The crowd waited with anticipation as the stage of Magale Recital Hall lit up with talent and flavor or ‘sabor.’
On Sept. 16, the Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts at Northwestern State University of Louisiana presented the College of Dance (COD) Musica Variada, the first of four in a recital series featuring composers from underrepresented communities.
In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Monthーwhich runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15ーRobert Cardwell, the director of opera at NSU and producer of the COD Musica Variada, helped bring this recital to life.
“Tonight specifically was mostly for Latinx, Iberian and Spanish composers. I opened the program to anyone in the music department and sometimes we have members from the musical theater program that participate. Really it is just an opportunity for students to play or perform music that they wouldn’t normally get to do while studying the standard repertoire,” Cardwell said.
The night started with ‘Te quiero dijiste’ by Maria Grever, interpreted by Douglas Flores, a first year master’s student at NSU, with Victor Anselmo Mata playing the piano.
“I think I really like the song because before this, I used to sing it, but it was just singing. Then I did the research and it is more profound, it’s deep. You can tell it’s love from a mother mourning her baby that passed away,” Flores said.
The crowd was silent but full of emotion as Flores performed. The night had a lineup of 15 songs, some which included, ‘Canción de Cuna’ by Samuel Zyman, ‘Sin tu amor’ by Miguel Sandoval and ended with the famous ‘Bésame Mucho’ by Consuelo Velazquez.
Jose Luzuriaga, a freshman music performance major, performed ‘La Morita’ by Salvador Bustamante Celi, a composer from Loha, Ecuador, where Luzuriaga is also from.
“I really thought that this piece was very beautiful. It is in a minor key but it modulates through a major key in the middle of the piece and I think that contrast between those minor and major themes give those images from my city very well,” Luzuriaga said.
The concert ended with ‘Besame Mucho’ interpreted by the Double Bass Quartet with William Shupak, Jonathan Chaparro, Zavion Sowell and Karla Gonzales. The crowd cheered with enthusiasm in recognition of the catchy song.
The COD Musica Variada was more than singing for many of the students who performed. For some, it was a remembrance of their home country.
“It’s important to note that we have to be proud of who we are no matter if it’s Mexico, Colombia or Honduras. Whichever country, you should be proud of who you are. Coming here is an opportunity for us to express and show our culture as well,” Flores said.
The crowd applauded and gathered on stage after the performances, congratulating all the performers and leaving with a warm heart from getting a taste of Latin American culture.
