West Side Connection celebrates the diversity in Buffalo through featured performers, composers, and repertoire. This year’s program features music from cultures around the world, along with the second place winner of the 2023 Sphinx Junior Division Competition, violinist Gabriela Salvador Riera.
Fernanda Lastra, conductor
Gabriela Salvador Riera, violin
2023 Sphinx Competition Junior Division winner
Program Repertoire:
Invincible Eagle
by John Philip Sousa
The Bamboula
by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor
Dorian Dance
by Lok-yan Tsang
Arabian Dances
by Brian Balmages
Violin Concerto in G major, Movement I
by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Gabriela Salvador Riera, violin
Acuarela
by Adolfo Mejía
It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)
by Duke Ellington
America the Beautiful
by Samuel A. Ward
Chapters:
00:00 Title Introduction
00:45 MUSIC: Invincible Eagle by John Philip Sousa
04:25 Onstage Introduction
05:13 LEARN: Music Culture of Africa
07:45 MUSIC: The Bamboula by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor
12:20 LEARN: Music Culture of Asia
14:52 MUSIC: Dorian Dan by Lok-yan Tsang
18:28 LEARN: Music Culture of Middle East
20:25 MUSIC: Arabian Dances by Brian Balmages
26:35 LEARN: Music Culture of Europe
27:20 Gabriela Salvador Riera, violin Introduction
27:45 Violin Concerto in G major, Movement I by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – featuring Gabriela Salvador Riera
38:00 Gabriela Salvador Riera Interview
40:30 LEARN: Music Culture of Central & South America
42:43 MUSIC: Acuarela by Adolfo Mejía
46:55 LEARN: Music Culture of America
49:12 MUSIC: It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) by Duke Ellington
52:17 MUSIC: America the Beautiful by Samuel A. Ward
56:31 The End
#PlayOnWNY
Choose and practice an instrument along with BPO musicians through the #PlayOnWNY series featuring 70+ videos.
#SingOnWNY
Learn the fundamentals of singing with the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus.
Symphony Hall Pass
Designed to be a flexible season concert pass for high school students to enjoy BPO performances at a discounted rate. Only $29 per student and free for Buffalo Public School students.
BPO Teaching Artists
Bring unique arts engagement into your classroom or virtual learning through the dynamism of the BPO’s professional musicians.
Music Education Resources
Access additional music education resources.
Education Sponsors
Education programs are made possible through generous annual donations and significant investment from the BPO.