The closing concert by the La Serena University Symphony Orchestra paid tribute to Gustavo Becerra-Schmidt and Alejandro Guarello.

Forceful and masterful was the development of the MUSICAHORA Festival in La Serena. A regional event that celebrated its fifteen years of existence and the rescue of contemporary music with a week full of attractive activities, from talks and colloquiums to concerts in chamber and symphonic formats; the latter, acclaimed by the community itself, local and guest musicians, and specialized critics.

The closing was marked by a bold program by the La Serena University Symphony Orchestra and the impeccable mastery of two guest virtuoso Chilean musicians. Helmuth Reichel Silva, praised for his deep musicality and inspiring temperament, and who is positioned as one of the most interesting and versatile young teachers in South America.

The musician made his mark evident in the musical evening he offered in the regional capital, after 4 years of absence. “I feel very privileged to have worked with a great orchestra such as the La Serena University Symphony. They have a great musical idea, a great repertoire was presented and it was a pleasure to spend a week with them, doing a special program such as contemporary music, with Chilean composers, and something that is also very important, repertoire that has to be done regularly and “It was a great pleasure to bring it to the public,” he said.

For the concertmaster of the National Symphony Orchestra of Chile, Alberto Dourthé Castrillón, another of the prominent guest artists, his experience in northern lands was very positive; even more so, after meeting again and sharing the stage with several friends, colleagues and former students, such as the conductor of this closing concert: “I am very happy to have played with Helmuth, because he is a fantastic conductor and I was lucky enough to have him would direct. Furthermore, music itself has an intrinsic difficulty and this allowed me to play with great joy. As I always say, for me the important thing is to deliver a lot of affection and a lot of love in each note.”

Dourthé added that “it was a great honor to have played with this wonderful orchestra, credited with an incredible level and that must be highlighted. Likewise, there is a gigantic effort on the part of the orchestra, the festival organizers and the community, of this reality of making contemporary music that, many times, is not so appreciated."

Night of tributes

The MUSICAHORA Festival has a long journey of harvests and fruits that have allowed it to achieve fifteen years of success and musical rescue. In this framework, the 2018 version fascinated with sounds of great character, such as 'Happy Bird's Day' (2017) by Chilean Alejandro Guarello, who was recognized for being one of the promoters of this festival in La Serena: “it was quite significant participate in this version, I understand that my works, in these 15 years of festival, had not been done. And the paradoxical thing is, just as the artistic director said on stage, I helped this festival exist, because after founding the one in Santiago, the idea of ​​repeating it here in La Serena was born," said the musician, adding that "presenting this work with an orchestra It is a fantastic initiative, so it is a great honor and a great pleasure to return to La Serena in a circumstance like this.”

Another of the great honorees was Gustavo Becerra-Schmidt (1925-2010), whose 'Chamber Concerto' (1970) and 'Violin Concerto' (1952) were performed. According to the Artistic Director of the MUSICAHORA Festival, Esteban Correa, maestro Becerra “was a fundamental composer in the history of written tradition music in Chile, he was very prolific and very eclectic, who developed important work both here and in the foreigner (…) So for us it is very significant and it was appropriate to pay tribute to his figure.”

For Lincoln Torres Faundes, who was present at the IX Season Concert of the symphonic ensemble, “contemporary music has this thing that is not always understood; However, I have a little training in music and know something. As for the repertoire and this whole intention of making images and sensations known through music, like the birds in the first piece, it was very well done, just as Gustavo Becerra's last work was extraordinary. And the work of the orchestra, as always, is very professional and these instances are greatly appreciated.”

These days, the group belonging to the Network of Regional Professional Orchestras of the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage is preparing a new musical evening, which this time will have Christmas as the occasion. Those who wish to be part of this unmissable and traditional annual concert with free admission, the community of the conurbation and surrounding areas is invited to attend next Thursday, December 13, at 20:00 p.m., at the Cathedral of La Serena, where The “Christmas of Cultures” concert will take place.

It should be noted that the realization of this 2018 Season, called 'The Symphony of Cultures', has the support and financing of the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage, through the National Budget Glosa since 2016; in addition to the collaboration of the University of La Serena and the Illustrious Municipality of La Serena, through its Department of Culture and the Municipal Theater.

Source: Press Symphony Orchestra University of La Serena

The exhibition, which closes the DIVEULS Exhibition Cycle, will remain open to the community until December 6.

A tour of the progress of an emerging painter such as Nelson Villegas, can be found these days in the Exhibition Hall of the University of La Serena, in the exhibition titled “Awakening to Art.” Painting works in different techniques and sizes accompany the walls of this room that houses exhibitions by various authors nationwide throughout the year.

For Nelson Villegas, this is an excellent opportunity not only to show his works, but also to express his opinion and contribute to the awakening of collective consciousness. “It has been something very special, something that has gone too fast, to achieve all these paintings (...) In reality, what happened to me is something very special, I felt something that I had to do and I started painting everything that is animals of the sea such as cetaceans, which today are in danger of extinction, due to the human being that is killing them (...) and I thought, I have to do something, I have to help and how can I do it. And what better than to paint them and for people to see them, to notice that they are beautiful.”

In this regard, Fernando Tapia, in charge of Culture of the Directorate of Links with the Environment and Extension, commented that “Nelson Villegas, a debut artist, who for a year has worked hard to be able to prepare this exhibition, works that are more of personal introspection. , a path of own research regarding the painting technique and also what is happening in the world currently, which makes it a quite interesting exhibition, so I invite you to visit it.”

The exhibition takes place in the Exhibition Hall located at Benavente 950, La Serena, and concludes the 2018 DIVEULS Exhibition Cycle. It will be available until December 6, from 10:00 a.m. to 13:00 p.m. and from 14:30 p.m. to 18:15 p.m., Monday to Thursday, and on Fridays from 14:00 p.m. to 17:00 p.m.

Source: DIVEULS press

Like every year, DIVEULS awards scholarships to students of the institution who apply for the benefit of taking the course for free.

There are different approaches to Japanese culture that the Directorate of Liaison with the Environment and Extension of the University of La Serena carries out year after year, including those activities that are concentrated in the month of January and that are part of the Japan Weekend. On this occasion, it was the turn to complete a stage of studies carried out during 2018, such as the “Basic Japanese I and Basic Japanese II” courses.

Both activities were organized by the Directorate of Environmental Liaison and Extension and carried out by the volunteer of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Ritsuko Kohara.

In the certification, 7 students from the first year and 4 students from the second year received their certificates, thus completing a constant delivery of knowledge and approaches to Japanese culture through classes with their teacher twice a week.

During the ceremony, the Director of Liaison with the Environment and Extension, Dr. Catalina Cvitanic, and the language teacher, Ritsuko Kohara, congratulated the participants and delivered words of thanks.

“For DIVEULS it is always a pleasure to carry out workshops and activities because they are processes that our Management executes with great dedication and, naturally, a successful end makes us all happy. "I congratulate you," said Dr. Catalina Cvitanic, also highlighting that "in the case of the students from the University of La Serena who received scholarships, it is a double pleasure because we know that with this we are contributing to your future tomorrow." have an open door, perhaps to continue their studies in Japan, as many declared in the small survey at the beginning of this course (…) Thank you all very much, congratulations, and thanks to JICA.”

Meanwhile, Ritsuko Kohara commented: “I hope that this achievement is the first to continue knowing the Japanese language and culture. Congratulations and much success.” In addition, she highlighted the participation of former student Juan Gómez as a course assistant.

As on other occasions, the Japanese language courses I and II fulfilled their objective of providing knowledge about the vocabulary, grammar and reading of the Japanese language, also managing to develop in the student the ability to form small basic conversations in this language. This activity is carried out thanks to a collaboration process between the University of La Serena and JICA, where Professor Ritsuko Kohara is a volunteer.

The students

For the students, this instance of connection has become an opportunity for those people who, for different reasons, seek to get closer to this ancient culture.

“I love languages, in fact I have already studied English, and when I heard on University Radio that the Basic Japanese course was being promoted and that through Linking with the Environment the possibility was given to people who were outside the University to participate, I said yes. This is a possibility, the pleasure of knowing another world, another way of seeing life,” said student Carmen San Martín.

For his part, Andrés Ramírez, a student of the course and a third year student, stated that “I have always had an interest in Japan in general and in Asian culture, so I saw this course as an opportunity that fell from the sky because I wanted to study Japanese and I didn’t have time at school, so I was able to do it after school.”  

Japanese Language Speech Contest - Chile 2018

It should be noted that during November the Japanese Language Speech Contest - Chile 2018 was held, where two former students from the 2017 and 2018 Japanese courses won second and third place in the competition. They are Antonio López and Francisco Salinas, which constitutes another source of pride for her teacher Ritsuko Kohara and for the Directorate of Liaison with the Environment and ULS Extension.

Source: DIVEULS press

The activity carried out at the University of La Serena included the premiere of the play “Empezar de Cero” by the ÉTÉULS theater cast.

The result of the First National Meeting of Pedagogical Theater led by the State Universities of Chile, which was held at the University of La Serena, was described as a great success. More than 200 education professionals and students gathered in the Aula Magna of the state school of the Coquimbo Region, with the purpose of acquiring pedagogical tools to implement in the classroom, incorporating theater into their pedagogical practices and trying modify the paradigms of static education in the classroom.

For Hernán León, member of the board of directors of the Network of Arts, Cultures and Heritage, “the opportunity to develop this National Meeting of Pedagogical Theater, here in an institution as relevant for the development of the Coquimbo Region as the University of La Serena , can only give meaning to the rescue of heritage work and to value the constant practices that this ancient art offers us throughout the country, integrating the characteristics of each area and complementing the educational contents both in basic education , middle and higher.”

Furthermore, León highlighted that “the Network has chosen the University of La Serena as the venue for this meeting precisely because of the track record that this university has as a reference in pedagogical theater. The work of this efficient pedagogical tool in teaching mathematics is recognized both nationally and internationally, this marks an important milestone to continue with other universities.”

çFor his part, the Rector of the ULS, Dr. Nibaldo Avilés, valued the holding of this national meeting, pointing out that “as the University of La Serena, the only university of the State of Chile in the Coquimbo Region, it is an honor to host this "type of activities that contribute to the important work that teachers carry out in their different schools and schools."

Five talks were presented at the activity, among which the highlights were: “Training the Present”, by Cristian Keim, head of the Bachelor of Arts degree with a mention in Theatrical Performance at the University of Chile; “Theatrical practice in initial teacher training at the University of Los Lagos: A look towards the dark side”, taught by the academic of the University of Los Lagos, Claudio Yáñez; “Mathematical Theater: a pedagogical tool to recreate mathematics”, by Catalina Cvitanic, Director of Liaison with the Environment and Extension of the ULS; “Didactics of the square meter: pedagogy of space”, by the academic from the University of Playa Ancha, Jenny Madariaga; and the workshop “Pedagogical theater and non-violent communication in the classroom”, by the academic of the Metropolitan University of Education Sciences (UMCE), Claudia Tranchino.

The teachers and different personnel related to teaching in schools nationwide were grateful and inspired by the theme of the meeting and the invitation to innovate in the classroom. “I congratulate you for this activity that for me has been tremendously inspiring and very suggestive professionally, because in pedagogical reality I believe that it is the only way we have, to do true educational work in such a masked system. I feel that those of us who have a real, honest need to educate in the integration of our society. This is a loving and possible path, so I congratulate you and I hope we can have more possibilities to train ourselves, to educate ourselves in this and to recover this dimension of the transcendent that art gives us," said Aydé Tirado, teacher at Pierrot School. .

Premiere of pedagogical theater work

On the occasion, the ÉTÉULS theater cast presented a sample of mathematical theater with the play “Empezar de Cero”, a production by Dr. Catalina Cvitanic that premiered precisely at this meeting and which intends to continue in theaters for next 2019.

“I found the work didactic, very cognitive, it is a work that can be perfectly presented for children from 3rd grade onwards, the language is quite familiar,” commented Karen Gutiérrez, teacher at the “Creativitas” School.

For her part, Ingrid Moris, assistant at the Altué Professional Technical School, highlighted “I found the work fantastic, I loved it, I think these instances are very good for the people who work at the school (…) I work at the school, I am in The support part for the teachers and the work reminded me of things that sometimes are forgotten as a child, and now with this work I clicked again, so if the learning is that significant, the children will not forget it anymore. ”.

Both the attendees and the organizers of this meeting drew positive conclusions regarding the day and valued this meeting of significant experiences. “It seems to me that it is a super good instance, I think it should be repeated, it is super good to share a perspective that is somehow different from the one we have from the Theater School of the University of Chile, which is a disciplined perspective, opening up to a perspective of theater as a pedagogical tool, I think it is a very interesting possibility for growth and cooperation,” highlighted Cristian Keim, an academic at the U of Chile.

Finally, the Director of Liaison with the Environment and Extension of the ULS, who was in charge of the execution of the event, highlighted: "the very positive response from the teachers to this first meeting gives us light that our objective of using "Theater as a pedagogical tool is very well oriented, since today it is necessary to motivate the student in a different way."

Source: DIVEULS press

Youth and talent were the ingredients of the eighth musical proposal of the Universidad de La Serena Symphony Orchestra.

Under the baton of the restless national director, Luis Toro Araya, the ensemble belonging to the Network of Professional Regional Orchestras of the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage offered the community of the Province of Elqui an indelible musical journey. It was the VIII Concert of the 2018 Season, an event that consecrated the two brand new winners of the V version of the Regional Young Soloists Competition.

Joaquín Gómez Cerda, first place in the school category (guitar), and José Díaz Araya, first place in the university category (percussion), were the protagonists of this new presentation, who delighted the attendees of the Municipal Theater of La Serena with two interesting and diverse musical proposals: the 'Concerto in D Major for guitar and orchestra' by the Venetian composer Antonio Vivaldi and the 'Xylophone Concerto' by the Japanese musician Toshiro Mayuzumi.

For the guitarist and 2nd year student at the Jorge Peña Hen Experimental School of Music, demonstrating his skill on the instrument accompanied by the Universidad de La Serena Symphony Orchestra “was a great opportunity for me, it would be a great honor if it were repeated again.” in some other context. Being able to share the stage with an orchestra as important as this is one of the most beautiful experiences I have had,” said the young winner of first place in the school category, who revealed that his next challenge as a concert performer is “to continue working on music; In fact, the next most important competition that he would apply to would be the 2019 Luis Advis Musical Composition Competition. That would be my next goal.”

The symphonic evening was also marked by the audacity of the percussionist José Díaz Araya, who set out to dazzle those present with the versatility and sonority of the xylophone: “I find that my objective of making this instrument known to the community was totally compliment; In fact, after my presentation, many people came up to me to congratulate me and talk about the xylophone, and now they see it as a great solo instrument. Furthermore, the audience really enjoyed this concert, they liked the xylophone and I loved that,” said the outstanding musician, who is preparing to audition for a series of competitions and, next year, manage to enter the University of Chile and perfect his skills. as a Percussion Performer.

One of the attendees who pleasantly enjoyed Mayuzumi's work was José Fernández Menéndez, a regular spectator of the professional orchestra's presentations, who commented: “I thought this concert inspired by regional talent was excellent, the two winners are great musicians. Personally, the presentation of the young university student made us see a new dimension, especially in the second movement of the percussion.” For Graciela Rojas Salfate, this concert “was a great recognition for our generations, you can see that they are young people with a lot of talent, passion and perseverance for what they do, they were able to transmit their love for music and that is very nice to see. This competition is a tremendous showcase for them and it is very positive that our regional orchestra ensures that this relationship is kept active.”

The programming of this VIII Season Concert also gave rise to two captivating pieces by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: The Overture to the Opera 'Don Giovanni' and the Symphony No. 36 'Linz', which were conducted by another talented national promise, the conductor guest who triumphs in Switzerland, Luis Toro Araya. On his first musical visit to the Estrella Region, he indicated that “it was a pleasure to work with the Universidad de La Serena Symphony Orchestra, they do very serious and musical work, there is a great atmosphere and they are very willing to work. Without a doubt, it was a very interesting and quite complicated program, but everything went very well and I am leaving with a very positive balance of my stay in La Serena.”

Regarding sharing the stage with the winners of the Young Soloists Competition, Toro Araya added that “I love sharing with younger generations, personally, they have supported me a lot during my career; So, I am excited to be able to contribute with a grain of sand for these children who are just starting out.” Finally, the leader from San Vicente maintained that “these young people have every possibility of achieving great projects as musicians; Nowadays it is much more accessible to have the opportunity to travel to other countries and meet great teachers and, on the other hand, better and better instrumentalists come to Chile. As long as they maintain the same passion and the same energy that they have now, I believe that all their doors are open.”

These days, the Universidad de La Serena Symphony Orchestra is preparing to give life to the IX Season Concert, part of a new version of the MUSICAHORA Festival.

It should be noted that the realization of this 2018 Season, called 'The Symphony of Cultures', has the support and financing of the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage, through the National Budget Glosa since 2016; in addition to the collaboration of the University of La Serena and the Illustrious Municipality of La Serena, through its Department of Culture and the Municipal Theater.

Source: Press Symphony Orchestra University of La Serena

For five days, La Serena will be the scene of a sublime contest that mixes music, knowledge and talent of great exhibitors and guest musicians.

Continuing with its ambitious and colossal programming inspired by the great composers of the world, through the 'Symphony of Cultures', the ensemble belonging to the Network of Professional Regional Orchestras of the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage is already preparing to offer the community of the conurbation and its surroundings, its new musical proposal of the year 2018: the IX Seasonal Concert, which will put the finishing touch to a busy week of activities and sounds as part of the XV MUSICAHORA Festival.

The aforementioned symphonic evening is projected along the same path as the previous presentations, accompanied by outstanding guest musicians. On this occasion, the day will be led by the acclaimed Chilean teacher Helmuth Reichel Silva. Praised for his deep musicality and inspiring temperament, this restless conductor positions himself as one of the most interesting and versatile young teachers in South America. His success in the prestigious 2015 Besançon International Competition, where he was a finalist, brought him to the attention of the international art world, receiving invitations to work with orchestras in Europe, South America and Asia. In addition, Reichel Silva is the winner of the 2017 Award from the Chilean Art Critics Circle for his concerts with the National Symphony Orchestra of Chile.

For this sublime presentation, Helmuth will leave the city of Bamberg in Europe, where he currently resides, to return again to the commune of La Serena and work, after 4 years, with the region's professional orchestra: “I am very happy to return to come to this city after so many years. I remember that the first time I worked with this orchestra was in 2012; Then I came in 2014, and since then we wanted to look for a third opportunity to come to work and it couldn't happen due to time reasons; so this concert will be a very nice reunion,” commented the director who is triumphing in Germany.

Another of the great artists invited to close the MUSICAHORA Festival is the concertmaster of the National Symphony Orchestra of Chile, Alberto Dourthé Castrillón. The audacious musician has a vast musical career and training with emblematic teachers, such as Jaime de la Jara, Fernando Ansaldi and his father, Alberto Dourthé Abbé. Subsequently, he continued his training in Europe at the Luxembourg Conservatory, where he obtained the final diploma of higher studies in violin and chamber music; In addition, he is the winner of the first prize in violin with maestro Philippe Koch at the Royal Conservatory of Mons in Belgium and, in parallel, he continues to perfect himself with the violinist Igor Ozim, professor at the Cologne Conservatory, Germany. Dourthé Castrillón has been nominated for the APES and Altazor awards, and in 2002 he was awarded by his colleagues as the most outstanding professional of the National Symphony Orchestra of Chile.

During his career, Alberto Dourthé has also participated as a soloist with countless national and foreign orchestras. On this occasion and after 20 years without making a musical visit to the colonial city, the violinist will debut at the Municipal Theater: “it is always very nice to meet this orchestra again, here I have some former colleagues, friends and even former students, like the concertmaster of the Universidad de La Serena Symphony Orchestra and Helmuth Reichel, who graduated with me from the University of Chile, then went to Germany and made his career as a violinist and, later, as a conductor, which is the role he will now fulfill with we. Today, Helmuth is a tremendous conductor, very recognized nationally and also in Germany and that makes me very proud," said the musician, adding that his ties with the La Serena regional orchestra also extend "with other students who They studied in my area at the Modern School, and even former professors who worked at the Conservatory when they were assistants; So, there are many people that I am going to see again and that, on the one hand, is very nice for me; and, on the other hand, I have the obligation to do the best possible.”

XV MUSICAHORA Festival: Opening borders

With a varied and extensive artistic program in La Serena (from November 19 to 23), the MUSICAHORA Festival is positioned as one of the great regional events. His imprint and artistic strengthening has led to the realization of the XV version, which has multiple concerts and talks that are free and open to the public, with the purpose of responding to the educational and reflective commitment around music, contributing to the local community learn about the most current forms of musical expression and stimulate the formation of groups of listeners interested in discovering and delving deeper into this art.

In the words of the Artistic Director of the MUSICAHORA Festival and ULS academic, Esteban Correa Astudillo, carrying out this fifteenth version “is very significant because carrying out this contest is not an easy task, logistically it requires a lot of work, coordination, preparation and organization, but all in pursuit of something very positive, which is the possibility that as the Department of Music of the University of La Serena and by extension as a community of this city, we can be up to date with what is the musical creation of our time and that refers to a tradition that is quite long; That is, it is almost 600 years old, if we go back to the first creations that were made within what is modernity,” emphasized the composer from Serena.

During these five days of musical exchange, the Festival will have the participation of "musicians from other destinations in the country and also composers of various nationalities, especially Latin Americans, but also Europeans." Regarding the programming and the valuable collaboration they have with the University of La Serena Symphony Orchestra, Correa Astudillo explained that “having an orchestra playing contemporary repertoire is not easy, because most ensembles in the country or abroad concentrate their repertoire in rather old music, from the XNUMXth century, and they dedicate few concerts to current music. In fact, it is something that characterizes our regional orchestra and this Festival takes advantage of it to strengthen itself and for us it is a very important participation, because it also gives a status to the event that places it as one of the most important in the country."

The repertoire for next Friday, November 23, includes the works 'Happy Bird's Day' (2017) by Alejandro Guarello, along with two works by maestro Gustavo Becerra-Schmidt, with the 'Chamber Concerto' (1970) and the 'Violin Concerto' ' (1952): “he was a fundamental composer in the history of traditional music written in Chile, he was very prolific and very eclectic, who developed important work both here and abroad, since he lived for many years in exile in Germany during the Dictatorship, but he never lost contact with Chilean music and musicians. He also received the National Art Prize, mention Music (1971); So for us it is very significant and it is appropriate to pay tribute to his figure,” the Artistic Director explained.

Those who wish to be part of this unmissable closing concert of the MUSICAHORA Festival, which will take place at the Municipal Theater of La Serena at 20:00 p.m., 170 invitations for free withdrawal have been available: general public and older adults will be able to go to the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage Coquimbo Region (Colón #848), La Serena Public Library (Colón #495, corner Balmaceda), Gabriela Mistral Regional Library (Juan José Latorre #782) and/or Municipal Theater from La Serena (Benavente #580). While school students and students from the University of La Serena may pick up their invitation at the Extension Office of the ULS Music Department (Larraín Alcalde s/n, between Los Jardines and Seminario). Those who are unable to withdraw their invitation will be able to purchase tickets at the municipal venue box office on the same day of the event, with prices ranging from $3.000 for the general public and $2.000 for seniors, while school students and students from the University of La Serena presenting your credential.

It should be noted that the realization of this 2018 Season, called 'The Symphony of Cultures', has the support and financing of the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage, through the National Budget Glosa since 2016; in addition to the collaboration of the University of La Serena and the Illustrious Municipality of La Serena, through its Department of Culture and the Municipal Theater.

For more information about this amazing concert and the complete program of the XV MUSICAHORA Festival, just visit the portals www.musicahora.cl and www.sinfonicalaserena.cl, in addition to following the news on the Fanpage: 'Festival Musicahora' and 'Orquesta Sinfónica Universidad de La Serena', Twitter: @sinfonicaLS and Instagram: sinfonicalaserena.

Source: Press Symphony Orchestra University of La Serena