For Immediate Release

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Jose Luis Hernandez to perform with National Youth Symphony Orchestra in Mexico city. TCU pianist to perform with National Youth Symphony Orchestra in Mexico city. Mexico City, Mexico--August 29, 2003--Nineteen year old pianist, Jose Luis Hernandez, will make his Mexico city debut appearing as soloist with the National Youth Symphony Orchestra of Mexico under the baton of Maestro Mario Rodriguez, with performances of the Manuel M. Ponce concerto for piano and orchestra in f-sharp minor. Jose Luis Hernandez, a Lili Kraus scholar and piano performance student of Dr. Tamas Ungar, will perform at the National Center for the Arts (CENART) and the famed Silvestre Revueltas Hall of the National Conservatory of Music (CNM) on September 20th and 21st of this year. Jose Luis Hernandez, an avid advocate of the music of Ponce said in a phone interview, To me, it is a great honor to be able to share the music of Manuel M. Ponce. The piano concerto is a profound and imaginative piece of music. It has the ability to stir strong emotions and create an atmosphere of intimacy between listener and performer. I hope that audiences in Mexico city will encounter something very special in the music of Manuel M. Ponce. I am looking forward to play for them. According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Mr. Hernandez-Estrada is a potential star. Throughout his rising career, he has been invited to perform at music festivals in Mexico, the United States, and Germany. At the age of ten, he made his professional debut performing the Haydn piano concerto with the Symphony Orchestra of the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. During the summer of 1997, he collaborated with the Jungen Further Streichholzer in Germany. In the year 2000, Mr. Hernandez-Estrada was the winner of the 14th TCU/Cliburn Piano Institute concerto competition. As a result, he appeared as soloist with the Fort Worth Chamber Orchestra conducted by the acclaimed pianist and conductor Ian Hobson. In addition, he has been featured in numerous radio and television broadcasts including live performances and interviews on KMFA Classical, Univision, Radio Universidad, and Televisa. The concerts in Mexico city are part of a four month concert series sponsored by the Mexican Ministry for Arts and Culture (CONACULTA).