CUBA-USA/CONCERT US children's choir aims to break down barriers with Cuba concert

Record ID: 151180

  • Title: CUBA-USA/CONCERT US children's choir aims to break down barriers with Cuba concert
  • Date: 16th June 2015
  • Summary: ****WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** VARIOUS OF YOUNG MEN'S ENSEMBLE PERFORMING WITH KRONAUER COMPOSING
  • Embargoed: 1st July 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Cuba
  • Country: Cuba
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA91PCE63XM580GPTONLSFJ2KVB
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: A Los Angeles children's chorus is seeking to help ease old Cold War tensions between Cuba and the United States with an 11-day tour of the island nation amidst a historic detente.
    Under the direction of acclaimed Steven Kronaur, the Young Men's Ensemble (YME) will be teaming up with local Cuban choir Cantoria Coralillo for a choir workshop before they take to the stage for a series of concerts.
    German-trained Kronaur spoke to Reuters about the chances offered by the joint performances.
    "I think music is something that bonds everyone, and the glory of the opportunity to share with music with other choirs from Cuba, and to share through the hearts and soul of music, and learning about the Cuban music for us, and perhaps (for them) learning about the American music we've brought as well, it's a wonderful opportunity to be together," he said.
    This trip marks the first time the chorus group has toured a Caribbean country in its nearly 30-year history. The landmark concert will take place at Havana's historic Casa de las Americas.
    As Cuba and the United States continue their path towards the normalisation of ties begun on December 17 of last year, choir member Henry Brooks told Reuters the timing of the performances could not be better.
    "I absolutely think our visit to Cuba is very representative of what's happening right now in terms of politics between the United States and Cuba. We've had fifty some years of separation and I think that's coming to a close. And one of the ways that we're closing it is through music, and so I am excited to be part of that beginning of this new brotherhood," said Brooks.
    The Young Men's Ensemble will perform their string of concerts in Cuba until June 21.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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