MetWinds Spring 2026 Concert: "Spanish Inspirations"

Pre-Concert Lecture by Guest Conductor Brian Cardany at 2:30 pm

* On the day of the concert, tickets can be purchased at the door.

About the Concert

Join us for a spirited journey celebrating the rich musical landscape of Spain and Latin America! Our program begins with an energetic work reminiscent of Spanish flamenco, Alfred Reed’s El Camino Real. We then visit the iconic Grand Mosque of Cordoba (Spain) with Julie Giroux’s vibrant depiction of its rich multi-religious history and eclectic physical structure in La Mezquita de Cordoba. Back in the United States, Frank Ticheli pays homage to San Antonio’s Riverwalk and the strong Hispanic influence that enriches the American Southwest. We then take a thematic detour to the snow-covered landscapes of the upper Midwest with a world premiere of a new work by Aaron Israel Levin, commissioned by the Metropolitan Wind Symphony. Michael Gandolfi’s well-crafted Vientos y Tangos (another MetWinds commissioning project) brings us to Argentina where we experience the tango in a variety of styles and moods. Our journey concludes with the wind band classic Symphonic Dance No. 3, “Fiesta” by James Clifton Williams, who was inspired by the “pageantry of Latin American celebration – street bands, bull fights, bright costumes, and the colorful legacy of proud people.” We invite you to experience the rhythms, stories, and cultures that have shaped these powerful works and to celebrate with us the enduring influence of Spanish and Latin American musicals traditions.

PROGRAM

El Camino Real - Alfred Reed

La Mezquita de Cordoba - Julie Giroux

San Antonios Dances - Frank Ticheli

MetWinds Commission (TBA) - Aaron Israel Levin

- World Premiere

Vientos y Tangos - Michael Gandolfi

Symphonic Dance No. 3, “Fiesta - Clifton Williams

About the Guest Conductor

Dr. Brian Cardany is the Director of Bands at the University of Rhode Island, where he conducts the Wind Ensemble and Concert Band, directs the athletic bands, and teaches instrumental conducting. He also serves as coordinator for both the Southern New England Honor Band and URI Commencement music activities, and is the conductor for the URI Alumni Wind Ensemble.

His efforts to promote new music and works of artistic merit has included a presentation at the Midwest Clinic, several contributions to the Teaching Music Through Performance series (GIA Publications) and regular involvement with commissions and the recording of new works.

As an avid supporter of life-long music making, Dr. Cardany also serves as conductor for four Rhode Island community ensembles, including The American Band, the Ocean State Pops Orchestra, the South County Chamber Orchestra, and the South Kingstown Community String Orchestra. Education

Brian holds a B.M in music ed from James Madison University (1992), a M.M (2000) and D.M.A (2006) in music education from Arizona State University.

About MetWinds

The Metropolitan Wind Symphony was Founded by Jerry Gardner in 1971, and was awarded the prestigious 2015 Sudler Silver Scroll Award for Community Concert Bands by the John Philip Sousa Foundation. Currently celebrating its 55th anniversary, MetWinds comprises over 60 talented woodwind, brass, and percussion instrumentalists who audition for membership and seating. It makes a significant contribution to the cultural life of the Greater Boston community by providing its audiences with high quality concerts and its members with opportunities for musical growth.

MetWinds presents formal performances of traditional and contemporary wind band literature, as well as more informal pops concerts throughout the metropolitan Boston area. Members rehearse Wednesdays from September through June, traveling from more than 30 communities in Massachusetts and neighboring states. All volunteers, they also pursue careers as varied as education, engineering, computer science, medicine, law, music, and public health.