Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico - With the inspiring leadership of Conductor Daniel Oliveros, the Puerto Vallarta Chamber Orchestra (PVCO) will present "An American in Puerto Vallarta," a concert of music by North American composers who combined elements of jazz and popular music of their eras to create their own unique symphonic sounds, at 5:00 pm on Sunday, February 19 at Teatro Vallarta.

The work of several North American composers will be presented. John Robertson, who resides in Toronto and Puerto Vallarta, is an accomplished composer best known for his opera Orpheus which premiered in Bulgaria in 2015. The work of Mexican composers Mario Kuri-Aldana and Jose Palo Moncayo, who have used Latin-American rhythms and themes in their symphonic works, will be highlighted. A piece by Aaron Copland will also be performed.

The PVCO is inviting approximately 8 musicians from the youth orchestras of Guanajuato to join them for this exciting performance, which will include George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue with virtuoso pianist Rachid Bernal as guest soloist.

Tickets will be available at the door and suggested donations will vary, depending on seat locations.

PVCO's March concert, "Dvorak and the Balkans," will feature music from southeastern Europe, including Antonin Dvorak's Slavonic Dances and New World Symphony. Stay tuned for date and venue details.

About the Puerto Vallarta Chamber Orchestra

The name "chamber orchestra" is a bit of a misnomer. What started out as an intercultural cross-generational project, with its first rehearsals in 2004 and premiere concert in 2005, the PVCO has steadily grown to the size of a full orchestra. With over 40 members, including expatriates, professionals and advanced local student musicians, PVCO is now the most advanced orchestral ensemble in Puerto Vallarta, bringing together people of varied ages and backgrounds from Mexico, the United States, Canada, England, China, Argentina, Venezuela and Cuba. PVCO also houses and supports different ensembles, like the Flute Ensemble and the Salty Paw Jazz Orchestra, which is a student Big Band that has been performing in several venues around town.

The Puerto Vallarta Chamber Orchestra is a volunteer organization and relies on the community for financial support. Importantly, for several years the American School has generously provided PVCO with rehearsal space, storage space, a performance venue, and an overall appreciation of who and what the orchestra stands for - these are immense contributions that the orchestra members deeply appreciate. As the orchestra grows, so does the need for a dedicated physical home - a space for lessons, rehearsals, performances, meetings, and always the possibility of new student and professional activities - all with the opportunity to give to the community.

The orchestra appreciates your donations. They are needed for music stands and chairs for new members, purchase of timpani (kettle drums) and other instruments, music purchase, costs of concert set ups, sound equipment, lighting, videography, and printing, to name a few, and of course a home base. If you wish to make a donation now, please contact Daniel Oliveros by cell phone 322-105-8344, through Facebook or via email at d_oliveros(at)yahoo.com.