The fifth annual Isla Verde Brass Festival in Isla Verde Argentina, located just 5 hours outside of Buenos Aires, took place from January 30 to February 5. Participants came from all over South American including Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Uruguay, and Venezuela for the weeklong eventl. Festival activities included solo and chamber music recitals from faculty and student participants. Faculty included Fernando Ciancio (principal trumpet of the Colon Theater Philharmonic Orchestra in Buenos Aires, Argentina); Alexander Barrios (principal trumpet of the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra, Venezuela) and Dr. Brandon Craswell (Assistant Professor of Trumpet at the University of Georgia, USA). The performances included de Falla’s Seven Spanish Songs performed by Dr. Craswell, Goedicke’s Concert Etude and Ropartz’s Andante et Allegro performed by Mr. Cianco, as well as the Tartini Concerto in D, performed by festival participant German Murcia
(Colombia). There were more than 74 participants in total, 30 of which were trumpet players. The daily schedule included morning warm-ups, master classes, trumpet ensemble, brass ensemble, brass quintet, and concerts each evening. There was also a solo competition. The prize was a chance to come to the USA and study trumpet (for free) with Craswell at the University of Georgia. This years winner was Dante Vargas, from Argentina, who performed the first two movements from Haydn’s Concerto for trumpet and orchestra in Eb and Arban’s fifth characteristic study. Vargas will begin his studies in fall 2011.
The Isla Verde Brass Festival extends great gratitude to its participants and the community for making the festival happen and blossom each year. Dates for the 2012 festival are Feb 5-11.
