International harmony

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Imagine playing a piece by Mozart or even one composed by you and your friends. Maybe you sing it or play it on the piano. It could be in a university lecture hall or at the Palau de la Música – or at the Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas or the Santa Catalina Church. Maybe it’s in front of an audience who are rooting for you anyway… or before one stacked with connoisseurs of the music world.

Marta Salcedo, a soprano in CEU Orfeón, studies Audiovisual Communication
Marta Salcedo, a soprano in CEU Orfeón, studies Audiovisual Communication

All this and more is possible if you’re in the CEU Orfeón (the Choir) or the Camerata (Chamber Orchestra): as well as providing you with an unbeatable musical education, it’ll also be a truly unique experience: you’ll be rehearsing and performing alongside students from all degrees and countries.

Yu Yuan Fuh, who plays the piano and the clarinet in the Camerata, is a 4th year Dentistry student. At the piano, Clara Mercadal
Yu Yuan Fuh, who plays the piano and the clarinet in the Camerata, is a 4th year Dentistry student. At the piano, Clara Mercadal

Marta Salcedo and Dennis (Yu Yuan Fuh) know this very well. Marta is a third-year Audiovisual Communication undergraduate and, for the last three years, she’s been a member of the Orfeón, in which she is a soprano. Dennis is a fourth-year Dentistry student and has been in the Camerata for three years too, playing the clarinet and the piano. They’re both very pleased with their decision to embark on their musical journeys.

‘I’M VERY PROUD TO REPRESENT MY UNIVERSITY IN THE ORFEÓN; IT’S A SOURCE OF GREAT SATISFACTION AND ENJOYMENT’

Marta, who sings because she loves singing and because she finds it relaxing, had always wanted to be in a choir. “It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The Orfeón has been great for me both socially and in the way that it takes my mind off my day-to-day worries. I’m very proud to represent the University; it gives me great satisfaction, enjoyment and happiness,” the prospective media professional told us.

Dennis feels much the same way. “I’ve always wanted to play music with other people. A friend said I should join the CEU chamber orchestra and I’m very happy I did.” This student from Taiwan felt nervous in the beginning because “my Spanish wasn’t good enough to communicate properly, but the people in the choir and chamber orchestra are very welcoming and helpful. I’ve made a lot of friends here.” Dennis feels lucky to have had the opportunity to play at unique venues, such as the Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas, which he describes as “an unforgettable experience”.

‘I’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO PLAY MUSIC WITH OTHER PEOPLE. I’M VERY HAPPY I JOINED THE CAMERATA’

Mingling with students from many different countries is another of the attractions of being part of the CEU Orfeón and Camerata.

“Meeting people from other countries has been really enriching for me, culturally speaking, and it’s also interesting to learn about degrees other than my own,” Marta said. “I definitely do feel more of a part of university life by being in the Orfeón. I’ve made new friends, both from Spain and abroad, and that’s broadened my mind and made me think about going abroad in the future, either for further study or for work.”

For Dennis, joining the Camerata has been a milestone in his integration into university life. “I hadn’t had the opportunity to meet people from other degrees and countries until I joined the chamber orchestra, and it’s also given me the chance to practise my Spanish,” he said.

Dennis feels part of the university community thanks to the Camerata / with Cristina and Pilar Ortín, clarinet and flute players.
Dennis feels part of the university community thanks to the Camerata / with Cristina and Pilar Ortín, clarinet and flute players.

In the future, this dentist-in-the-making would love to attend more musical events and meet more people who like to play music and sing. He urges other students to join the Orfeón and Camerata so that they can play and enjoy music together.

Marta is sure too that the experience has added to her education: “Singing in the Orfeón has taught me about taking on commitments, working as part of a team and getting organized so that I can be in the right place at the right time for the rehearsals and performances.”

THE ORFEÓN AND THE CAMERATA ARE TWO FIRST-CLASS OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO SHARE IN THEIR PASSION FOR CLASSICAL MUSIC WITH OTHER STUDENTS FROM A RANGE OF COUNTRIES

Having begun more than thirty years ago, and now coordinated by César Blecua and with the maestro José Manuel Palau as conductor, the CEU Orfeón and Camerata are two first -class opportunities for students to share in their passion for classical music with other students from a range of different countries.

Many students already know this – and not only the Spanish ones. Participants include students from France, Peru, Russia, Taiwan, the USA, Germany, Jordan, Italy, the UK, Morocco and even the Faroe Islands!

See the other CEU initiatives to enable students to express themselves.

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