Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The Spring Concerts performed by the Puerto Vallarta Orchestra School's (OEPV) various ensembles during the months of March, April and May, have become a local tradition. The assemblages perform in various venues around town to present their work and demonstrate the progress that they've made - from the beginners' groups to orchestral workshop, the institution's most advanced assemblage.

On this occasion, we are pleased to announce two concerts to close the spring season, which also marks the end of an important cycle for the OEPV teachers, our students, our sponsors and the Vallarta public.

On Wednesday, May 28th at 5:00 pm in the Juan Luis Cifuentes Lemus auditorium at Centro Universitario de la Costa, the first concert will be presented in a didactic format, with the same structure that allowed us to explore, execute and enjoy the Classical period. Admission to the concert is free.

On Thursday, May 29th at 8:00 pm on the Main Stage of the Act II Entertainment complex (at the corner of Basilio Badillo and Insurgentes on Vallarta's south side) the OEPV assembly orchestral will accompany violin soloist Manuel Zogbi in a gala farewell concert to Maestro Miguel Almaguer, the OEPV's principal founder.

Admission to the concert is $150 pesos plus a minimum consumption of $50 pesos (two beers, or two soft drinks, or one national drink). Seating is limited to 150 attendees. After the concert we will have a cocktail to wish Maestro Almaguer success in his new projects and thank him for the almost four years he has given to the institution. Most of the proceeds at the door will go towards supporting the OEPV and its music programs.

About Maestro Miguel Almaguer

For three and a half years, Maestro Miguel Almaguer has been the principal conductor of the ensemble or orchestral workshop, as well as the artistic director of the OEPV. The youth music project, originally called "Team Miguel," was born and raised by his hand, and was the driving force behind the creation of the institution.

Maestro Almaguer was the first professional conductor to live and work in Puerto Vallarta full time, and the first to lead an orchestra in this town. He formed the city's first symphonic orchestral ensemble, has arranged and executed the most successful concerts of classical music that have taken place in Puerto Vallarta, and is leaving an invaluable legacy to the orchestra's future directors and everyone who accompanied him in the training and consolidation of the Puerto Vallarta Orchestra School project.

After nearly four years spent on the project, Almaguer has decided to take on a personal project outside of Puerto Vallarta aimed at professional development and consolidation as a composer. In his own words, "I will pause my activities as a conductor to focus on my own work as a composer and cultural manager." His last concert as director at this stage of his life will be in front of one of the major professional orchestras in the country. The details of this event will be released in a statement from the press office of the orchestra that will host Maestro Almaguer as a guest conductor.

Special Guests

The end of every cycle deserves a big celebration, and true to our tradition, the OEPV has decided to celebrate the closure of this cycle by inviting two musicians of international stature to join us in our end of season performances.

These two musicians, who have extensive experience in professional orchestra circuits, will not only play with us, but will also share their experience through classes and workshops.

Manuel Zogbi will give a high strings (violin and viola) improvisation workshop on Monday, April 26th and Tuesday the 27th at 5:30 pm at the OEPV facilities. These workshops are open to intermediate and advanced level violinists, whether a student of the OEPV or not.

Gregory Stavroudis will work behind closed doors all week with the OEPV horn players.

On Wednesday, May 28, after the concert in the CUC auditorium, music professionals Miguel Almaguer, Manuel Zogbi, Tony Vierlyn, and José Manuel Fernández will give a talk, entitled "My Future in Music," that is intended to be a discussion about the myths and truths of becoming a professional musician, including dedication to the work and devotion to 'the show.'

About Our Guest Musicians:

Manuel Zogbi: Violinist

Born into a musical family, occupying the sixth generation. His first contact with music was through his mother, who motivated him at an early age. At age 10, he began his violin studies in the city of St. Louis, Missouri under the guidance of his uncle, Manuel Ramos, in collaboration with music teacher, Rose Martin. At the age of 11, Manuel performed his first concert in that city and won several competitions, which opened many doors. Later, he specialized in contemporary and popular music in Monterrey, NL under the guidance of Maestro Pedro Fundora Armas.

Zogbi has appeared in various venues throughout the Mexican Republic and the American Union, participating with various orchestras including the Polytechnic Chamber Orchestra, the Acapulco Philharmonic, the Camerata de Coahuila, the Venezuela Symphony Orchestra, the New Millennium Chamber Orchestra, and the Ramos Dynasty Chamber Orchestra, among others. He has toured several European countries like France, Greece, Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria.

He has performed with various international artists such as Ronnie Cole, Chuck Mangione, and on several occasions with El Piano de America, Raul Diblasio, who has invited him to share his stage. He was the only violinist to accompany the popular Mexican multi Grammy award winning singer and songwriter Joan Sebastian on his tour throughout the Mexican Republic, the United States, and other countries in Central and South America.

Participating and winning the international competition organized by the "YouTube" video website to become part of the YouTube Symphony Orchestra is among his most notable victories. Out of over three thousand contestants from around the world, Manuel Zogbi was not only the only Mexican violinist to win, but was also selected as first violinist by the Director and Composer Tan Dun (Oscar winner for the The Tigre and the Dragon movie soundtrack). This position resulted in a performance with the YouTube Symphony Orchestra Concertino at Carnegie Hall.

Gregory Stavroudis: French Horn

Gregory Stavroudis began his professional studies at Indiana University in 1977, being a student of Philip Farkas (principal horn of the Chicago Symphony) and Robert Elworthy. He graduated in 1982 from the University of Arizona under the guidance of teacher Edward Murphy. From 1979 to 1980 he studied under Josef Veleba, who plays second horn of the Wiener Philhamoniker. From 1984 to 1991 he study with Jerome Ashby, co-principal horn player with the New York Philharmonic. He has worked as an on-call cornista for the New York Philharmonic, the Orchestra of Michoacán, the Chihuahua Symphony, the Aguascalientes Symphony Orchestra, the Sinaloa Arts Symphony and the Xalapa Symphony. Gregory served as Principal Horn touring with the Autonomous University of Nuevo León Symphony Orchestra, Principal with the Symphony Orchestra of the University of Guanajuato, and the co-principal horn with the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra, among others.

Everyone is invited to attend these concerts that the boys have prepared with great effort and care. Come out and support our young musicians and the Puerto Vallarta Orchestra School.