The long-awaited trilogy of concerts captivated adults, children and fans of George Lucas' Universe, giving life to a generous repertoire with pieces from episodes I to VII.

Thousands of people experienced an extraordinary weekend in the Coquimbo Region, after attending the Aula Magna of the Ignacio Domeyko ULS Campus to enjoy the unforgettable and masterful show 'Star Wars: A Movie Concert', performed by the Symphony Orchestra Regional University of La Serena during three successful days.

The ambitious proposal inspired by the Universe of George Lucas and which responds to the eighth Season Concert of the symphonic ensemble, captivated adults, children and, above all, fans of the saga with a high-level staging never before seen in the country. leading attendees to an immersive musical experience immersed in the senses with the projection of images in 16/9 cinema format in high definition and a sublime selection of works that included from episode I to VII, delighting the audience with pieces such as 'The Asteroid Field', 'The Imperial March', 'Princess Leia's Theme', 'Rey's Theme', 'Scherzo for X-Wings' and 'Throne Room and Finale', which were performed with great strength and character.

Rodrigo Tapia Salfate was in charge of holding the baton during the memorable days of Starwarian music. His conduction was impeccable and precise, energizing more than 50 musicians on stage and nearly 1.300 attendees, and leaving an imprint that makes him worthy of one of the most important musical events held in the region during 2019: “First of all, I feel very grateful for having had the opportunity to conduct these three concerts. Grateful for the orchestra and its dedication because it is a very demanding program, which people know and, therefore, we cannot disappoint; we have to sound like the soundtrack that people remember. “We are very happy because this was achieved and the public enjoyed it,” he noted.

Regarding the execution of the repertoire, the Serenense maestro maintained that John Williams' orchestrations “range from the subtle to the pompous and the glorious, to the majestic, with beautiful melodic and soloistic passages, with dramatic sections, always technically challenging.” and interpretive, especially in this saga that has a lot of character and that has marked several generations. The two sides confront each other, so to speak: the theme of love and the theme of the dark side and these vary, combine, mix through all these films, during these 40 years of history. So there is a great demand for the orchestra and for the musicians, because we have to go through all the emotional states, existing and to be had, in just an hour and a half,” the baton continued.

The audience, effervescent by this intergalactic trip, was surprised by the level of the show and the opportunity to enjoy it without leaving the territory. Luis Suarez Galleguillos was accompanied by his 11-year-old daughter, and together they vibrated with the music and the staging offered by the professional ensemble: “we thought it was fabulous. The truth is that there are few times that one has the opportunity to see events of this magnitude and my daughter and I are super happy to have come. “We bought the tickets well in advance, so we are very, very happy to have enjoyed this great show,” she indicated. For the youngest, Catalina Flores, “the concert was really spectacular, I thought it was very good because I am also a fan of the saga, so I congratulate the orchestra for this show. It was beautiful, I loved it,” she expressed excitedly.

Ignacio Muñoz and Carolina Ossandón were also part of the fans who came to the university campus. “I have been a fan of the saga since I was a child and I really liked this concert, it was very well done. Furthermore, the auditorium is very suitable for this type of show and the orchestra sounded incredible,” Carolina said. For his part, Ignacio hopes that these types of shows continue to be repeated: “for someone who is a fan, he appreciates seeing these types of concerts. The acoustics of the room are very good and the orchestra could be heard very well, it is clear that they are all great musicians because playing those works should not be easy; In addition to that, the images they transmitted were very good. “It was a great event,” she indicated.

Each of the days featured clubs, fan groups and great guests from the region, who presented the best of their work through cosplays, diorama, exhibition of figures, accessories, stickers and photographic exhibition. Felipe Monardes Mena, creator of Rebel Pelícano (@rebelpelicano) dazzled with toy photography and his great compositions: “I am very grateful for the opportunity I had as Rebel Pelicano to exhibit during these three days. The stand was very visited, with many enthusiastic fans and curious people coming, with whom I shared good talks and they left me practically without prints or stickers,” he expressed.

Another of the great guests that delighted fans with their displays was the 'Vader's First and Collectors' Group, who provided helmets, blasters and lightsabers so that people could feel like a Jedi or Sith. In addition, many had the opportunity to take photos with characters such as The Emperor (Robinson Munizaga), Stromtrooper (Rafael Munizaga), Biker Scout (Roberto Urquieta), Inferno Squad (Hernán Álvarez), Poe Dameron (Eduardo Rivera), Kylo Ren (Nicolás Días ) and Piloto Tie (Claudio Robledo), in addition to filling the stand where dioramas and figures from the saga were displayed, led by Hugh Caró and Pamela Hernández, members of the group.

This season is carried out thanks to the financing of the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage, which since 2016 has been attached to the National Budget Glosa; in addition to the important support provided by the University of La Serena and the Directorate of Linkage with the Environment and Extension (DIVEULS); the Municipality of La Serena and its Department of Culture; and the Municipality of Coquimbo in conjunction with its Department of Culture.

Written by Camila Pérez, University of La Serena Symphony Orchestra

In the fifth version of FECILS, the study house will screen 14 films and documentaries, in addition to giving talks and hosting the opening ceremony of the contest that will take place between October 17 and 19.

This Monday, October 15, the official launch of FECILS 2019 was held, an activity that is taking place for the 5th consecutive year and where the University of La Serena will have a leading role through various activities, such as the exhibition of various competing films. in the regional and national documentary categories, along with outstanding national films, as well as talks by renowned panelists.

The Director of Liaison with the Environment and Extension of the University of La Serena, Mg. Carlos Varas commented that “the cultural issue is an axis that we have always had at the ULS, but we believe that we can have more prominence. Therefore, it is essential to participate in this festival and give it the highlight it needs to be recognized at the national level.”

For his part, the director of FECILS, Eduardo Pizarro, highlighted the importance of the work carried out together with the University of La Serena in this new edition. “Today the large national film festivals stand out for the work they do together with universities, since they are spaces intended for the dissemination of culture at a regional level. That is why for us as FECILS it is very important to have the collaboration of the University of La Serena.”

In this way, the opening ceremony of FECILS 2019 will be held next Thursday, October 17, at 20 p.m., in the Aula Magna of the study house (Benavente 980), where the film “Ema” will also be presented. , by director Pablo Larraín.

Along with this, the outstanding documentary “Nae Pasaran” by Felipe Bustos, and the feature film “Araña” by Andrés Wood, will be screened on Friday, October 18 and Saturday, October 19 (20 p.m.), respectively.

The actors and actresses who will be part of this festival are Álvaro Morales, Carolina Arredondo, Juanita Ringeling, Paulina García, Claudio Arredondo, Rodrigo Walker and Bárbara Ruiz Tagle, among others.

Conversation and talk at ULS

In addition, on Friday, October 18 at 11:00 a.m., in the ULS Exhibition Room (Benavente 950), there will be a discussion: “The role of women in state universities and artistic creation” by the actress Paulina García, and at 16:00 p.m., in the Auditorium Room of the Department. of ULS Music (Larraín Alcalde s/n°, between Seminario and Los Jardines), the talk will take place: “Musical composition for cinema” by the national composer based in the United States, Sergio Torres.

Tickets to participate in the different screenings that FECILS 2019 will hold can be purchased at the ULS Extension Center (Los Carrera 207) and at different points designated by the organization. They are free and open to the public. All information is available at www.fecils.cl.

Written by Tomás Rodríguez, DirCom

“Sembrando Frijoles” opens on October 10 at noon and will be open to the community until October 30, with free admission.

A magic bean is a seed that after being sown grows and grows without stopping until it reaches so high that you cannot see its end or the top of the plant. This beautiful story of children's stories inspires the Frijol Mágico Cultural Association, which is formed under this name and begins a constant fight so that regional illustrators can have a space and the community can know their work. From this union of artists, their first traveling exhibition called “Sembrando Frijoles” was born, a gallery that already has a regional tour and that on this occasion will be exhibited at the University of La Serena for free.

In this regard, the manager and director of the Frijol Mágico Cultural Association, Javier Fredes, highlighted that “it is the first traveling exhibition of illustration in the region, and thanks to all the institutions that have supported us we can 'plant these beans' in the garden. which is our region, and so they can go out and the entire community can learn about their work, not seeing the work of illustration only as a hobby, but rather understanding that this work is a profession and there are people in the region who lives from this.”

The exhibition will be open to the community, with free entry, from October 10 to 30 from 10:30 a.m. to 13:00 p.m. and from 14:30 p.m. to 18:00 p.m. Monday to Thursday and from 14:30 p.m. to 17 p.m. on Friday, in the Exhibition Hall, located at Benavente 950, La Serena. This activity is part of the 2019 exhibition cycle of the Directorate of Liaison with the Environment and Extension of the University of La Serena.

Written by Jenifer Araya, DIVEULS

Illustration credit Juan Carlos Cortes @juanca.cortes

The adventure through this successful saga promises a repertoire from episodes I to VII, projections of high-definition images, as well as a photographic exhibition, cosplays and exhibitions.

One of the most famous sagas in the world will arrive this October to the regional capital, with the help and mastery of the Universidad de La Serena Symphony Orchestra to captivate fans and admirers of George Lucas's successful masterpiece.

The long-awaited show 'Star Wars: A Movie Concert' promises to position itself on the cultural and artistic billboard of the Coquimbo Region as one of the great events of 2019. An epic experience that features three large-scale concerts and a wide repertoire that extends from episode I to VII, mixed with an amazing staging.

The trip includes three unmissable concerts. Two afternoon sessions to be held in the Aula Magna of the University of La Serena (Benavente #980), next Thursday, October 10 and Friday, October 11 at 20:30 p.m.; and a matinée on Saturday the 12th, at 17:00 p.m., in the same venue. Instance in which the professional group from our region promises to surprise and captivate with its performance the more than a thousand attendees expected in these three days of Starwarian music.

As part of the artistic proposal, the magnanimous event promises a 360-degree experience with total immersion of the senses. Each of the presentations will be accompanied by the projection of high definition images, in addition to the active participation of clubs and fan groups, photographic exhibitions, cosplays and many more surprises, which will be available to the public two hours before each concert, that is, at 18:00 p.m. and 15:00 p.m. respectively.

Felipe Monardes Mena and his brand Rebelpelicano (@rebelpelicano) will be present at these concerts through photography and their passion for the universe of George Lucas. His profession has led him to stand out not only in the territory, but also to be the only photographer in Chile dedicated to toy photography: “I have been a Star Wars fan since I can remember, I grew up with the original trilogy (…) I was invited to participate with my photography exhibition, which has been rotating and presented at some conventions. It is a selection of works registered between 2017 and 2019, so that people can learn about my work, my passion and my personal project,” he says.

In addition to being a prominent Star Wars fan, Monardes maintains a close relationship with the professional group: “As a photographer I worked for several years with the Orchestra and I am fascinated by symphonic music and, obviously, the music of Star Wars is my favorite,” he says. Regarding this trilogy of concerts that will be presented in La Serena and his participation as an exhibitor, the creator of 'Rebelpelicano' assures that "the important thing about this event is to be able to bring people closer to Star Wars, not only from the scope of fanaticism or collecting, but also, from a musical aspect that is tremendously important, 50% of what the saga is. John Williams' music, especially 'A New Hope', is practically a modern classic of film music. It has been played by the world's great orchestras and now it is a luxury that our Symphony Orchestra can present a playlist, quite generous otherwise,' he expressed.

Another of the exhibitors at this event is the 'Vader's First and Collectors' Group, who will share all their fanaticism for the saga: “We will present an exhibition with our Star Wars collection, which specializes in assembling dioramas, which are scenes from the movie carried out with the figures. In it we recreate the environment and the figures simulate the different types of battles,” explained the group's emperor, Robinson Munizaga.

In addition to this collection, Vader's First will present cosplays, so that the audience can take photos with their favorite characters. “Our goal is for attendees to participate, providing them with helmets, blasters, and lightsabers so they can feel like a Jedi or Sith. We invite the audience present to interact with us and feel like a child again, in this way our objective would be achieved. Many of the adults who come to our exhibitions were children at the time the saga began and they remember things from their past with this saga,” Munizaga elaborated.

For those who do not want to miss this great and unmissable trip to the dark side of the force, tickets are now available for $6.000 per person. These can only be purchased at the Music Department of the University of La Serena (Larraín Alcalde s/n, between Los Jardines and Seminario) or by calling 9-81394607.

This season is carried out thanks to the financing of the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage, which since 2016 has been attached to the National Budget Glosa; in addition to the important support provided by the University of La Serena and the Directorate of Linkage with the Environment and Extension (DIVEULS); the Municipality of La Serena and its Department of Culture; and the Municipality of Coquimbo in conjunction with its Department of Culture.

Written by Camila Pérez, University of La Serena Symphony Orchestra

The musical proposal belonging to the 2019 season of the professional ensemble was left in the hands of the Wind and String Ensemble.

The fourth Chamber Music Concert organized by the University of La Serena Symphony Orchestra in the Elquino territory ended with a flourish, after presenting a free musical program that not only stood out for the select selection of the pieces, but also for the impeccable execution carried out by the musicians.

The trip was in the hands of the String and Wind Ensemble of the professional group, led by Milén Godoy (flute), Andrés Pallero and Erick Delgado (clarinet), José Luis Urquieta and Cristian Astorga (oboe), Alevi Peña and Francisco Ramos (bassoon ), Gerson Pierotti, Alejandro Meléndez and Sebastián Villegas (French horn), Iván Rivas (violoncello) and Andrés Carvajal (double bass), who delighted the inhabitants of the communes of Andacollo and La Serena with their programming.

'Three Pieces for Clarinet Solo', a masterpiece in the instrument's repertoire written by the brilliant Russian composer, Igor Stravinsky, was performed by the orchestra's first clarinet, Andrés Pallero, opening the long-awaited concert. The program continued with 'Three Short Pieces for Wind Quintet' by Jacques Ibert. A very virtuoso and interesting piece that captivated the effervescent and receptive audience of the province with the sound of the winds.

Then it was the turn to enjoy the music of the European master Paul Taffanel, along with the piece called 'Wind Quintet in G Minor'. To finish with the virtuosity of the wind and string players who formed an octet together with the 'Serenade for Winds, Violoncello and Double Bass', by the great composer Antonín Dvořák.

Javiera Yañez, a resident of the commune of Andacollo, was very receptive to the presentation: “the concert was wonderful because listening to this type of music relaxes you and feeds your soul. My daughter belongs to the El Parroquial School Symphony Orchestra and for me it is and has always been a pleasure to be able to listen to this type of music. An opportunity like this does not always occur in Andacollo, so it is a privilege to be here,” commented the assistant, who enjoyed this latest chamber music program with her entire family.

For Hernán Díaz, who was in La Serena for work reasons, he did not hesitate to be part of this musical journey: “I loved the concert for chamber format and the last work, that of Dvořák, moved me completely, I thought it was too beautiful ", he pointed. Likewise, Díaz related that this is not the first time that he has enjoyed a concert by the regional symphony, since every time he comes to La Serena and there are concerts, he takes the time to attend: “I already have a relationship that goes back several years. These concerts that I have attended have been separated, perhaps once or twice a year, and I have followed the maturation process of the orchestra where I have seen great talents and beautiful performances. “She gives important cultural value to this city,” he explained.

Finally, the first bassoon of the ensemble, Alevi Peña, who led the audience to each piece, said that “for us it was very encouraging and a rich experience to be able to close this chamber season, which was very successful. We are very happy, especially for having gone to Andacollo to share our work and our music with the community, who were tremendously attentive and participatory, giving us a lot of love and welcome," he indicated, adding that "our audience in La Serena also gave us a great presence, with a lot of attention and a lot of interest, and that is greatly appreciated. We are very satisfied with the closing of this chamber season and we are already preparing for next year,” confessed the interpreter.

This season was carried out in the territory thanks to the financing of the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage, which since 2016 has been attached to the National Budget Glosa, in addition to the important support provided by the University of La Serena and its Directorate of Linkage with the Environment and Extension (DIVEULS); the Municipality of La Serena and the Department of Culture; and on this occasion, the Municipality of Andacollo and its Department of Culture and Tourism.

Star Wars-inspired concert

These days, the professional group is working on a great show that has three dates scheduled in the city of La Serena. This is the concert inspired by George Lucas' famous saga, Star Wars, where not only episodes I to VII will be presented musically, but images from the film will also be projected; as well as stands with exhibitions of their characters and cosplays.

The presentations will be held in the Aula Magna ULS (Benavente #980) and are scheduled for next Thursday, October 10 and Friday, October 11, at 20:30 p.m., and Saturday, the 12th of that month at 17:00 p.m. Entry costs $6.000 and can only be purchased at the Music Department of the University of La Serena (Larraín Alcalde s/n) or by calling 9-81394607.

Written by Camila Pérez, University of La Serena Symphony Orchestra

No more time will be taken to go to the office, register at one place and pay at another. From now on, course registrations are paid in http://capacitaciones.userena.digital.

The Training Office of the University of La Serena is an OTEC that has the purpose of transferring job skills to the regional and national market, through training courses. Since 2014, it has been in a constant modernization process that has allowed it to advance its internal processes, and consequently offer a better service to its students. Within this process, management has achieved a new milestone in progress, since as of October 1, students have an online payment option.

This alternative makes it possible to end transfers, offer students the possibility of paying remotely (without going through the cashier), improve internal registration management and optimize internal control mechanisms.

In this regard, the eng. Pablo Sánchez, in charge of the Training Office, highlighted that “continuous improvement is an idea that is always difficult to maintain in teams, because it implies always being attentive to opportunities, it is what we try to do; We realized that many of the students came to our office because they wanted to pay with bank cards and we only gave them one option, paying at our cash registers, limited in hours and which meant investing time in making the payment. We evaluated the feasibility and necessary resources, and we decided to do it. Finally, comment that this is not an isolated fact and adds to the constant challenge of this Office to converge to a complete digitalization of its internal processes.”

More detailed information on courses offered and payment transactions in http://capacitaciones.userena.digital.

Written by Jenifer Araya, DIVEULS