San Antonio captures the spirit of Texas. Now the eighth largest city in the United States, the city has retained its sense of history and tradition while carefully blending in cosmopolitan progress. The city has always been a crossroads and a meeting place. Sounds and flavours of Native Americans, Old Mexico, Germans, the Wild West, African-Americans and the Deep South mingle and merge. Close to twenty million visitors a year delight in the discovery of San Antonio's charms.
The actual founding of the city came in 1718 by Father Antonio Olivares, when he established Mission San Antonio de Valero, which became permanently etched in the annals of history in 1836 as The Alamo, where 189 defenders held the old mission against some 4,000 Mexican troops for 13 days. The cry "Remember the Alamo" became the rallying point of the Texan revolution against Mexico. Located in the heart of downtown, today The Alamo is a shrine and museum.
The National Festival of the States concert series offers visiting performing ensembles rich musical experiences from performing in a well known venue such as San Fernando Cathedral or participating in a workshop with a faculty member at the University of Texas. Participating groups are chosen on the basis of recommendation from state and national music educators, governors' and senators' offices and by audition. Selected groups perform in prestigious venues with maximum audience potential.
Everyone should experience San Antonio, the Heart of Texas - and your band, orchestra, choir or dance troupe can, through the expertise of Music Celebrations International!
