Latest news with #WSO
Miami Herald
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Latin American trio joins WSO quartet for concert
A Wichita Symphony Orchestra-sponsored concert this week could serve as an introduction to a type of music that may be new to even the most seasoned ear. The Alejandro Brittes Quartet will join with a WSO string quartet to present Chamamé, which mixes Argentinian and Brazilian folk rhythms with classical music. In an email interview, Brittes talked about the music and the concert. Q: What drew you to Chamamé, both as a listener and a performer? A: I was born into a Chamamé cradle, immersed in an environment where music was always the soul of our home, especially Chamamé. From an early age, my parents took me to dances, even as a baby, in the Moses basket. I would stay there, listening intently to the chords that filled the air while they danced, immersed in that sound, which became the soundtrack of my life. Chamamé was my lullaby. It was love at first sight, a deep and immediate connection with this music. My earliest memories are of a huge accordion in front of me while the musicians, who passed through my house – my father, who was a manager of musicians coming from the countryside of Argentina to Buenos Aires, always hosted them – played and rehearsed nearby. I was surrounded by musicians from the moment I can remember. And from the very beginning, I knew I wanted to be a musician, too. I remember picking up vinyl album covers and pretending to play an accordion, feeling like part of that magic. With my toy brass guitar, I would accompany, in my imagination, the musicians' rehearsals. This deep love for music and for Chamamé is what has guided me to this day. At 12, my artistic godfather, Fito Ledesma, gifted me an accordion. With it, I began my musical journey, doing what I love most: celebrating Chamamé. Q: What are its characteristics, compared to other genres of music? A: This is a topic I love to talk about, especially the elements that gave rise to this genre that I now have the opportunity to share in the United States. Chamamé is a genre of music that connects and transcends. It represents the positive encounter of two cultures: the musicality and cosmogony of the Guarani indigenous people and the Baroque music taught in the Jesuit reductions by the priests. We can say that Chamamé is a Latin American reinvention, with a trajectory of 400 years of formation, being a genre that is built through collective memory and oral tradition. The rhythm, with its 35 million admirers in southern Brazil, the Argentine coast, Paraguay, northern Uruguay, and part of Bolivia, is an integral part of the identity and life of the people from where I come. Chamamé has some beautiful peculiarities in its formation that I would like to share. The Guaranis are deeply musical. When a child is born, they perform rituals in an anti-clockwise direction so that their gods and the universe send a melody, which will be the name that the child will carry throughout their life. In other words, music comes before everything, and only then do they give the child an earthly name. In the aspect of the connection between the universe and the earth, the Guaranis sing in high tones to connect with the universe and dance by stamping their feet on the ground, using percussion instruments to communicate with Mother Earth. … Chamamé, I believe, is the result of a process of collective election, fueled by collective memory and ancestral elements, which for some reason, makes sense for life, in all its forms. Chamamé is, therefore, one of the few genres — of course, others may serve the same purpose — but it is a music through which we can still connect with the universe and transcend, without losing its historical relevance and position in the music market. Q: What can we look for in your concert with the WSO string quartet? A: First of all, for me, André and Carlos, it is an honor to collaborate with the Wichita Symphony. In fact, we are very excited about this moment. I believe that this meeting will be an incredible experience in which we will explore together the repertoire of '(L)ESTE,' an original album of ours, with adaptations of arrangements and also creation of new arrangements by harpsichordist Fernando Cordella, who is one of the great names of Latin American Baroque, and we have been performing this beautiful concert in Brazil with an ensemble composed of harpsichord, violins, double bass, viola da gamba, cello, oboe, accordion, seven-string guitar and percussion. What we can expect from this concert is a vibrant connection, where all of us and the Wichita Symphony quartet will do our best so that the audience can experience a little of the beauty of Chamamé and transcend with us. We are very excited about what is to come! Q: Is it a contrast to have Chamamé music with a string quartet or is it a natural marriage of styles? A: Certainly, it is a natural marriage! I'd like to tell you that the first chamamés were recorded with orchestras. Only later, with the great European immigration of the 19th century and the arrival of the accordion, did Chamamé begin to be played and recorded with guitar, accordion, bass and double bass. This naturalness also relates to the historical aspect: In the Jesuit missions, the Guaranis formed orchestras and toured Europe. They were, by the way, excellent musicians, composers and luthiers of Baroque instruments. We had a great battle here that led to the destruction of the missions, but what was learned remained with the survivors, who applied all the knowledge they had gained and kept small orchestras in the villages, towns and communities. Of course, it was difficult to transport an orchestra from one settlement to another, and with the arrival of the accordion and its versatility, the genre began to take on its current form. But I dare say that Chamamé is returning to its origins, being played with classical instruments, while still preserving the popular essence and the instruments that are part of the genre's current identity. Q: What are your projects in the next few months? A: We have some projects in sight. Soon, upon arriving in Brazil, I will have several shows with the renowned accordionist Raúl Barboza, who, in my opinion, is the most important Chamamé accordionist, and part of the genre's old guard. Also, in August, we will hold the second edition of the Noite Chamamé Festival in the city of Erechim, in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. In September, we will have three concerts with the Orquestra Sinfônica de Campo Grande. After that, I will have several concerts with the trio, and we plan to take the '(L)ESTE' concert to Argentina in October and November. At the beginning of next year, we will return to the United States for a small tour. If you go Wichita Symphony Orchestra with Alejandro Brittes Trio When: 7:30 p.m. Monday, July 14 Where: Somewhere Works, 235 N. Emporia Tickets: $29 for general admission, from 316-267-7658 or the WSO box office at Century II
Scoop
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Marlborough Votes To Establish Separate Water Organisation
The Marlborough District Council has voted to establish a separate organisation to deliver water services in the region. The decision to form a Water Services Organisation (WSO) was passed by eight votes to five at an extraordinary council meeting on Monday. The government's Local Water Done Well policy required councils to come up with a financially sustainable water service delivery plan by 3 September. Mayor Nadine Taylor said it was an incredibly important decision for the region. "We have decided to take a once-in-a-generation opportunity to do things differently. To build better three waters infrastructure and provide greater intergenerational equity, spreading the costs over the long term," Taylor said. "By setting up a new, water-focused organisation, it will be easier to sustainably deliver efficiencies and savings for residents on council's drinking and wastewater supplies." During consultation with the Marlborough community, a slim majority of the roughly 45 submissions wanted a water delivery unit to stay within the council. And some councillors agreed. Defeated councillors Brian Dawson, Deborah Dalliessi, Allanah Burgess and Sally Arbuckle all said there was not enough information to convince them that a separate water services organisation could deliver services better than the council's in-house unit. The Marlborough District Council was in the minority for its preference of a standalone organisation, although not all councils had voted on it yet. Of New Zealand's 65 territorial authorities, only three have preferred a standalone WSO - Selwyn, Queenstown Lakes, and Marlborough. Nearly 68 percent, or 44 councils, preferred a multi-council organisation, joining up with neighbouring districts to deliver water services. The remaining 18 preferred to keep water services in-house. A WSO joining Tasman and Nelson services was briefly floated, but was shelved after Nelson mayor Nick Smith ruled out collaboration on water without a full Nelson-Tasman council amalgamation. Nelson and Tasman both eventually voted to keep their water services in-house, leaving Marlborough without a neighbour to join with. Taylor said having a separate organisation focused solely on Marlborough's water would keep the service in the hands of the experts who knew it best. "The new WSO will have a singular focus on the delivery of water infrastructure and be better positioned to attract the specialist staff we will need in the future," Taylor said. Removing water assets from the council books would free up resources to focus on other services, while allowing the new WSO to borrow against those assets at a lower cost than the council could. "Costs will be spread over a longer period of time through borrowing, leading to lower water charges when compared to retaining water services internally at council," she said. The organisation would be council-owned, the board of directors would be council-appointed, and its direction would be set with a legally binding Statement of Expectations. The governance setup would keep the organisation accountable to Marlburians, the council said. The council said any profit made from the WSO would be reinvested back into the water network. By 2034, Marlborough would need $410m of investment in water infrastructure. Nearly all the townships required upgrades to pipelines, pump stations and wells. "Many of Picton's and Blenheim's stormwater assets have an expected life of less than 10 years," Taylor said. "In addition we have requests from the community to provide new water reticulation services, for example in Ward, Rarangi and Dry Hills in Blenheim." The new organisation would be established on 1 July 2026, and become fully operable by 1 July 2027.
Scoop
07-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Council Votes To Establish New Water Services Organisation
Marlborough District Councillors today approved the establishment of a new water services organisation (WSO) to deliver drinking, wastewater and stormwater services to the people of Marlborough. The decision continues the Local Water Done Well process, as mandated by the current Government. Mayor Nadine Taylor said it was a very important decision for the region. 'We have decided to take a once-in-a-generation opportunity to do things differently to build better three waters infrastructure and provide greater intergenerational equity, spreading the costs over the long term.' 'The Government requires councils to financially ringfence their water services and by setting up a new, water-focussed organisation it will be easier to sustainably deliver efficiencies and savings for residents on Council's drinking and wastewater supplies.' 'Costs will be spread over a longer period of time through borrowing, leading to lower water charges when compared to retaining water services internally at Council.' 'Other notable benefits are the new WSO will have a singular focus on the delivery of water infrastructure and be better positioned to attract the specialist staff we will need in the future.' 'By removing three waters debt from Council's books, we will have an improved ability to deliver other key Council activities to support the Marlborough community, including responding to and funding unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters.' Mayor Taylor noted that almost all of Marlborough's townships need upgrades to pipelines, pump stations and wells, with treatment plant upgrades required in Blenheim, Havelock, Riverlands and Awatere. 'Blenheim, Havelock, Riverlands, Seddon and Renwick also need wastewater upgrades. Many of Picton's and Blenheim's stormwater assets have an expected life of less than 10 years. In addition we have requests from the community to provide new water reticulation services - for example in Ward, Rarangi and Dry Hills in Blenheim.' 'While Council has done a good job of building and maintaining its current three waters infrastructure, a big step change is required if we are to face head-on the challenges of the future,' she said. 'This step change is best delivered through a new water services organisation.' Council received 44 submissions on its Local Water Done Well proposal. The WSO would be incorporated from 1 July 2026 with a one year transition to full operations from 1 July 2027. Marlborough District Council will be its sole shareholder, appoint its board of directors and set its direction via a binding Statement of Expectations, holding it accountable to the people of Marlborough. Council will also establish a water services governance and oversight committee made up of the mayor, the three committee chairs and chief executive. Notes The Government's Local Water Done Well process requires all councils to develop a Water Services Delivery Plan (WSDP) by 3 September 2025 which describes how drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services will be delivered in ways that are financially sustainable, meet regulatory quality standards, meet water quality standards and support housing growth and urban development. Other considerations include: • New ring-fencing rules that require water delivery services to be financially separate from Council's other functions and activities. • Water services being subject to new economic regulation and a consumer protection regime. • Access to the Local Government Funding Agency to help fund the needed investment in water infrastructure. By 2034, $410 million of investment is needed in Marlborough's water infrastructure. The renewal list for pipelines, pump stations, treatment plants and dams is considerable. About $45 million of water assets, $20 million of wastewater assets and $45 million of stormwater assets are due for replacement within the next nine years. The renewal profile will likely increase as assets built in the 1950s and 60s, including much of Blenheim and Picton's stormwater network, requires replacement over the next 40 years.
CTV News
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Windsor Symphony Orchestra offering free summer concert series once again
The Windsor Symphony Orchestra (WSO) is once again offering a free summer concert series. You are encouraged to bring your own lawn chairs, blankets, or picnic baskets to enjoy the sweet sounds of the WSO. Here's where you can catch the group:
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Here's Why Qualivian Investment Partner Added Watsco (WSO) to Its Portfolio
Qualivian Investment Partners, an investment partnership focused on long-only public equities, released its Q1 2025 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The fund outperformed the iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) by 66.0% and 59.4% on a gross and net basis, since inception through March 31, 2025. It also exceeded the S&P 500 by 32.7% and 26.1% respectively, on a gross and net basis. In Q1 2025, the fund outperformed QUAL by 5.3% and 5.2% on a gross and net basis, and we outperformed the S&P 500 by 5.2% and 5.1% on a gross and net basis. In addition, please check the fund's top five holdings to know its best picks in 2025. In its first-quarter 2025 investor letter, Qualivian Investment Partners highlighted stocks such as Watsco, Inc. (NYSE:WSO). Watsco, Inc. (NYSE:WSO) engages in the distribution of air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration equipment, and related parts and supplies. The one-month return of Watsco, Inc. (NYSE:WSO) was 1.81%, and its shares lost 4.40% of their value over the last 52 weeks. On June 30, 2025, Watsco, Inc. (NYSE:WSO) stock closed at $441.62 per share, with a market capitalization of $17.868 billion. Qualivian Investment Partners stated the following regarding Watsco, Inc. (NYSE:WSO) in its Q1 2025 investor letter: "Watsco, Inc. (NYSE:WSO) is the largest HVAC2 distributor and continues to get larger via a superior technology stack and accretive consolidation. They are founder-led and laser-focused on long term value creation. They are fond of reminding investors that 'We focus on the next quarter century, not the next quarter.' A commercial air conditioning unit mounted atop a residential roof in a suburban neighbourhood. Watsco, Inc. (NYSE:WSO) is not on our list of 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 35 hedge fund portfolios held Watsco, Inc. (NYSE:WSO) at the end of the first quarter, which was 33 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of Watsco, Inc. (NYSE:WSO) as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is as promising as NVIDIA but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the undervalued AI stock set for massive gains. In addition, please check out our hedge fund investor letters Q1 2025 page for more investor letters from hedge funds and other leading investors. While we acknowledge the potential of WSO as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: The Best and Worst Dow Stocks for the Next 12 Months and 10 Unstoppable Stocks That Could Double Your Money. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
