Guatemalan Music Festival Support

Saludos desde Chicago! My name is Josh Rodriguez, and I am composer and music educator. Together with my colleague, Guatemalan composer Xavier Beteta, we have launched an educational music festival in Guatemala (June 12-15) in partnership with the Conservatorio National and Universidad Del Valle.

We believe that music (and music-making) is a powerful bridge - one that is ever more urgently needed today for the sake of intercultural understanding. Music making (in choirs and instrumental ensembles) provides a context for human beings to build genuine cross-cultural relationships and learn to work together "in harmony." (music pun intended!) Attendees will learning from local and international musicians.

The goal for this music festival is:

1) to promote awareness of Guatemalan music and culture

2) to encourage music creation for the marimba (the national instrument)

3) to support college students (both US and Central America) who are preparing for professional work in music (performance, film scoring, concert composition, education).

4) to celebrate Latin American classical music (most of the music being performed at the festival belongs to Latin American women and men and lectures will focus on expanding awareness of our own "classical" and folk music)

In order to maximize access, we are committed to providing this 4-day festival of workshops, lectures, and concerts, AT NO COST to all attendees (both local and international). Most of our expenses have been covered by resources from various institutions (Elmhurst University, Wheaton College, Conservatorio National, Universidad Del Valle).

But we need your help to for the last bit: just over $2,000. Your donation would go directly toward paying musicians & covering the remaining administrative costs (yes, organizing a festival is a huge undertaking).

PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING WHATEVER YOU CAN: $10, $20, $40, $100, etc...

As composers born in Latin America - yet now living in the US - we are passionate about directing the resources and training that we received here in the US and investing it in Latin America.

The future is bright, and you can significantly contribute to making the world a better place by investing in the arts. Please donate to our music festival!

For more information, please visit: https://www.joshrodriguezmusic.com/festival

NOTE: If you are interested in attending and submitting music for performance, please use the contact form through the link above.