The talent and versatility of the students of the basic guitar workshop at the Instituto Municipal de Cultura, Turismo y Arte de Mazatlan (Cultura Mazatlán), under the direction of maestro Luis Ornelas, captivated the audience in a memorable recital held at the Museum of Music. From the finest melodies of classical music to the contagious rhythm of rock and roll and the passionate melancholy of boleros, the evening was a true musical feast.
The recital, which broke with convention thanks to the students’ own initiative to perform iconic songs, generated spontaneous interaction with the audience. Dozens of attendees applauded enthusiastically, sang along, and even danced in their seats, amazed by the remarkable progress and technical quality of each guitarist throughout the series.
A stellar cast and an unforgettable repertoire
The stage came alive with the participation of promising young artists such as Luis Mejía, David Solís, Agustín Juárez, Santos Rendón, Verónica Baena, Humberto Trejo, Paloma Alvarado, Jimena Gómez, Romeo Estrada, Juan Antonio Osuna, and Ángel Chávez. The evening was further enriched by the presence of special guests Cristóbal Osuna, a student of maestro Luis Ángel García, and Jolette Pucheta, a student of renowned maestro Enrique Patrón De Rueda.
The concert kicked off with the romantic and melancholic atmosphere of the boleros “Contigo a la distancia” and “Delirio,” performed by Jolette Pucheta and Romeo Estrada, accompanied by the guitars of Juan Antonio Osuna, Ángel Chávez, and Estrada himself.
The energy took a 360-degree turn with the explosive appearance of the Children’s Rock and Roll Ensemble, made up of David Solís, Luis Mejía, and Agustín Juárez. The classics “La Bamba” and “Twist and Shout” lit up the room and sparked widespread enthusiasm. The rock party continued with the Adult Rock Ensemble, made up of Santos Rendón, Verónica Baena, and Humberto Trejo, who got everyone dancing with “Popotitos” and “La Plaga.”
The Children’s Classical Ensemble, featuring Paloma Osuna, Jimena Gómez, and Agustín Juárez, demonstrated outstanding performances, performing pieces by immortal composers such as Mateo Carcassi, Ferdinando Carulli, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Johann Sebastian Bach, among others. Their impeccable technique stood out during their individual performances.
Finally, the Youth Ensemble shone brightly. Their collective performance of classical music and bolero songs was exceptional, and their solo performances astounded the audience. Songs such as Telemann’s “Concerto for 4 Violins in D Major” and J. S. Bach’s “Prelude in D” were heard with joy, while legendary boleros such as “Perdón,” “Bésame Mucho,” “Piel Canela,” and “Contigo a la distancia” won the hearts of those in attendance.
Satisfaction and New Talent
For maestro Luis Ornelas, this guitar recital represented a true “revolution” compared to previous performances.
“It was worth the hours invested in rehearsals. I’m very happy with the result. I’m left with great satisfaction, joy, and the desire to always continue working for the students every day, motivating them and encouraging them to continue with music so they can be good citizens. All music has its importance, its own ways of being interpreted,” he added.
Juan Antonio Osuna, a member of the Classical Youth Ensemble, received congratulations and praise for his outstanding performance. His skill with the requinto in boleros and his fine technique in classical pieces made him one of the favorites of the night.
“Classical music is part of the CMA; it’s always been played, but we wanted to explore a new genre, bolero, something that has caught our attention for some time. We implemented something very beautiful; they’re not simple, they’re very complex, especially ‘Perdón.’ We hope to soon give a bolero concert at the Casa del Marino,” the young musician expressed with excitement.
