Black Violin—Co-hosts and Performance
Black Violin is composed of classically trained violist and violinist Wil Baptiste and Kev Marcus who combine their classical training and hip-hop influences to create a distinctive multi-genre sound that is often described as “classical boom”. The band released their major label debut Stereotypes (featuring Black Thought of The Roots and MC Pharoahe Monch) on Universal Music which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Classical Crossover Chart and #4 on the Billboard R&B Chart. NPR took note and declared “their music will keep classical music alive for the next generation.”
Pritchard Music Academy’s Powerhouse Brass—Performance presented by Pritchard’s Music Academy
Powerhouse Brass Quintet is the premier ensemble at Pritchard Music. This ensemble is invitation only and is made up of five of the top players in Montgomery County. The group typically performs over 50 performances a year. Highlights include being a featured student performance group for the Great American Brass Band Festival (www.GABBF.org) in Danville, KY, performing at the Maryland State House, Ellipse Park in DC at the National Christmas Tree, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Oktoberfest, Zoo Lights at the National Zoo, Children's Inn at NIH, WWII Memorial, Iwo Jima Memorial, the Pentagon and more.
A Merry-achi Christmas - performance presented by Mariachi Nuevo Santander
Elroy Garza, Director
With 26 years of musical excellence to their name, Mariachi Nuevo Santander was established in 1994 under the direction of Yamil Yuñes. In 2013, former Roma High School alum Eloy Garza was approached to take the helms of the Roma ISD Mariachi Program and quickly re-established the high caliber standards for which Roma is known for.