Pro
Música Ensenada Needs Your Support!
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by connie ellig
For more than twenty years, Pro Música
Ensenada, A.C. has contributed to the cultural enrichment of
the community through its presentations of classical music and other works
by the world’s greatest composers. Its two adult choral ensembles have
captivated concertgoers with sublime performances that have included Handel’s
“Messiah,” Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy,” Haydn’s “The Stations,” Mozart’s “Davide
Penitente,” Orff’s “Carmina Burana,” Banchieri’s “Il Festino,” and Bach’s
“Magnificat.” Its children’s choir has delighted audiences of all ages
with imaginative renditions of “The Little Barber of Seville” and “The
Little Chimney Sweep.”
Pro Música Ensenada is a nonprofit organization whose objective
is to “stimulate community interest in classical music through teaching
activities and the presentation of musical events.” It features an Academy
of Music that offers courses in violin, piano, guitar, drums, percussion,
and voice for children and adults, as well as numerous workshops to enhance
their musical education. Presently the academy has a faculty of 12 instructors
and approximately 120 students.
Formed in 1984, the Pro Música Ensenada Choral Ensemble is comprised
of 54 mixed adult voices. The group maintains a schedule of performances
and covers a repertoire of “a capella” music from different periods, symphonic
chorales, traditional Mexican music, and French, Italian and world operas.
The ensemble has performed in concert with the International Orchestra
of San Diego, the Jalapa Symphony, and the Orchestra of Baja California,
and it appeared as guest of honor at the opening ceremony of the 2004 International
Cervantine Festival in Guanajuato, Mexico.
Created in 1992 and consisting of 16 mixed adult voices, the Monteverdi
Chamber Choir has performed in various theaters in Baja California, Guanajuato,
Mexico City, and San Diego, California. Its repertoire includes chamber
music, Negro spirituals, and programs of traditional Russian and Latin
American music. Pro Música’s newest ensemble, the Children’s Choir,
made its debut in the year 2000. Comprised of 35 children between the ages
of 7-12, the group makes several appearances per year, often as part of
Pro Música’s annual Christmas program.
Music has no borders and at Pro Música, this is quite evident.
Its Academic and Musical Director is Maestra Galina Pashniak, born in Moldova
(U.S.S.R.). Evgeny Korolkov and Ella Korobchenko, who serve as pianists
for the choral ensembles, are also of Russian heritage. Chorus members
represent an international potpourri of musical influences from Mexico,
the United States, Europe and South America. Guest vocalists who often
accompany the choirs are from the United States, Russia, Europe and different
states in Mexico.
Like many other music and arts institutions on both sides of the border,
Pro Música Ensenada has suffered cuts in government funding and
is in danger of losing its academic and office facilities on Av. Obregon
#1025 in Ensenada. Its sources of income are dependent upon official subsidies,
private donations, student enrollment fees at the Academy of Music, concert
admissions, choral performance fees at private and public events, raffles
and other fundraising activities. Here’s what you can do to help:
- Attend Pro-Musica concerts, arts & crafts fairs and other benefit
events.
- Purchase a Pro Música t-shirt, bottle of Pro-Musica wine, a
CD recording of the chorales, or DVD of the “Misa Azteca (Aztec Mass)”
performed at 2004 International Cervantine Festival in Guanajuato. Most
items are available at concerts.
- Donate new or used musical instruments.
- Make a monetary donation. If you are feeling grandiose, help Pro Música
re-establish its scholarship program for exceptionally talented and motivated
children who need assistance paying for their musical education. Sponsor
a student!
Donations are tax deductible. For more information or concert tickets,
contact Pro Música Public Relations Coordinator Marcela Danemann
at (646)178-7024; e-mail
or visit the Spanish-language web site www.promusicaensenada.org
Help Pro Música Ensenada continue its dedicated efforts to bring
classical music to all!
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