NEWS RELEASE 

Relates to Western Pennsylvania, Allegheny County, Beaver County,

Music, Arts, Entertainment,  Latin American Culture

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:

Michele Rothert, Esteta Communications, 412.322.0281  mr@estetacommunications.com

Coro Latinoamericano Presents "Feliz Navidad, Pittsburgh" Holiday Concert

· 7 p.m.,Sat. Dec. 21, Frick Fine Arts Auditorium,
650 Schenley Drive, U of Pgh Campus, Oakland

· Master of Ceremonies to be Veteran News Broadcaster Alan Boal

· Program to feature Latin American holiday classics and rhythms

· Coro to present first "Corola Awards" to Outstanding Pittsburghers

· Concert free to public. More info: 412-661-1211

PITTSBURGH, PA (Dec. 11, 2002) – Coro Latinoamericano – Pittsburgh (Latin American Choir of Pittsburgh) will hold its holiday concert, themed Feliz Navidad, Pittsburgh, starting 

7 p.m., Sat, Dec. 21, 2002, Frick Fine Arts Auditorium, Oakland, Pittsburgh. Master of Ceremonies will be Alan Boal, veteran news broadcaster and media celebrity. The holiday concert will feature Latin American rhythms and songs in Spanish from various countries of North, Central, South America and the Caribbean.

During the concert, Coro Latinoamericano will pay tribute to "outstanding individuals who have contributed to the cultural enrichment and well-being of the Western Pennsylvania community." Coro Latinoameriano will present its first Corola Awards to three outstanding Pittsburghers:

· Alan Boal, a native of Freedom, PA, near Pittsburgh, whose grandparents were born in

Spain. Boal is a veteran news broadcaster and former member of KDKA, WTAE,

and WPXI news teams.

· Maria de Los Angeles, born in Mexico City, Mexico, distinguished educator on local

and international levels and a community leader who helped shape the development of the

of the Latin American Cultural Union, a social and family organization based in Pittsburgh.

· Joen Vasquez, born in Caracas, Venezuela, a graduate of the The Juilliard School and

acclaimed violist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, as well as an active supporter

of cultural events within Pittsburgh's Latin American community.

Leading Coro Latinoamericano in song will be Sharon Rotuna, Ambridge, Beaver County,

PA, artistic director and conductor, Coro Latinoamericano. Rotuna is also an assistant

conductor, Bach Choir of Pittsburgh; conductor, Westminster College Women’s Choir,

New Wilmington, PA; and music teacher, Aquinas Academy, Wildwood, PA.

Special musical guests will include Joen Vasquez playing the viola in duet with his sister

Gioconda Vasquez on the piano. Other guests will be announced at a later date.

The concert will be free to the public although donations are always appreciated. For

more information, groups or individuals may call Ernesto Contenti, 412-3775850, president,

or German Matos, vice president, Coro Lationamericano-Pittsburgh, 412-661-1211.

Coro Latinoamericano is distinctive multi-national Latin American choir –one of only a few choirs of its kind in the U.S. Coro is composed of about 25 Western Pennsylvanians who perform folk songs from North, Central, and South America and the Caribbean. Most of its members come from a variety of Latin American countries and retain their cultural and civic ties. Together, they join with U.S.- born members to promote a closer understanding of Latin American music and cultural heritage.

Coro Latinoamericano holds seasonal and holiday concerts in Pittsburgh and performs at a

wide range of events including ethnic festivals and educational forums.

Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Coro Latinoamericano (Latin American Choir) is a singing group of

about 20 men and women committed to “uniting the Americas” through a closer understanding

of Latin American music and culture. Members represent various countries of North, Central

and South America and the Caribbean. http://www.elcoro.org

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