January 1-7, 2014
www.theplayatimes.com Weekly, Year 01, Number 14, 16 Pages
theplayatimes~Agency
NEW CHILDREN´S ORCHESTRA
OF PLAYA DEL CARMEN BY GEMA GARCÍA
T
he Department of Culture, Playa del Carmen is launching a youth symphony orchestra. The department director, Luis Ernesto López, said that the aim is to support and encourage children´s musical talent and to cultivate and nurture the spirit of teamwork, providing skills that are useful in life through music-learning and performing opportunities in orchestral settings. The initiative will accept children and young people aged 8 to 22. Since the scheme was founded, the project has received 40 registrations, although they have places for up to 250 students. “The director of the orchestra is maestro Juan de Dios González. Currently we ask that members provide their own instruments, although we are also attempting to buy a number of different instruments. We want this project to be a success and sustainable and therefore we are committed to keeping its programs accessible to the broadest range of families”, said Luis Ernesto López. The organization accepts students of various levels and offers a wide range of programs suitable for students from beginners to the most gifted. This new project will be an opportunity for children to learn and understand music under the guidance of quality teachers. “With this project we seek to create activities that engage children and young people. Without the space for expression or interesting activities, some may take the wrong path. This is a very important project because it is the first time we have attempted something like this in Playa del Carmen, we invite all children and young people to come together and take part in the symphony project". Enthused Luis Ernesto López. The organization strives to involve members with their communities through performances for civic and cultural groups.
The orchestra will include all the elements of a full symphony and include woodwind, brass, percussion and string sections, thus offering a full range of musical choices for the members of the new orchestra. The lessons are available daily from 4pm to 6pm; at the cost is $300 MXP per month plus a $100 MXP enrolment fee. Membership fees are kept below the actual costs of the organization's operation and well below private school rates. Parents interested in registering their children will need to go to the Casa de la Cultura on Cruz de los Servicios Avenue, in front of Plaza las Americas, from 4pm to 6 pm to complete an application form and be able to provide a birth certificate. The director of the Culture Department also appealed to anyone who may have unwanted instruments to donate them to the Casa de Cultura, where it might transform a child´s life.