Are you ready to take a trip to El Salvador? For about $25 or less? Well, come with me then. This Tuesday evening, Grand Junction gets a special cultural treat as German Caceres, conductor of the Orquesta de Camara San Salvador, conducts the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra.

The Grand Junction Symphony is a leading cultural and artistic voice in the community that has offered numerous heart-pounding, soul-stirring concerts in its 32 years. In addition, its educational programs throughout the valley reach more than 11,000 students and inspire many young musicians. 

The Young Artist Competition, sponsored by the GJSO and the GJSO Guild, provides students the opportunity to perform as soloists with the full orchestra. Cash prizes are awarded, and the winning artist is featured with the GJSO during the following season.

Well, guess what -- this Tuesday's concert will also spotlight Brandon Lee, winner of the 2009 Young Artist Competition. He will be performing Tchaikovsky's Piano Conerto No.1 in B-flat minor. This just happens to be the piece he excited audiences with to win the Young Artist Competition.

Guest conductor Caceres is in high demand as a guest conductor and lecturer, and his musical compositions have been performed all over the world. The United States is familiar to him however, as he attended The Julliard School in New York City and the University of Cincinnati.

Caceres is visiting Grand Junction as part of a musical enrichment exchange. The GJSO music director and conductor of the GJSO for more than 20 years, Maestro Kirk Gustafson visited El Salvador in July of 2008 to conduct the Orquesta de Camara San Salvador. Now it's our turn, and we get to sit back and enjoy an evening of Latin American flair and Old World classicism as German Caceres conducts our orchestra.

The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Grand Junction High School Auditorium. (I know the venue doesn't sound great, but it's actually quite nice!) You can get tickets at the door starting at $25. 

So, if you're a lover of music, this is one concert you don't want to miss. I can't wait!