Responding to its cultural history, the regional capital is once again positioning itself as a great musical hotbed and manager of spaces for the training of new teachers.

After a week of hard work, exchange and constant learning (from May 10 to 17) the La Serena Regional Symphony Orchestra Foundation has successfully completed its First International Orchestral Conducting Course together with two Chilean conductors with great musical experience: the teachers Rodolfo Fischer Rojas and Felipe Hidalgo Harris. The training event brought together about 30 students from different latitudes in Chile and the world, who, using the same language, were able to strengthen their work in conducting orchestras.

'Los Atrapieblas' (advanced level) and 'Los Papayos' (intermediate level) were the groups that inaugurated this first workshop in La Serena, in addition to a dozen students who participated as listeners. This course was aimed at all orchestra directors, musicians or advanced students, without age or nationality restrictions, thus obtaining an active audience from different cities in Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Spain. The main objective of the workshop offered conductors the opportunity to work on repertoire in front of an orchestra, under the vision of two experienced orchestral conducting trainers.

Given this materialization, Rodolfo Fischer explained that this is part of a vision that “I started having in 2016 when FOJI gave me the impetus and opportunities to scan the country. Knowing what the level of orchestral conducting was, especially with regard to youth orchestras, and there I was able to make a survey of the needs that existed, and little by little I worked in Chile as well as in Switzerland to give the conductors the steps to continue improving. A year ago I came to the conclusion that I already had a group sufficiently prepared to face a professional orchestra and we did the first experience in Valdivia with the Los Ríos Philharmonic and, now, with the Universidad de La Serena Symphony Orchestra we successfully repeat the experience” , he deepened the baton.

The teacher based in Switzerland also highlighted the work and accompaniment provided by the university orchestra for the rehearsals of the intermediate group and maestro Hidalgo, in addition to the Universidad de La Serena Regional Symphony Orchestra, which worked alongside the advanced group under the supervision of maestro Fischer : “The enthusiasm that the musicians had in collaborating at every moment was very important. In the case of the university, it allowed us to strengthen those who are in another stage of orchestral development (…), at the level of 'Los Papayos', young people still have to learn gestural mechanics, how it works and what coordination is like. so that the orchestra responds well; while at the most advanced level, 'Los Atrapieblas', we worked on how I communicate my ideas correctly to the orchestra, that is, it has to do with the work I must have with people; Hopefully in a non-verbal way and if it is verbal, it will be extraordinarily precise because time is very limited. So the processes are very fast and the information must be exact,” explained the baton.

Workshop participants shared their opinions regarding this successful course. Alejandra Rivas Troncoso, traveled from Purén, in the Araucanía Region, to perfect herself for 7 days with maestro Fischer: “there are very few instances of orchestral conducting courses with professional ensembles. I have worked with youth orchestras all my life, I like it a lot, but I think it is important that youth orchestras begin to have a more professional profile and for that, those of us who direct must have experience with dealing with professionals, who It is different. Furthermore, the teachers who taught this course are of a very good level, both Felipe Hidalgo and Rodolfo Fischer are not only very good directors, but they are also very good directing teachers,” the participant emphasized.

José Fernández Camacho (Málaga, Spain) was another of the active students of the course. The clarinetist knows Maestro Fischer's work very well: “he was my mentor in the city of Basel (Switzerland) where I finished my studies. I have been the principal clarinet of said orchestra for three years and now, I am starting in the world of conducting as well; first with young orchestras, small ensembles and with everything that could collaborate. Now in Chile, this is my first foray into the Latin American world with this wonderful La Serena Orchestra,” explained the Spaniard, who was also awarded by the ensemble itself as the outstanding participant and invited to conduct the regional ensemble in the 2020 season. .-

Finally, teacher Felipe Hidalgo Harris highlighted the creation of this course, which projects new versions in the city of La Serena in the future: “this is a quite notable space because first it is an International Course, I don't know if Chile has organized international courses previously; second, it is accompanied by a professional orchestra such as the La Serena Regional Symphony and that is very important because it effectively leads the students to put into practice everything they have learned this week, they manage to apply the corrections in the moment, taking the pulse of what it is really like to lead a professional orchestra and that is extremely valuable for a conductor,” said Maestro Hidalgo.

Written by Camila Pérez, University of La Serena Symphony Orchestra

“Construction of Inclusive Universities for Human Development” is the topic addressed this year by the Raúl Bitrán Nachary Chair.

A new appointment to talk, analyze and above all listen, was presented again in the second conference of the 2019 Raúl Bitrán Nachary Chair conference cycle at the University of La Serena. In the activity, the guests presented different information and experiences that made visible many of the situations that a transsexual person experiences every day.

Andrés Rivera Duarte, member of the Advisory Council of the Chile Human Rights Institute 2015-2019, was in charge of starting the conversation on Human Rights and transdiversity, clarifying terms and contextualizing the situation in Chile regarding the topic. “Talking about Human Rights, from my point of view, is a tremendous pending account, and it is a pending account because it is difficult for us to recognize that even trans people are human beings (...) because the way we look, the way we "We treat them and the way we do not make them visible means that we do not recognize them as such," he emphasized.

After a detailed presentation, Andrés Rivera showed the audience his process of transforming his life into images, from childhood to the present, which generated strong and sustained applause, with which the audience showed their respect and need to discuss these themes.

Subsequently, Alejandra Díaz, coordinator of the Diversity and Non-Discrimination Office of the Municipality of Coquimbo, shared daily experiences of the office and, above all, the struggle and support that takes place both in the physical premises and in the stories of the people who come every day in search of support.

Finally, both speakers thanked the invitation and the opportunity to talk about diversity and inclusion, the central theme of the cycle “Construction of Inclusive Universities for Human Development”, organized by the Directorate of Liaison with the Environment and Extension, in conjunction with the Project 1799 of Inclusion and Disability of the ULS.

Written by Jenifer Araya, DIVEULS

The month of May featured the feelings of 'Sadness & Melancholy' and the participation of prominent voices from the country, who put the finishing touch to the event.

With a great staging, the University of La Serena Symphony Orchestra offered its third concert of the 2019 season in the Province of Elqui. A journey through the emotions of 'Sadness & Melancholy' marked by the tribute to the great teacher and choir trainer , Víctor Alarcón, and the interpretation of the sublime work written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Franz Xaver Süssmayr: 'Requiem Mass'; pieces that were applauded by the thousand attendees who were part of the program for the month of May.

The concerts were under the direction of the acclaimed national conductor, Rodolfo Fischer Rojas, who generated an interesting dynamic with the public, very close and where he contextualized and explained each of the works to be performed by the Student Choir of the Music Department of the University of La Serena and the Cantus Florido Vocal Ensemble, in addition to the participation of outstanding voices from our country: Andrea Aguilar Silva and Camila Gallardo (soprano), Alejandra Rodríguez (contralto), Ignacio Cortés (tenor) and Javier Galleguillos (baritone) .

The soprano, widow of the Fernando de Rosas National Music Prize winner, referred to the work 'In Memoriam a Víctor Alarcón', an absolute premiere that was presented in the conurbation in tribute to who was one of the most important choral directors in the world during his lifetime. country: “I believe that he deserves thousands and many more works from all Chilean composers. The fact that the choir is present, accompanied by a great orchestra and soloists, is extraordinary. Vicho loved the voice, for him it was always very important and he always said 'children have to sing, young people have to sing' and he created an instance, and he traveled throughout Chile where he did very important work; And well, this tribute came out very nice, the boys in the choir sang beautifully and it was very exciting,” said a moved Andrea Aguilar after finishing the piece written by the composer from Calama, Carlos Zamora.

The repertoire continued with one of the famous pieces of the classical repertoire, listed as one of the 5 most beloved works of the entire universal musical selection: 'Requiem Mass', K626 written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and finished by Franz Xaver Süssmayr. A musical journey that joined the anniversary celebrations of Coquimbo, after turning 152 years of life; and which later delighted the effervescent audience of La Serena.

Beatriz Dendal Apolonio, attending the anniversary concert of the Puerto commune, indicated that “we always try to go to all the Regional Orchestra concerts and this one was wonderful. The choir and soloists dazzled with their vocal range and I really enjoyed the first work, the absolute premiere, where the soloist enchanted with her voice; Furthermore, the orchestra played beautifully as always.”

It should be noted that this new season is financed by the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage, which since 2016 has been attached to the National Budget Glosa; in addition to the important institutional support provided by the University of La Serena, through the Directorate of Linkage with the Environment and Extension (DIVEULS); the Municipality of La Serena, through its Department of Culture; and the Municipality of Coquimbo with the support of the Palace Cultural Center.

Written by Camila Pérez, University of La Serena Symphony Orchestra

The presentations were given by the group's String Ensemble, while the master classes were given by the violin, viola and trumpet leaders.

Nine educational establishments, 6 simultaneous concerts and 3 orchestral instruction visits is what the La Serena University Symphony Orchestra carried out with great success in the regional capital and surrounding sectors of the commune. An important territorial work that responds to the guidelines embodied in its educational work, promotion and dissemination of orchestral music to the boys, girls and young people of the Coquimbo Region.

On this occasion, the interventions began with orchestral instruction visits by the violin, viola and trumpet leaders of the professional ensemble. The itinerary included rehearsals and training of the instrument for the String Orchestra of the emblematic Liceo Gregorio Cordovez, led by the musician Cecilia Olmos Pujado. Then, it was the turn of the String Orchestra of the Manuel Balmaceda School where didactic viola classes were held with Professor Ricardo Muñoz Bórquez. Finally, the visits culminated in the Pedro Aguirre Cerda de La Antena School of the Arts, where the row of bronzes could perfect themselves and improve their technique on the instrument together with the trumpeter Sergio Fuentes Ibarra.

After the master classes for the students, hundreds of pre-school and school students from different educational venues had the opportunity to learn about and enjoy the playful repertoire offered by the String Ensembles of the Symphony Orchestra. A total of 6 educational concerts, presented simultaneously at the Alonso de Ercilla School, Jardín Manitas Grandes, Manuel Rodríguez School, Quebrada de Talca School, Arturo Prat Chacón School and Carlos Condell de la Aza School were part of the sustained cooperation agreement. once again, with the Gabriel González Videla Corporation.

“We are very happy to be able to reaffirm this alliance with the Regional Orchestra for the third consecutive year. Every time we are improving and seeing more details about the selection of schools, which allows us to favor the educational perspective that the orchestra has. This year there is a high demand from you, to provide quality teaching work and generate new audiences in our schoolchildren,” commented Lucía Bolados Martínez, in charge of Heritage and Culture of the GGV Corporation.

This 2019, the ensemble belonging to the Network of Professional Regional Symphony Orchestras of the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage has proposed to work and respond to three fundamental lines of action in the educational approach. “For the first time, we worked on motivational talks to the 3rd and 4th middle classes of our establishments, in which musicians were there to motivate about the role of music, make known the work of a musician and, above all, instill in our young people the doing what they are passionate about, focused on the vocation of doing what makes them happy,” Bolados highlighted.

The Orchestra closest to you

More than two hundred students of different levels were part of the first cycle of educational concerts of 2019, who were grateful for the opportunity to enjoy, know and learn different themes of an orchestra, such as the name and sound of the string instruments, some passages of the works and their composers, clear up doubts about the interpretations and express their emotions regarding the pieces they heard.

Licán Piñones Piñones, from the Alonso de Ercilla School in Las Compañías, happily indicated that “I liked the musicians very much and I liked everything they did: the songs, the sound of the instruments, the emotions, everything. I learned what the instruments are called, and that there are different types and sizes of string instruments such as the violin, which is the smallest, and the double bass, which is the largest; and also the sound that stands out in each of them. I really liked participating in this class and telling them everything I felt when they played,” said the student.

For his part, Alejandro Tirado Correa, from the Manuel Rodríguez School, was very participatory and receptive in each of the works that the String Ensemble performed in his educational facility: “I really liked what the musicians played, especially the violin because My sister also plays this instrument and I really like its sound. In addition, I learned that string instruments are played with an element called a bow,” he commented.

Written by Camila Pérez, University of La Serena Symphony Orchestra

The event will show a new aspect of the annual theme of the Raúl Bitrán Chair, focused on diversity and inclusion in different aspects, with emphasis on education.

A new meeting of the cycle “Construction of Inclusive Universities for human development”, of the Raúl Bitrán Chair of the University of La Serena, will be held this Wednesday, May 15 at 11:30 hrs. in the Aula Magna ULS, located at Benavente 980. On this occasion, two guest experts in the field will address the human rights of transdiversities, empowerment and the gender identity law, in an exhibition that will include a discussion at the end of the activity .

At the event, the international human rights and gender identity consultant and member of the Advisory Council of the National Institute of Human Rights, Andrés Rivera, together with Alejandra Díaz, belonging to the Diversity and Non-Discrimination Office of the Municipality of Coquimbo, will address the structure of education versus human rights and the gender identity law.

The objective of this chair is to address the inclusion of sexual diversities, the complexities and challenges that they must face daily in Chilean society; analyze the implications of the gender identity law and the human rights situation of transgender boys, girls and adolescents.

This activity is organized by the Directorate of Liaison with the Environment and Extension of the University of La Serena in conjunction with the Disability Support Program (1799). Your entry is free and will be broadcast live on reuna.cl and on the ULS Extension Center Facebook page.

Written by Jenifer Araya, DIVEULS

The exhibition brings together the work of the students of the degree, where through photography they make known different realities and themes from the perspective of journalistic work.

With the aim of linking the work of the students of the ULS Journalism program with the community, the photographic exhibition “Visual Rhetoric” was inaugurated, showing what has been done in the area.

The Dean of the Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences, Dr. Luperfina Rojas, valued the initiative and collaboration of the students since “it has enormous value because it is the effort and learning that they have had. This has now been going on for eight consecutive years and as a Faculty that fills us with joy because here you see students who are committed,” she stressed.

The exhibition is organized in conjunction with the Directorate of Liaison with the Environment and Extension (DIVEULS) of the campus, and brings together the work carried out by students of the Journalism degree, where through photography they make known different realities and themes from the approach to journalistic work.

“This exhibition has the particularity that it is within a subject, it is an activity that makes visible and values ​​the work done by the students of the School of Journalism in the photography subjects, which is within their study plan and, In this way, it culminates a teaching and learning process that allows it to be visualized by the community and also allows the graduation profile to materialize in real actions,” said the School Director, Mg. Cristian Muñoz.

Instances like these contribute to the training of future professionals. That is why for the Director of Liaison with the Environment and ULS Extension, Mg. Carlos Varas, "these works go beyond the artistic because the students are trained with critical thinking, they see the social reality and a social responsibility is generated that is a hallmark of the Educational Model of the University of La Serena."

The free sample and the DIVEULS 2019 Exhibition cycle will be open to the public until May 24 and can be visited in the Exhibition Hall of the study house, located at 950 Benavente Street, La Serena.

Written by Consuelo Peña, School of Journalism