THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY College of Music presents the
Members of
The University Symphony Orchestra Alexander Jiménez, Music Director and Conductor Misaki Hall, Graduate Associate Conductor with special guest
Celso Cano, Guitar
Thursday, October 29, 2026 7:30 p.m. | Opperman Music Hall
PROGRAM Petite Suite
Misaki Hall, conductor
Concierto de Florida for guitar and orchestra (The Florida Concerto) (2025) I. Miccosukee: ancestral guardians II. Everglades: river of grass III. The Sunshine Village Celso Cano, guitar
Claude Debussy (1862–1918)
Leo Brouwer (b. 1939)
INTERMISSION Symphony No. 4 Allegro vivace Andante con moto Con moto moderato Saltarello: Presto
Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847)
ABOUT THE GUEST ARTIST Celso Cano is Teaching Faculty in Musicology at Florida State University. Prior to his appointment at FSU, Cano served as faculty at Nova Southeastern University, Bronx Conservatory of Music, and Bloomingdale School of Music in New York City. His interests include performing both early and contemporary music, and expanding the repertoire through transcription and composition for guitar. As a performer, he has perform in venues throughout the Americas and Europe and been the recipient of numerous prizes and awards including the Andrés Segovia Competition in Spain and the D’Addario Foundation Fellowship. His Eclipse for guitar, cello, and percussion was composed and performed while in residence at the Baryshnikov Arts Center in New York City. His solo guitar piece, Souvenirs, received the Ignacio Cervantes Prize at the 2019 Leo Brouwer International Composition Competition. Cano was born in Lima, Peru and moved to the United States at the age of eleven. He began his classical guitar studies with Lou Mowad in South Florida in 1987. In high school he attended the Stetson International Guitar Workshop, where he performed in masterclasses with Stephen Robinson and Adam Holzman. He earned the B.M. in guitar performance from the University of Arizona, where he studied with Thomas Patterson, and the M.M. from
Florida International University, where he studied under Rafael Padrón and Mesut Özgen. At FIU, he also learned to play lute while studying with lutenist and musicologist David Dolata. He became the first guitarist to win the School of Music’s annual concerto competition, performing Joaquín Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez with the FIU Symphony Orchestra under the direction of James Judd. Cano earned the D.M. in guitar performance from Florida State University, where he studied under world-renowned guitar professor Bruce Holzman. NOTES ON THE PROGRAM Brouwer: Concierto de Florida for guitar and orchestra In the Concierto de Florida, I immerse myself in a land woven from many threads: its plurality of voices, its landscapes, its histories, shaping a musical language that bridges tradition and modernity. The work is in three movements, offers distinct characters to “tell” a sonic story, so to speak. I always say that music expresses only itself; these extramusical elements are merely thematic pretexts that enrich and shape the evocations a composer conveys through their work. I. Miccosukee: ancestral guardians: Focused on the culture of the Miccosukee, an indigenous people of Florida and ancestral guardians of the Everglades, whose worldview endure to this day. The aim is to convey their vital energy through a musical discourse that blends intensity and sensitivity. Recall reading in the Cuban press about the “Miccosukee” group led by Buffalo Tiger (a great defender of indigenous self-determination in the 20th century) who traveled to Havana in July 1959, seeking recognition of their autonomy. After returning to Florida, they were officially recognized as a sovereign nation, strengthening the protection of their territories. That was also the moment I first learned of the Everglades. The music becomes a vehicle to represent their spirituality and love for Mother Earth. II. Everglades: river of grass: Marjory Stoneman’s Landmark book, The Everglades: River of Grass, gave this movement both its name and its pulse. She portrayed the Everglades as a living river – a sanctuary of water and grass – and called upon us to safeguard not only the land but also the native peoples who have lived in harmony with it for centuries. My homage is twofold: to the beauty of the place itself and to Stoneman’s enduring vision. Musically it translates into a language that seeks to reproduce their fluidity and vitality III. The Sunshine Village: We are speaking of Miami, a cosmopolitan city whose cultural fusion is reflected, in a way, in the music of this movement. The movement incorporates popular elements, highlighting the city’s diversity and vibrant energy. With gratitude to Maestro Alexander Jiménez and guitarist Celso Cano for bringing this project to life and to the Council on Research and Creativity at Florida State University for nurturing and supporting work that expands the American guitar repertoire and particularly that of this region. – Leo Brouwer August 13th, 2025
University Symphony Orchestra Personnel Alexander Jiménez, Music Director and Conductor Misaki Hall, Graduate Associate Conductor Violin 1 Masayoshi Arakawa‡ Klaus Bryant Emily Palmer Hayden Green Keren Garcia Elizabeth Milan Amanda Marcy Violin II Jean-Luc Cataquet* Alexa Dinges Mariana Reyes Parra Larah Pereira Irsia Ruiz Guzman Sarita Thosteson Viola Jeremy Hill* Yey Mulero Abigayle (Abi) Benoit Hannah Jordan Angeleena Jackson Madison Jansons Maya Johnson
Cello Connor Peterson* Natalie Taunton Mitchell George Jake Reisinger Sydney Spencer Maria Ruiz Bass Jarobi Watts* Connor Oneacre Paris Lallis Charlotte Wooldridge Flute Claire Park* Alexandra Kotsonis Emily Speight Piccolo Alexandra Kotsonis Emily Speight Oboe Zoe Gurwitz* Rebecca Johnson* Rebecca Keith
English Horn Andrew Swift Rebecca Keith Clarinet Steven Higbee* Jenna Eschner* Harper Golden Xavier Williams Bassoon Emmalee Odom* Jordan Vestal Susanna Campbell Horn Allison Hoffman* Wyatt Gibson* Davis Craddock Trumpet Thana Rangsiyawaranon* Christopher Pate*
Percussion Matthew Korloch* Gabrielle Overholt Sami Smith Caitlin Magennis Harp Keirstin Li Piano Erick Santiago-Jimenez Orchestra Manager Tori Young Orchestra Stage Manager Connor Oneacre Orchestra Librarians Misaki Hall Shaka Lwaki Library Bowing Assistant Keren Garcia Rodriguez ‡ Concertmaster * Principal / Co-Principal
To Ensure An Enjoyable Concert Experience For All… Please refrain from talking, entering, or exiting during performances. Food and drink are prohibited in all concert halls. Recording or broadcasting of the concert by any means, including the use of digital cameras, cell phones, or other devices is expressly forbidden. Please deactivate all portable electronic devices including watches, cell phones, pagers, hand-held gaming devices or other electronic equipment that may distract the audience or performers. Recording Notice: This performance may be recorded. Please note that members of the audience may at times be included in this process. By attending this performance you consent to have your image or likeness appear in any live or recorded video or other transmission or reproduction made in conjunction to the performance. Florida State University provides accommodations for persons with disabilities. Please notify the College of Music at (850) 644-3424 at least five working days prior to a musical event to request accommodation for disability or alternative program format.