Lake View High Mariachi Shares Stage with Juilliard Pianist

SAN ANGELO, TX — On Friday, October 27, 2023, Lake View High School's Mariachi Los Caciques will host a captivating and free concert at the Murphey Performance Hall, starting at 6:30 pm. This special event will provide an extraordinary opportunity for Mariachi Los Caciques to perform alongside the accomplished Juilliard-trained pianist, Dr. Christopher Schmitt.

Dr. Schmitt, renowned as a classical concert pianist, teacher, and chamber musician residing in Washington, D.C., boasts an impressive musical pedigree with a Doctorate in Piano Performance from The Juilliard School. He is a regular performer in small ensembles, often gracing prestigious venues like the White House and the DC metropolitan area.

In addition to his performance alongside LVHS Mariachi, Dr. Schmitt will generously dedicate two days to the San Angelo ISD students. This visit will include music seminars, concerts, and rehearsals. During his time at SAISD, students from Lake View High School (LVHS) and Central High School (CHS) specializing in fine arts will engage in a comprehensive music seminar. This seminar will encompass interactive question and answer sessions, personalized musical instruction, and invaluable guidance from the maestro himself.

San Angelo ISD takes immense pride in nurturing the aspirations and talents of its students, and this unique opportunity to collaborate with a globally acclaimed pianist exemplifies this commitment. This marks the second occasion that our fine arts students have had the privilege of meeting, learning from, and collaborating with Dr. Schmitt, as he first graced us with his presence in October 2021. San Angelo ISD extends its sincere gratitude to individuals like Mario Castillo, a San Angelo native and former schoolteacher turned Washington D.C. lobbyist, who ardently supports Texas children and the arts. Special recognition is also extended to Mariachi Rosendo Ramos, the Director, and Ezra Ramirez, the Assistant Director, for their instrumental partnership in elevating the hopes and dreams of our students.