Purpose and Mission
PURPOSE
The Houston Latin American Philharmonic Orchestra has been organized:
To execute activities for exclusively CHARITABLE and EDUCATIONAL purposes within the meaning of section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. These activities will include, but not be limited to, 1) A professional orchestra performing, commissioning, and recording Latin American music and delivering it to all segments of our society, especially to the Latin American community; 2) To advance knowledge about Latin American culture and its peoples throughout the community, including new generations of Latin Americans; and 3) To contribute to social cohesiveness through public concerts, lectures, young artist competitions and music workshops
Mission
The Houston Latin American Philharmonic is a professional orchestra created to educate our community on Latin American culture by presenting concerts, lectures, workshops, and master classes that promote and elevate Latin American music, musicians and composers.
Music Director
Glenn R. Garrido
• Was born in Maracaibo, Venezuela
• Received his BS in Industrial Engineering from University of Zulia (Venezuela) and BA in Music Performance from Simon Bolivar Conservatory (Venezuela); Master in Conducting from the University of New Hampshire (Durham, NH); and PhD in Music Education from the University of Florida (Gainesville, FL)
• In the year 2000, he became the first Venezuelan to receive the degree of PhD in Music Education with emphasis in conducting.
• In 1998 and 2000 he received the “Outstanding Academic Award” from the College of Fine Arts at the University of Florida.
• In 2011 and 2012, he was guest conductor of the “Orchestra di Fiati” in Milán, Italy, the National Youth Symphony Orchestra of Argentina in Buenos Aires, the Costa Rica Philharmonic, and the historic “Sinfónica de Sevilla.”
• Dr. Garrido is an active member of the National Association of Music Educators and the Texas Music Educators Association.
• From 2004 to 2009, he published articles on Latin American music and musicians in the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles Journal, The Georgia Music Educators Association, and “Mundo Hispánico” a newspaper in Atlanta, Georgia.
• He has been awarded prestigious scholarships by the University of Florida, University of New Hampshire, “Fullbright-Fundación Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho”, “Consejo Nacional de la Cultura (CONAC), and “Fundación de Estado para las Orquestas Juveniles e Infantiles de Venezuela (FEOJIV).”
• From 2008 to 2012, he was the Coordinator of Music Education at Berry College in Mt. Berry, Georgia.
• He is a fervent promoter and expositor of Latin American music and traditions. He travels around the world presenting programs like “Echoes of America” and “Made in Latin America”, in which he features music written by Latin American composers.
• From 2012 to 2016, Dr. Garrido was the Chairman of the Department of Music at the University of St Thomas. He became the first Latin American exercising this music leading position at UST.
*In January 2013, Dr. Glenn Garrido founded the Houston Latin American Philharmonic Orchestra, known as the Houston Latin Phil. This is a full-size professional orchestra based in Houston, TX.
Board of Directors (2022-2023)
OFFICERS
Maria French
President
Luisa Swanston
Treasurer-Secretary
Glenn Garrido, PhD
CEO-Music Director
DIRECTORS
Juan Caldentey
Rosiris Assef
Maru Olivar
Lorena Salas
Tim French
Jhakees Napolitano
Marisabel Rivera
Lovie Smith-Wright
ADVISORY BOARD
Rafael Struve
Leonardo Martinez
Gustavo Salas
Fatima Romero
INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL
José Cladera (Argentina)
Blas Emilio Atehortúa (Colombia)
Maria Clara Cullel (Costa Rica)
Giovanni Maza(Italy)
Julian Villarreal (Mexico)
Francisco Gutierrez (Spain)
Tim Renish (England)