Gather your family and friends for McAllen Wind Ensemble’s (MWE) next concert, Noche Mágica on Friday, December 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the McAllen Performing Arts Center. Audiences can expect an evening of captivating melodies and festive arrangements that celebrate the rich cultural tapestry of the holiday season. A special vocal performance from Alberto Esco will complement the musical Christmas ambiance.

Every year the ensemble decides on a theme and then has a committee that votes on the music to be played. This year, the group decided to do the same theme as the City of McAllen’s Parade, Noche Mágica. Music Director Roger Olivarez said he believes there is a magic to the season and to the music. He hopes everyone can find that magic and connection to Christmas.

“It takes them back to simpler times, maybe,” said Olivarez. “Back to happier times. Back to their childhood. Back to pleasant memories.”

“There’s already a certain amount of magic in there,” he said of Christmas music.

As a band director, preparing for a Christmas concert was something I always looked forward to, he said. It was a tradition every year, one he has always cherished.

He has been directing MWE since 2014 and the Christmas concert has always been his favorite to prepare for.

Olivarez’s wife passed away last year, and Christmas was her favorite holiday and very special to her – so it has inspired him to make sure the concert is special for others.

He could always find her in the crowd. He remembers her smile and her clapping at the end of each number. He hopes the music will do that to others that are there for the performance.

There is nothing quite like reaching the end of a performance and seeing and feeling the energy of the audience. That keeps us going, he said. That is the energy we need to feed off to keep doing what we are doing.

Christmas concerts are challenging, he noted. They have a little more time to prepare for their other concerts, but only have four rehearsals for their Christmas concert. We try not to choose easy music, we want something challenging, and we try to do something new each year.

“We always manage to rise to the occasion,” he said. It shows the dedication our players have to the music and the performance.

Olivarez said he hopes that more of the community take advantage of the concerts being free. All through time, the arts have been an important part of history and culture. He anticipates playing to a full house and for families to share with each other their experience and encourage others to go to the concerts.

Board President Roy Contreras said that Christmas concerts mean getting your family together, celebrating with your family, and celebrating the birth of Christ – which is the reason for the season.

“We get together as a band, but we get together as a family and because we love doing this for the community,” said Contreras. “We love to do this. We do the best we can to make a beautiful product for the public.”

Contreras, saying he grew up in the 50s and 60s, that Christmas brings back the memories of black and white TV, Frank Sinatra, and other singers of the time, and enjoying being together with family. We always came together for the holiday, and it was enjoying that time and making it a celebration of Him. Christmas music and concerts bring that togetherness.

They try to get the best quality music so the public can enjoy something they might never have heard of before, he said about this year’s Christmas concert. Most of the music this year is new. The musicians must be dedicated to learning the music and performing at their best. Some of them are amateur musicians, and some are professionals still working in the music industry.

“We need people to experience something,” he said about his hopes of their concerts. The music fills the whole auditorium. You can hear the piccolo, the trombone, and all the other instruments.

“We’ve been blessed,” he said about being able to spread the music to the public and giving them the opportunity to come and enjoy the concerts.
Concert admission is free, but an electronic ticket is required. Tickets can be reserved on the Ensemble’s website at www.mcallenwindensemble.org, with assistance available at the door if needed. The McAllen Performing Arts Center is located at 801 Convention Center Blvd.

The McAllen Wind Ensemble is thrilled to continue its 2024-2025 concert season, offering free admission to the public. The Ensemble invites everyone to create new musical memories this year with McAllen’s musical ambassadors.

The McAllen Wind Ensemble consists of approximately 75 musicians from diverse backgrounds who volunteer their time to rehearse weekly and perform. Under the direction of Music Director Roger Olivarez, the 2024-2025 season will feature four concerts, each bringing a unique theme and repertoire to the community. The remaining concerts are Tuesday, February 18 and Saturday, April 5, both at 7:30 p.m.

Learn more at www.mcallenwindensemble.org and follow on Facebook and Instagram.