Colombia celebrates its musical wealth and diversity with “Celebrate Music Day,” which will feature 944 concerts on Sunday.
Over 25,000 children and youths will perform in the concerts to take place in 680 municipalities across the country.
“In Colombia there are many, varied musical manifestations as a result not only of the statewide effort, but also educational and community practices of private initiatives, constantly sprouting in every corner of the country … with the goal of recognizing them and exalting them, we have designed this great celebration,” said Minister of Culture Mariana Garces Cordoba.
From small towns to big cities, in parks, public libraries, and theaters, participating musical artists will be performing in symphonies, choruses, jazz bands, choirs, and every sort of musical ensemble imaginable on Sunday, November 20.
Arts Director for the Ministry of Culture, Guiomar Acevedo, explained that the event is the ideal opportunity for trained musicians to show their communities their achievements and the quality of work they do every day.
“We invited music schools and the educational community to participate in the concert performances across the country. We expect a great social movement. This initiative will become the setting for the visibility and flow of talent from different regions and educational efforts and initiatives invaluable to the country,” Acevedo said.
In Bogota, hundreds of young people between the ages of 14 and 18 will be debuting in the National Youth of Colombia Symphonic Band at 11AM at the Leon de Greif Auditorium.
Under the baton of renowned Belgian director Alain Crepin, the youths come from 17 different departments, selected by a group of national-level, senior players.
In Cali, more than 500 children and young people between the ages of five and 18 will be playing one of the greatest musicals in the area, “Asi se va a las alturas” (This is going to the heights), with the Youth of Valle del Cauca Symphony Orchestra.
Along the Atlantic Coast, more than 500 musicians, from 19 of 22 municipalities in the department of Atlantico, will be participating in the festive music celebration.
This year Celebrate Music Day also coincides with the “Yamaha International Seminar Caribbean Winds 2011,” which will be holding workshops, conferences, and concerts in Barranquilla from November 18 through 20.
In the main square of the National Coffee Park in Montenegro, Quindio there will be 27 choirs from the Coffee Region playing all day.
For more information about other concerts that will be held throughout Colombia consult the Ministry of Culture website.