During this period, choral institutions were created that identified, distinguished, and honored the prestigious name Cuban music enjoys today, through hard work to promote Cuban choral music.

The Cuban National Choir, a name it adopted shortly after its creation in 1960 by Serafín Pro, was first known as the National Theater Choir (Paseo and 39th Street, Plaza de la Revolución, Havana) and later as the Polyphonic Choir. It has performed premieres and first performances in Cuba of all previous musical genres and of works dating back several centuries, including Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.

The Cuban National Choir has performed at important national and international choral events and has also left its mark on the soundtracks of several films, such as The Last Supper by Tomás Gutiérrez Alea. It has been directed by the distinguished conductor Digna Guerra since 1975.

On the other hand, there is the renowned Orfeón Santiago, founded in Santiago de Cuba in 1960 by its director Electo Silva. The repertoire it performs includes numerous works that cover a wide range of musical genres and date from the 15th century to the present day, featuring pieces by renowned composers such as Leo Brower, Roberto Varela, and Pablo Milanés.

The Santiago Choir is the main figure of the Santiago de Cuba National Choir Festival. Since its inception, it has been recognized as one of the most outstanding Cuban choral groups of all time. In 2010, the Santiago Choir celebrated its fiftieth anniversary in the Cuban musical scene.

The Matanzas Chamber Choir was founded on March 13, 1961, by Octavio Marín. It was later directed by Félix Rodríguez Espada and is currently under the tutelage of José Antonio Méndez Valencia, who has held that position since 1986. In 2008, its members participated in the Corazón Adentro Cultural Mission, working for eight months providing educational and musical training to Venezuelan children and young people.

He performs the Spring Choral Concerts in the city of Matanzas, which take place in April. He has shared the stage with various groups, such as the Yale University Choir, the New Singers of Amsterdam Choir, and the Canadian project Sharing a New Song, to name just a few from the international scene.

The Camagüey Professional Choir was founded on November 12, 1961, by Jorge Betancourt. Guillermo Cortina later took over as its director. It is currently under the baton of Emilia Díaz Chávez, who has served as its director for 28 years.

It has a wide and varied repertoire, composed of works by great masters of different musical styles such as Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, as well as contemporary works by foreign and Cuban composers.

The Sancti Spíritus Clave Choir was refounded in 1961 by maestro Rafael Gómez Mayea. Initially, the choir consisted only of men, a fact that changed over time as female voices were added to its ranks, giving it the distinctive sound it displays today. Currently, the choir consists of fourteen singers, nine women and five men.

It’s the only group of its kind that maintains its original elements within Cuban music; it’s a group that preserves a tradition and is also a symbol of one of the most legitimate expressions of Cuban music.

The Holguín Orfeón was founded in November 1964 as a Special Amateur Choir, sponsored by the then National Council of Culture and conducted by Ana Arriaza Fernández. It changed its name to the Holguín Orfeón the same year it was founded, following a proposal by Maestro Elect Silva. Among the works by both Cuban and foreign composers featured in its repertoire are works by Bach and Javier Bustos; and the songs “Chivo que rompe tambó,” “El guayabazo,” “Mejor Diciembre,” and “Son Homenaje” by Moisés Simons, Guido López Gavilán, and Juan Almeida, respectively.

In 2007, they participated in the International Choir Festival, performing at the Dolores Hall (Aguilera y Reloj Street, Santiago de Cuba) and taking part in concerts scheduled for streets, schools, hospitals, and other institutions. They have received several awards, such as the Holguín Axe, the highest distinction given by the province to distinguished individuals and institutions.

The Santiago Children’s Choir is a school choir founded by maestro Electo Silva more than three decades ago in the eastern province of Santiago de Cuba. Since then, it has been under the tutelage and guidance of the same maestro. Its repertoire includes numerous songs from the traditional children’s collection, as well as songs by contemporary composers. Its high performance quality has earned it various awards in Cuba and abroad. It is a choral institution that contributes daily to the development of Cuban music.