Surely the astounding amount of success achieved by Viva la Musica and its supporters in nurturing and supporting talented Mexican music students at university is, if not one of the best kept secrets, certainly one of the least well known achievements in the area.
On Thursday August 14 some 24 hopeful new applicants, aspiring to careers in music and nominated by their music teachers, gathered at the Auditorio de la Ribera to audition for the annual ¡Viva! Scholarship Awards 2014.
Nine more, applying for continuation of their grants, were not required to attend in person as these are automatically renewed on the proviso that progress and good grades are maintained.
This year’s applicants’ aspirations were understandably high. As described in last month’s Guadalajara Reporter, with Viva’s help earlier scholarship winners were able to reach their potential and achieve an impressive range of music qualifications. These including bachelors, masters, doctorates and other special diplomas from an impressive range of top universities in Mexico, the United States, Canada, the Netherlands and elsewhere.
Former scholarship winners are now enjoying a range of musical careers in North America and Europe: from piano accompanist at the New York Metropolitan Opera House to running the annual International Opera Workshop in Guadalajara or performing internationally.
“As one who worked with teenagers in the United States, I am very impressed with how serious and hard working these young Mexican musicians must be to become so accomplished in just a few years,” said Barbara Hildt, the newest member of Viva’s board.
The chart (above) shows that the ages of this year’s successful applicants ranged from 11 to 24 and covered a broad range of musical offerings. The atmosphere in the hall was electric throughout the two hours of auditions and competitors, teachers, friends and family all listened intently, before breaking into applause at the end of each competition piece.
Twelve of the candidates were accompanied, some by fellow students and others by Timothy G. Ruff Welch, music director of Los Cantantes del Lago, who kindly stepped in at the last moment. He commented afterwards, “The amount of talent and preparation was overwhelming. I’m certainly glad that I didn’t have to make any decisions.”
The results of this year’s auditions were decided in private by five ¡Viva! judges plus Chris Wilshere, the artistic director of the Northern Lights Music Festival, the organization that handles the Thomas Gladney scholarships. While enjoying a close association, although awarded at the same time, these awards are funded completely separately from Viva’s scholarship program and valid for one year only.
Announcing the results and the disbursement of 97,700 pesos, John Keeling, President of Viva la Musica, said, “We are proud to be able to offer scholarships to so many promising young people. Three quarters of those who auditioned were deserving of support. It is sad that we were able to support only half of those.”
Viva’s fundraising concerts and trips to the Teatro Diana to watch the New York Metropolitan Opera Live broadcasts, provide an essential part of its scholarship resources and also help students to attend master classes or purchase professional quality musical instruments. In addition ¡Viva! provides an annual grant to support CREM-Ajijic Music School (Centro Regional de Estudios Musicales).
For further information, call Rosemary Keeling at 766-1801.