Sunday, July 6, 2008

Allegretto goes Country Western in San Antonio


Microsoft and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Learning Technology recently celebrated the launch of their new "Learning Village" by hosting a Texas style reception at Boudro's "The Vault".  The Vault is located at the corner of Commerce and Presa streets in an impressive space that used to be the lobby of the historic Alamo National Bank.  This venue has a long marble bar that was once the bank teller station, as well as three of the original bank vaults.

Attendees at this reception were visiting San Antonio for the National Educational Computing Conference, and most had never been to Texas.  For entertainment, the company wanted a Texas-themed ensemble that could play real down-home Texas country music.  With the backdrop of a saloon-looking red-draped stage, Allegretto Music (www.allegrettomusic.com)  provided a trio of guitar, acoustic bass and fiddle.  It felt great to represent our city and the music of Texas at this event.

"It felt like being on a John Wayne movie set" says Jose, playing fiddle that night.  "The bank vaults were open, and the bartenders were serving drinks through the teller stations.  People had a blast."  Peter Carey entertained guests playing guitar and singing favorite country tunes like Amarillo By Morning, I Fall To Pieces and many more.  Greg Norris on the big acoustic bass provided the foundation, while Jose Irizarry playing fiddle gave the music just the right Texas twang.