Acclaimed Brazilian Pianist to Perform Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue

Las Vegas’ premiere contemporary ensemble The Desert Winds to perform with guest artist

LAS VEGAS, Mar. 31, 2014 ­­­­-- The Desert Winds, Las Vegas’ premiere contemporary wind ensemble, will feature famed Brazilian pianist, Tânia Cançado. Cançado will perform her signature piece, George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” with guest conductor, Steven Trinkle, on May 17, 2014, at Community Lutheran Church at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online in advance for $15 at www.thedesertwinds.org or at the door the night of the concert.

Tânia Mara Lopes Cançado is an internationally-acclaimed pianist and is currently dean of the School of Music at the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. She studied with eminent pianists Eduardo Hazan (Brazil), Jacques Klein (Brazil), Sergio Magnani (Italy), and Hans Graff (Austria). She has also toured with many symphony orchestras throughout Brazil, Cuba, and the United States.

This concert, “ELEMENTS: Air”, marks the end of The Desert Winds’ season 2013-2014. The Desert Winds is a local wind ensemble led by artistic director, Charles A Maguire. The group is comprised of over 50 professional and semi-professional musicians, who primarily showcase music of contemporary composers. Now in their fifth season, The Desert Winds was voted “Best Performing Arts Group” in the LVRJ’s “Best of Las Vegas” for 2014.

The Desert Winds with CNY In The Desert

ELEMENTS: EARTH THE DW IN CONCERT

The Desert Winds will open their 5th season entitled “Elements” October 11, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.  

Continuing in residency at the beautiful Community Lutheran Church located at 3720 East Tropicana Avenue, this opening concert will embrace the music of the Element:  EARTH.  Featuring the works of Michael Markowski, Robert W. Smith, Aaron Copland and the late Michael Kamen, this concert will explore nature and all of its compounding beauty.  The “DW”continues to advance the appreciation of modern repertoire by educating, inspiring, and entertaining audiences.  Limited Season Passes are still available for $40 and individual donation tickets are available for $10 by going to www.TheDesertWinds.org and clicking on Tickets.  Please contact Jordan Mathisen at 702-751-4676 or thedesertwinds@gmail.com for more information.

ELEMENTS: EARTH

Post by Chuck Maguire.

Our 2013-14 SEASON: ELEMENTS

LIMITED NUMBER OF SEASON PASSES AVAILABLE BY GOING TO:

THE DESERT WINDS SEASON PASSES

Press Release

The Desert Winds “Japanese Sketches” Concert 2/16/13

The Desert Winds, Las Vegas’ premiere contemporary wind ensemble, cordially invites you to the next concert of its 2012-3 Season:

The Desert Winds promotes the performance of contemporary wind band literature as a rendering of today’s societal expressions, and strives to advance the appreciation of modern repertoire through outreach to educate, inspire, and entertain audiences. The Desert Winds next concert entitled “Japanese Sketches” will take place on Saturday, February 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Community Lutheran Church (3720 East Tropicana Ave; Las Vegas, NV 89121). The program will feature music by Japanese composers, including the North American première of Jun Nagao's Die Heldenzeit with guest saxophone artist Lynzii O'Connor.  Donation tickets are available online at www.thedesertwinds.org for $10. Please contact Samantha Reber, Publicity Advisor, at 702-751-4676 or thedesertwinds@gmail.com for more information.

Something Special!!!

There is something special about December.  When living in the desert, we don't always have the chill in the air or the snow on the ground. Being raised in Northeast Ohio, I was a child of snow days, snowball throwing, snowmen building, etc. from the time I could walk.  When I moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1996, it was definitely a different climate to accept.  I quickly discovered that the holidays are what you make it.  While I was a teacher, the time between Thanksgiving and Winter Break were the fastest three weeks known to man.  Fine Arts Week would need to be developed, winter concerts would need to be performed, parades would need to be marched, and then it was Christmas.  The bustle was the only thing that could be enjoyed because there wasn't time for anything else.

Since I have left the teaching profession, I have had some time to reflect on a lot of experiences.  I wouldn't trade my 17 years of teaching for anything, because it has made me the woman I am today.  I would have loved to stop and enjoy the great aspects of my career, including my students, my colleagues, and the music.  So much of who we are as people get lost in today's society. I am a wife, a mother, a sales director, a private lesson teacher, a clinician, an oboist.  I can wear one hat, or all of them at once, depending on the time of day.  My story is no different than any adult's in today's world.  We are constantly pulled in multiple directions, and rarely have time to take a breath and enjoy the moment.

This year, I have looked forward to playing, and using my oboe as my outlet.  Music-making was the part that I knew I would miss as a conductor, but I was looking forward to becoming a better oboist by playing in Las Vegas' Contemporary Wind Ensemble, The Desert Winds.  I have used the weekly rehearsals as my escape, and enjoy the people who are a part of this group and creating something truly special.  Each concert gives us new challenges as an ensemble.  Our musicianship is elevated, our passion for what we do is ignited, and I know our audience base is expanding because of it.

I have been able to look forward to our upcoming Christmas Concerts with a renewed energy and excitement!  Each rehearsal brings us closer in our preparation.  Each nuance that is added creates more opportunities for enjoyment from both the musician and the audience member.  The literature we will be performing on both nights is fun to play and extremely enjoyable to listen to as an audience member.  If you haven't been to a Desert Winds concert, now is the time to make plans to do so! December 14 will be at Community Lutheran Church and December 15 will be at Green Valley United Methodist Church.  Both concerts start at 7:30pm.  Even though we won't have freezing temperatures or snow, you will be put into the Christmas Spirit!  I know that if you attend either of these nights, you will be entertained, energized with something so special I cannot begin to put it into words, and you will become a fan of this great ensemble.  I hope to see you