American Brass Quintet Outreach at Sacred Heart Chapel on March 5, 2018

On March 5, 2018 we heard an inspired Outreach Concert by the American Brass Quintet in the stunning Sacred Heart Chapel.  The title ‘chapel’ is a misnomer as the building is a remarkably beautiful and rather large English Gothic church which took 28 years to build.  It boasts an incredible, at least 4 to 5 seconds, reverberation of sound.  The chapel is a great source of pride to the people in the San Antonio community at large and to the West Side neighborhood in particular.  It was a fitting spot in which to hear resplendent and impeccably performed brass music.  The members of ABQ relished being able to perform in this space.

The American Brass Quintet played selections taken from their program performed on Sunday, including the commissioned work the river remembers by San Antonio composer James Scott Balentine.  San Antonio Poet Laureate Carmen Tafolla gave a beautifully dramatic reading of her poem, This River Here, which provided the inspiration for Dr. Balentine’s work.  There was an interesting panel discussion among composer, poet, and performers regarding the creative process in presenting, experiencing, and creating a work of art.  Over the weekend the work was played three times.  Each time the depth, flow and mystery of the San Antonio River was expanded.

This concert was a fitting and memorable tribute to our San Antonio’s Tricentennial.

Submitted by Allyson Dawkins