12.13 Choral Directors of Cuban Music in the 20th Century (1980-1999)

At this stage of Cuban music in the 20th century (1980-1999), it is essential to refer to the work of the directors of choral groups, since they enhance Cuban culture and contribute to enhancing the prestige of the island in terms of the interpretation of choral music.
María Felicia Pérez Arroyo, a prestigious choral director and teacher, graduated from the Franz Liszt School of Music in Germany. She has served on the judging panels of numerous national choral competitions and festivals. In 1987, she founded her own choral group, the Exaudi Chamber Choir.
She has taught workshops, courses, seminars, and master classes on Cuban choral music and choral conducting at universities, conferences, and numerous choral events held in various countries. She also teaches choral conducting at the Instituto Superior de Arte de Cuba (1110 Calle 120 between 9th and 13th, Cubanacán, Playa, Havana) and collaborated in the development of curricula for several music courses.
Alina Orraca, a Cuban choir director, has organized several choral groups, including the Chamber Choir of the National School of Music, the Schola Cantorum Coralina, and the Solfa Children’s Choir. She also serves as the conductor for the latter. She has advised and trained foreign choirs, such as the Coral Veritas of Brazil, and has also offered her expertise in choral conducting techniques and Cuban music by various composers.
The Medal for Cuban Culture, the “Alejo Carpentier” Medal, and the Diploma of Pedagogical Merit are distinctions that Orraca has received for his hard work in Cuban oral music.
Corina Campos has conducted important Cuban choral institutions such as the Cuban National Opera Choir and the Symphonic Choir of the Grand Theater of Havana (Paseo Martí No. 458, Old Havana, Havana). The Leo Vocal Chamber Choir is the choral group that is the result of her work and is also under her tutelage. With this group, she has performed at numerous national and international events, achieving satisfactory results.
Beatriz Corona Rodríguez, Cuban composer, choir director, arranger, and music producer, participated in the 8th Festival of Musical Youth and Performing Arts in Vienna, Austria, in 1979, as a member of the Chamber Choir of the National School of Arts (120th Street between 9th and 13th, Cubanacán, Playa, Havana), directed by Alina Orraca. In this competition, they won second prize in the Choir category. As a professional, she directed the Cienfuegos Professional Choir for a year.
In 1992, he undertook a working tour of various cities in Sweden; three years later, in 1995, he offered workshops on choral music and his work in Argentina. Also around this time, he gave classes and workshops on choral arrangement in Venezuela. His catalog consists of approximately 200 choral works in various formats, including orchestral music, chamber music, and religious works. He has set to music the poetic works of José Martí, Nicolás Guillén, Mario Benedetti, Pablo Neruda, Adolfo Martí, César Vallejo, Dora Alonso, and Dulce María Loynaz, among others.