On March 31, the Academia de Música de Vilar do Paraíso (AMVP) Guitar Orchestra performed for a welcoming audience at The Amsterdam at Harborside. The AMVP Orchestra was founded by conductor and teacher Augusto Pacheco. Their performance Sunday was brought to the Amsterdam as part of the International Concert Festival, founded and directed by Vladimir and Yelena Polezhayev.
Community Programs Manager Tracy Warzer and many other dedicated staff from the Amsterdam made this wonderful occasion possible. It was a beautiful musical event enjoyed by residents from the independent community at the Amsterdam and their family members. These gifted musicians performed five pieces that were all equally captivating, but it was the tango that got everyone’s toes tapping.
The International Concert Festival offers the opportunity for young musicians, composers and teachers to participate in various concerts in the world’s most prestigious concert halls, such as Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and renowned concert halls in Europe.
Audience members were given the opportunity to ask questions. Musicians talked about their travels to France, Germany and Russia. The audience learned that the musician’s ages range from 13 to 16 years old. After the performance, everyone gathered for a social hour in the living room at the Amsterdam. Everyone mingled and spoke with the musicians and some found that they had visited towns some of the musicians were from. Residents expressed their heartfelt thoughts about the concert.
Barbara Roaman said, “This was delightful and refreshing.”
Judy Schmertz said, “It was so very pleasant and different. I have never heard a guitar orchestra before.”
Director of Sales and Marketing Sara Gilroy summed it up by saying, “We didn’t want them to leave.”
