Hundreds of students from the Insular Center for Musical Education of Lanzarote (CIEM) performed one more year in the classic Christmas concerts that the training center celebrates every year, and which took place on December 20 and 21 at the Víctor Fernández Gopar Theater "El Salinero."
The educational center, which depends on the Culture area of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, directed by the councilor Alberto Aguiar, estimates that approximately "about 350 people performed those two days at the Theater", in concerts that, due to capacity restrictions, only family members of the students attended.
In the two days of performances there was everything: from Christmas carols to works by classical composers, passing through popular themes of pop and contemporary rock. Among the surprises, it is worth mentioning the performance of the Rancho de Pascua de Tinajo, special guests of the CIEM, who put the touch of tradition and Christmas folklore.
On Monday the 20th, the performances began with the Chamber Music students with Professor Maribel Diport, who performed pieces by Chopin, Thais de Massenet or Eriko Akimoto, among others. These were followed by the students of the first CIEM Band, directed by Professor Pablo Blanco, who performed themes such as the "Blue Danube Waltz", by Johan Strauss, or "Christmas a la Big Bang", with arrangements by Larry Cleck.
Later, the second CIEM Band, with Professor Salvador Santana at the direction, performed themes by Frank Erickson and Gustav Holst. The Modern Music for Beginners class, tutored by Professor Ivanoff Rodríguez, shone on stage with themes by Bruno Mars, the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Anne Marie. The same happened with the students of Advanced Modern Music, who played songs as well known as "Somewhere" or "Rock this Town", under the direction of Professor Miguel Calzadilla.
On Tuesday, December 21, it was the turn of the Beginners Band, who played the popular "Silent Night" and themes by James Pendleton. They were followed on stage by the Brass Band, which was in charge of playing themes by H. Kolasch and I. Gallego. Both groups did so under the direction of Professor Iván Curbelo.
The Guitar Orchestra performed "Can she excuse me" (Dowland), "Cavatina" (Williams) and "Swing low sweet chariot" (traditional).
Then it was the turn for the little ones. The students of Music and Movement (5 and 6 years old), under the direction of Professor Laura Hernández, performed "Un villancico quiero cantar", by Regla Santana and Jaime Quesada. They did so accompanied by the Parranda del CIEM, which was reinforced by external musicians.
Subsequently, the students of Initiation (7 years old) and 1st A (8 years old) did the same with another theme by the same authors, Santana and Quesada, entitled "Canta mi niño". In this case under the direction of Professor Juana Teresa Medina.
Finally, the students of Music and Movement and 1st grade, in this case of Professor Jennifer Rodríguez, and accompanied by the Rancho de Pascua de Tinajo, closed the two days of concerts. They said goodbye to the Christmas music meeting with popular themes of traditional Canarian music, among which "El niño que está en la cuna" stands out.
The Councilor for Culture of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Alberto Aguiar, wanted to convey his congratulations to all the participants and the staff of the CIEM. "They have all, students and teachers, made a great effort to be able to carry out the concerts, and they have also achieved it with a high quality in the performances. My most sincere congratulations", Aguiar assured.
