Wind power
The Reno Philharmonic continues its MasterClassics season with a concert featuring guest flutist R. Carlos Nakai. Nakai was trained in classical trumpet and music theory, but he was drawn to the Native American cedar flute partly due to his Navajo and Ute heritage. His first album of solo flute music, Changes, was released in 1983. Since then, he has released more than 35 albums, six of which have been nominated for Grammy Awards. While Nakai says he’s influenced by his cultural heritage, he has also strived to push musical boundaries by collaborating with musicians with backgrounds as diverse as jazz and traditional Japanese music. In 1993, he collaborated with composer James De Mars, who wrote a piece for the flute and orchestra titled Two World Concerto. Nakai will perform this composition next week during two concerts by the Reno Philharmonic. The orchestra will also perform Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8. The shows start at 4 p.m. Oct. 9 and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, 100 S. Virginia St. Tickets start at $32. Call 323-6393.