Real information on San Carlos Sonora Mexico
Esperanza Azteca Sonora Youth Orchestra Choir coming to San Carlos Feb 9th

Esperanza Azteca Sonora Youth Orchestra Choir coming to San Carlos Feb 9th

 

The Esperanza Azteca Sonora Youth Orchestra and Choir are coming to San Carlos!

By Rachelle Zola

Save the Date and Time: They are performing at the San Carlos Plaza on Sunday, February 9, 2014e (3)
at 4:30pm.  After the performance meet the students up close and personal. *Because of the relationship that the Performing Arts Council (PAC) has with San Carlos Plaza, the hotel is giving us the venue for free.

The “Esperanza Azteca Project” is a social initiative operated by Grupo Salinas’ Fundación Azteca (Azteca Foundation), to improve the quality of life for youth in low-income and marginalized communities in Mexico through music. The foundation provides start-up money to buy all new instruments, music stands, chairs, paying teacher salaries, renting space, electricity, etc. for the new youth orchestra and choir. After one year the program is to become self-sustaining through paid performances, and financial support from the private sector and government.

I’m writing with a sense of urgency today.  To ensure the continuity of this project the private sector and government must participate.  Leticia Medina Rivera, the local coordinator, and Carlos E. García Beltrán, the conductor of the youth program are speaking with and meet

ing with people in San Carlos, Guaymas and throughout Sonora daily to find the necessary financial resources to ensure that this program thrives. With this commitment from the community the Azteca Foundation has continued to support the orchestra and choir.

Before I go into more details about this incredible organization, please read what a few of these wonderful youngsters have to say:

Sonora Esperanza OrchFelissa, 12 years old, writes what Esperanza Azteca means to her – It is a fun way to express myself with music. It is a big family where I can talk, laugh, learn to play an instrument and have the opportunity to meet many people.

Mario, 13 years old, writes

 

: It is something marvelous!  It has allowed me to change my life and I am proud of myself. My parents have supported me and I have been able to improve my grades at school. Because of this I am proud to be in Esperanza Azteca.

Fernanda, 16 years old, writes: I think the orchestra is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. Since being in the orchestra I have met many people and I am less shy. I have learned many things and most of all I am happy here because they are like a family.

Fabiloa, 16 years old, writes: For me, to be in the orchestra has completely changed my life. Before, I was wasting time or getting into trouble. To get into the orchestra, to go to the auditions, was a big deal for me. Even the first month of being here, I continued with my foolishness that didn’t serve anything. Slowly I change my life. When I was little I wanted to study music but I left because I was scared. Now I realize that music is a lifestyle; it is the most important thing in my life. If it was not for the orchestra I would not be the person that I am now. I am a better p

Sonora Esperanza Choir

erson, a better musician – a person with free expression. It has changed me completely.  In a few words – if not for the orchestra I would not be happy.

I was introduced to this organization in Guaymas at the beginning of this year and I ‘fell in love!’  I couldn’t believe my ears – they were truly amazing! Seventy youngsters out of the 100 students in the orchestra had never played an instrument before. The students practice five (5) days a week, four (4) hours a day after school.

When you hear them or you hear others talking about them you will know why I, and the members of the Performing Arts Council (PAC) and Castaway Kids and many other people are willing to volunteer to support this treasure in our own backyard. After reading this article, if you are interested in participating in any way, please do not hesitate to contact me.

This project arose from the need to address and provide means of relief to some very real and serious social and human problems such as; poverty, personal despair, addictions, delinquency and lack of developmental opportunities. This project’s mission is to offer children realistic and viable alternatives to fully develop their abilities, particularly their creative skills – be it a music career or  another career, to become successful members of society.

These children show over and over again that they know how take full advantage of a positive opportunity, making it imperative that we continue to invest in their education.  What a great social return on capital of any project!

This project develops the character of their students through teamwork, discipline, the pursuit of excellence, solidarity, respect, honesty, tolerance, perseverance, boldness and courage. Through this project these youngsters are given the skills to learn to – respect and honor themselves and others and to understand and appreciate their own delightful uniqueness.

While no musical knowledge is required, students must demonstrate certain skills, such as rhythm, intonation and coordination. Preference is given to students from low-income families. Children with disabilities are accepted.

The model for the orchestra and choir was first developed in Venezuela – El Sistema – and has been proven to be capable of replication, from both a musical and economical perspective. It has been demonstrated that music is a powerful means for social change.

There are 54 orchestras in 29 states in Mexico, touching the lives of nearly 12,000 youngsters, their families and communities. The project also creates employment for approximately 800 music teachers.  The vision of the Aztec Foundation is to have 500,000 youth involved in orchestras and choirs throughout Mexico.

Each orchestra and choir has between 15-18 teachers and approximately 200 youth. One hundred will learn to play a musical instrument, while the other 100 hundred will develop their singing skills in the choir. Currently in Guaymas there are 15 instructors and they’d like to hire three more.

Besides the concert in San Carlos in February they are scheduled to play in Hermosillo and Guaymas and they look forward to performing in Obregón and Nogales.  Their goal is to have one concert per month.

To keep this program going in Guaymas they need approximately $250,000USD/year

How we can do our part to assist in making this program self-sustaining.

  • A sellout crowd at the Sunday, February 9, 2014 performance at the San Carlos Plaza. That means we need to sell 900 tickets.  Cost per ticket: $200 pesos. If you want to sell tickets let me know.

 

  • Sponsorships for specific students and teachers. To sponsor a student – approximately 750 pesos/mo. or $50USD/mo – includes bus fare and tuition. To sponsor a teacher or the local coordinator – the range of salaries: $9,280-$15,080 pesos/mo. or $710USD-$1,154USD/mo. (Please contact me directly if you are interested in sponsoring someone.)

 

  • Donations that go into their general fund will be used to fund all their expenses including: students, teachers, rent, electricity, repairing and buying instruments, toilet paper, food so no one goes hungry…the list goes on

 

  • If you know anyone or an organization that might be interested in the project please contact them or let us know about them and we will make the contact.

 

  • If you want to volunteer in any capacity, have a marketing background, etc. please contact me!

TO DONATE: Castaway Kids has set up a special account for the purpose of receiving donations to help this program continue, with 100% of the funds donated in the name of Esperanza Azteca, the youth orchestra and choir, going to this program.

If you are writing a check please make it out to Castaway Kids, Inc. and on the MEMO LINE write: Esperanza Azteca or youth orchestra/choir.  U.S. donors can claim a charitable deduction on their income tax forms.

You can also go to www.castawaykidsmx.org and donate online. There is a PayPal feature with a ‘MEMO LINE’ – specify Esperanza Azteca/ youth orchestra and choir.

If you are giving cash please put it in an envelope identifying it as going to the youth orchestra and choir program.

DROP OFF DONATIONS at Long Realty Seaside on Beltrones Blvd – a ‘box’ has been set up for the “Youth Orchestra/Choir.”  I will personally be picking up the checks and cash and giving the funds to Alison Boyle, the assistant treasurer of Castaway Kids.  With the people overseeing the program Castaway Kids will receive a report as to how these funds are being used.

And of course, if you see me I’ll happily take your money right there on the spot and give it to Ali to deposit.

FOR WEEKLY UPDATES:  Please go to the bulletin board and search: Youth orchestra

TO CONTACT ME – Rachelle Zola

Email: rrzola@msn.com

MX cell phone: 225-9287 (you can leave a message)

Magic Jack: 303-660-6309 (you can leave a message)

MX landline: 622-226-0956 (you cannot leave a message)

 

With your support we will keep the orchestra and choir vibrant.  Thank you!

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