Meet the Artist: Pacho Flores
UMS is delighted to host México’s Orquesta Sinfónica de Minería for their return to Hill Auditorium on January 21, along with Venezuelan trumpet virtuoso Pacho Flores for his UMS debut. Together, they will perform Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto in E-flat Major and Paquito D’Rivera’s Latin Grammy-winning Venezuelan Concerto. The program will also feature major composers Silvestre Revueltas, Alberto Ginastera, and Arturo Márquez.
Recognized internationally as one of the most exciting brass soloists of his generation, Flores seamlessly connects the worlds of classical tradition, contemporary music, and Latin-American influence. Flores first rose to global prominence with an incredible series of competition wins, including First Prize at the Maurice André International Trumpet Competition — regarded as the most prestigious trumpet competition in the world — as well as First Prizes at the Philip Jones and Città di Porcia competitions.
Photo by Juan Martinez
Trained in Venezuela’s acclaimed El Sistema (Orchestra System for Youth and Children), Flores has been widely celebrated for his performances, recitals, and recordings as a soloist. He is confident in both classical and popular styles, bringing vibrant energy to every interpretation.
As a soloist, Flores has appeared with many of the world’s leading orchestras — including the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra, NHK Symphony Orchestra, Arctic Philharmonic Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra of Tokyo, and Düsseldorf Symphony Orchestra — and has graced famed venues such as Carnegie Hall, Salle Pleyel in Paris, and Opera City in Tokyo.
Flores has a stunning recording career as a Deutsche Grammophon recording artist. Most notable of his career is his album Cantos y Revueltas. Hear Flores perform the title composition, which he also composed, with the Real Filharmonía de Galicia:
Flores’s impressive range also extends into writing and performing his own transcriptions. In March 2024, he joined the Minnesota Orchestra for a Latin-American program, performing his own transcription of a showpiece originally for violin — Pablo de Sarasate’s Zigeunerweisen.
In addition to his solo work, Flores is a founding member of the Simón Bolívar Brass Quintet, bringing his alluring musicianship to brass chamber music worldwide. He has also served as principal trumpet in top orchestras such as the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra and the Saito Kinen Orchestra, working with iconic conductors including Claudio Abbado, Sir Simon Rattle, Seiji Ozawa, and Gustavo Dudamel.
Flores is also a dedicated educator, serving as the founding director of the Latin-American Trumpet Academy in Venezuela, where he mentors young players and champions contemporary repertoire through premieres and commissioned works.
UMS patrons will get an exclusive opportunity to witness his flexible virtuosity from Haydn to D’Rivera right in Hill Auditorium. Witness this magical experience on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 7:30 pm for an enthralling program.
