Michael Torke with his sonic portrait of “December”, followed by a seldom-heard fusion of jazz and classical traditions from America’s most prolific composer, Edward “Duke” Ellington. In collaboration with Mount Vernon High School’s nationally recognized Mariachi and Folkloric ensemble, we’ll send you home filled with the spirit of the holidays.
Pre-Concert Chat - You're invited to arrive a little early to join Maestro Wheatley and guest artist, Ramon Rivera, for an intimate pre-concert chat. Theater doors open at 6:40 pm for general seating, with the chat beginning at 6:45 pm. When the chat concludes, attendees will leave the theater and re-enter with their ticket to take their reserved seats for the concert.
Michael Torke
December
Edward “Duke” Ellington arr. Luther Henderson
Three Black Kings
Manuel de Falla
Three Dances from The Three-Cornered Hat
Ramon Rivera and MVHS Mariachi & Folklorico
We Three Kings
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Cielito Lindo
Feliz Navidad
ARTIST BIOS
Ramon Rivera
Ramon Rivera is the Director of Mariachi in Mount Vernon School District in Mount Vernon, Washington, where he teaches six mariachis and Folklorico classes with an enrollment of over two hundred students in grades six-twelve. Mr. Rivera has been recognized as a pioneer in cultural arts and has received numerous awards and accolades during his teaching career. As a clinician, Mr. Rivera has presented classes and workshops for KHS Music, VH1 Save the Music, H. Jimenez Guitars, Eastern Washington University, the University of Iowa Northern, Napa Valley College, the International Music Education Summit, Berklee Plus, and the for the Give a Note Foundation. Mr. Rivera was honored with The Washington State Golden Apple Award, the Jefferson Award, and the CMA Foundation National Teacher of Excellence. Mr. Rivera has had his School Mariachi Group perform for Garth Brooks, George Lopez, Mariachi Sol de Mexico, and Festivals all over the United States.
Mr. Rivera Twitter @riverateacher | Mr. Rivera IG @mr.ramonrivera | Web. ramonrivera.org
Mount Vernon High School Mariachi & Folklorico
Mount Vernon High School Mariachi & Folklorico is the most extensive Mariachi Program on the west side of the state. Over 120 students are enrolled in the Mariachi & Folklorico program. The mission of our Mariachi Program is to keep our Mexican traditions of dance and music alive with our youth. We believe that Mariachi Music will live forever in our community through our performances. THIS YEAR, the MV Mariachi has performed for Dolores Huerta and for Washington Governor Jay Inslee. This year we have a new Mariachi Director Ramon Rivera who is currently teaching two Folklorico Classes and four high school Mariachi Classes.