Connecting through nature

The Patron of the Arts series resumes with three free-of-charge, in-person performances, beginning with a piano concert by Professor Kenneth Saxon at 7 p.m. Saturday in the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex in Edinburg.

The opening performance by Saxon will contain music that was inspired by nature, such as Beethoven/Liszt’s “Pastoral” Symphony, Béla Bartok’s “Out of Doors” Suite, Oliver Messiaen’s “Catalogue D’Oiseaux” and Simeon Roncal’s Bolivian Cuecas.

Saxon said he chose the music because in times like these, when people can feel isolated, it is important to be reminded of what connects us: nature.

  “The idea of the recital is to display that both music and nature are both gratifying and fulfilling things for us as humans,” he said. “So, it was important for this recital to have a very pro-nature theme.”

Billboard-charting saxophonist Derek Brown will perform BEATBoX SAX as part of the Patron of the Arts Distinguished Artist Series at 3 p.m. Jan. 30 in the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex on the Edinburg campus.

Derek has performed solo concerts across the United States and over 25 countries, according to the biography on his website.

Previously the director of jazz studies at Abilene Christian University for six years, Derek received his bachelor’s degree in music performance from Hope College in 2006 and his master’s in jazz studies at the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music in 2008, according to his website.

Mark Ramírez, associate director of the School of Music and an associate professor of percussion, is also performing in the upcoming Patron performances.

Ramírez’s recital will take place at 7 p.m. Jan. 31 in the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex in Edinburg. The concert will consist of post-modern electronic jazz percussion compositions and a few original compositions. Accompanying him will be Josiah Boorznazian, an assistant professor of saxophone, and Marco Schirripa, assistant professor of percussion.

Ramírez said the performances are a way to bring people together.

“[At times like these], it’s very easy to feel disconnected and we all want to feel as if we are connected in some way,” he said. “There’s a big separation between everyone because we’re seeing each other through computer screens. It’s important for us to have this in-person connection, while being safe.”

According to the Patron of the Arts website, safety precautions are being put in place in order to ensure the safety of everyone who comes to see a show. Concertgoers are encouraged to use facial coverings and to keep a social distance. Digital programs will also be available to minimize physical contact.

Schirripa said the excitement outweighs the nerves when returning to the stage and being one of the first performers for the Spring 2022 season of the Patron series.

“With COVID-19 being so prevalent within the last couple years, performances have almost completely come to a halt,” he said. “Within the past year, performances have begun again and I am so excited to return to the stage in front of a [live] audience.”

Saxon emphasized the importance of art performances and exhibitions like Patron of the Arts.

“I hope that the people that do come and hear the concert will come away with it enriched by this idea that things, such as music and nature that most people take for granted, are fundamentally

important to us and should be celebrated,” he said. “We should enjoy them, preserve them and keep them in our lives.”