MacArthur Fellow Leads First Performance of Dominican Children's Choir, 10/27

The first event in the Uno a Uno program, a national, nongovernmental Dominican effort to build a community of diverse economic populations, is a gala concert-"Oye Mi Voz"-- which takes place at the National Theater in Santo Domingo on Thursday, October 27, at 8:30 p.m. Headlining the concert as an inspirational model of diversity and artistic excellence is the Young People's Chorus of New York City conducted by Francisco J. Núñez, YPC's artistic director/founder and 2011 MacArthur Fellow.

Mr. Núñez is collaborating with Jose Santana, the ambassador to Dominican President Leonel Fernández to create a national children's chorus based on the inclusive YPC model, drawing together children from Dominican communities rich and poor. Guest artists at the "Oye Mi Voz" concert include legendary Cuban artist/composer Paquito D'Rivera and the newly formed El Coro Capotillo. El Coro Capotillo, comprising children from one of the most impoverished and dangerous areas of the country, is the first of five children's choruses to be established from different economic parts of the Dominican Republic over the next two years, all of which will come together as Coro de Jovenes de Santo Domingo.

The October 27 concert will include a wonderful mixture of Latino favorites, music from other lands, including gospel spirituals from the U.S., and the opportunity to sing along. A particular highlight of the program will be the professional stage debut of El Coro Capotillo, who will sing "Cantamos Uno a Uno," written by Mr. Núñez specifically for this occasion. A TV spot for the concert is available HERE.

On Saturday, October 29, two days following the concert, Francisco J. Núñez -who is also a composer, conductor, and music educator-will give choral workshops for Dominican teachers from throughout the country at the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo, where they will discuss repertoire for young people and teaching techniques and hold rehearsals for the concert at the University that evening.

Through Mr. Núñez's efforts, a conducting fellowship and training program is being established in upstate New York at Ithaca College and in New York City under the direction of Mr. Núñez to provide top quality leadership for the new Dominican children's choirs as they are established.