2nd Annual NocheUnidos Concert to Feature First-Generation Immigrant as Lead Conductor

Sarasota, Fla. (March 31, 2023) – UnidosNow is honored to bring back to Sarasota for a one-night-only engagement, the “Rolling Stones” of mariachi music, Mariachi Cobre, fused with the 72-piece The Venice Symphony on April 28th at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. This year’s musicians will be led by acclaimed conductor, Ismael Sandoval, a first-generation Mexican immigrant who moved to the United States at the age of three. Sandoval currently serves as the assistant conductor of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera (CSO). 

“The mission of UnidosNow is to help students achieve their American dream,” says Cintia Elenstar, Executive Director of UnidosNow. “Ismael serves as the perfect representation of the event and UnidosNow as a whole – he’s an individual that has surpassed so many odds and expectations to become a nationally-recognized conductor who is now giving back to the growing Latinx and Hispanic population in the US. He’s a powerful role model for all of the immigrant students and families we serve in the region.”

Giving back to the community by bringing people together through the beauty of music is central to Sandoval’s rhythmically-driven ethos. Throughout his illustrious career, his passion for diversifying beyond the traditional canon and harmonizing with conductors from different walks of life has led him to many opportunities – now including this unique engagement to lead in Sarasota.

Performing alongside Sandoval is a magical fusion between a 52-year-old band known as Mariachi Cobre combined with the 72-piece The Venice Symphony.

Mariachi Cobre, known as the “Rolling Stones” of Mariachi music,  has been touring and introducing the world to mariachi music since the early 1970s. Discovered initially by Walt Disney, this award-winning group has performed with, among many others, the Boston Pops, Julio Iglesias, and Linda Ronstadt, as well as a vast number of symphonic orchestras throughout North America and Europe.

“We’re extremely excited about bringing together so many incredible collaborators for this event including UnidosNow, The Venice Symphony, and Mariachi Cobre,” says Ismael Sandoval. “It is bound to be a night full of incredible energy with an emphasis on building bridges with other cultures and traditions. We hope that this night will bring a lot of positivity and light to the community and to everyone in attendance!”

“We are thrilled to have Ismael conducting this year,” says UnidosNow Board Chair, Kelly Kirschner. “A first-generation immigrant himself, his conducting and fusing of Old and New World music is a powerful metaphor on how the fusion of seemingly disparate sounds can not only be harmonious, but it can also create something new and beautiful.” 

Presented by Gulf Coast Community Foundation and Czaia Law, NocheUnidos guarantees attendees a worldly evening of inspiring, creative, and captivating performances on a stage with over 80 professional musicians, including the globally recognized Mariachi Cobre group combined with the 72-piece The Venice Symphony.

All funds raised will benefit UnidosNow to further empower the growing number of Hispanic/Latinx community members in our region through education, integration, and civic engagement to achieve the American dream.

The experience begins at 7:30 pm on Friday, April 28 at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall (777 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236). Tickets for Noche Unidos are now available for purchase at www.vanwezel.org/boxoffice/noche-unidos-2023-presented-by-unidosnow/

For more information, visit www.unidosnow.org/nocheunidos-2023 or contact Julia Groom at julia@dreamlarge.org or by calling 941-786-8732.