“Calling El Paso Youth Symphony Orchestra maestro Phillip Gabriel Garcia passionate about music would be an understatement,” writes Dave Acosta in Thursday’s (6/15) El Paso Times. “During rehearsals for its Electric Rock Orchestra’s upcoming tour of California, Garcia directs the roughly 30-piece ensemble through ’80s classic [songs]…. The Electric Rock Orchestra features El Paso Youth Symphony Orchestra members playing alongside adult rock musicians from El Paso.… Garcia founded the orchestra in 1993 at the age of 17 while he was still a student at Hanks High. Since then, the group has gone on 10 tours, performed with Beatles tribute bands, performed in Washington, D.C., and embarked on a tour that included then-Mayor John Cook and several City Council members.… The El Paso Youth Symphony performs a variety of styles of music, from classical to pop. Membership, which costs $20 per rehearsal, is open to any musician who wants to join, with no audition.… Monica Guardado’s son, Ivan, joined the orchestra two years ago.… ‘Before they would spend all their time playing X-Box and since, they just practice,’ Guardado said. ‘It’s helped him become more motivated in school, as well.’ ”
Posted June 16, 2017
