Oaxacan Music Maestros Converge at UC Riverside for Groundbreaking Encounter

The vibrant musical heritage of Oaxaca, Mexico, is set to take center stage at the University of California, Riverside, as the campus hosts a dynamic two-day event showcasing the region's rich cultural tapestry. Bringing together an impressive array of music directors, composers, educators, and students from across the United States, this extraordinary gathering promises to captivate audiences with a harmonious blend of traditional and contemporary Oaxacan melodies.

Uniting Oaxacan Roots and Branches through Transformative Musical Experiences

Celebrating Oaxacan Musical Traditions and Fostering Intergenerational Connections

The "Encuentro de Música Oaxaqueña en UCR: Raíces y Ramas" (Oaxacan Music Encounter at UCR: Roots and Branches) event is a testament to the university's commitment to showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Latin America. Organized by Xóchitl C. Chávez, associate professor of music at UCR, this gathering aims to create a pipeline for Oaxaqueños and other ethnic groups to feel welcomed and empowered to join the university's Department of Music.The event will feature a diverse array of participants, including musicians from Indigenous Oaxacan communities such as Mixtec, Zapotec, and Mixe/Ayüük. This intergenerational gathering will provide a platform for female composers and directors to share their unique perspectives and contributions to the Oaxacan musical landscape. By highlighting the transnational migration of Indigenous Mexicans and the evolution of Oaxacan music-making practices within different diasporic communities, the event promises to offer a multifaceted exploration of the region's cultural richness.

Immersive Musical Experiences and Collaborative Recordings

The two-day conference will be a veritable feast for the senses, with a lineup of captivating events that cater to music enthusiasts of all ages. Attendees can look forward to panel discussions, music workshops, and a grand performance and dance at the conclusion of the second day. The highlight of the event will be the innovative community-oriented recording session for Oaxacan composers, supported by UCR's Experimental Acoustics Research Studio (EARS).One of the standout performances will feature funeral marches arranged by Jorge Martínez Jiménez and conducted by Leslie García Parada, the first female director of the youth philharmonic band Descendencia Oaxaqueña in Greensboro, North Carolina. This music holds special significance, as the event coincides with the Day of the Dead, a cherished cultural tradition in Latin America that honors the deceased with music, food, and celebration.

Empowering the Next Generation of Oaxacan Musicians

The event's mission extends beyond the stage, as it aims to provide valuable resources and support for the next generation of Oaxacan musicians. The conference will feature bilingual college information sessions for parents, ensuring that the Oaxacan community is well-informed about the educational opportunities available at UCR.Chávez's vision for the event is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for Oaxaqueños and other ethnic groups, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment within the university's music department. The inaugural Oaxacan Philharmonic Bands Audition, held in 2018, was a testament to this goal, with four orchestras comprising more than 140 multigenerational musicians.

Preserving and Reimagining Oaxacan Musical Traditions

As a cultural anthropologist and applied ethnomusicologist, Chávez's research has delved into the transnational migration of Indigenous Mexicans, with a particular focus on the music and cultural migration of Oaxacans into the United States. Her recent fieldwork in Oaxaca and Mexico City has provided invaluable insights into the experiences of Indigenous female musicians, further enriching the event's exploration of the intergenerational and diasporic aspects of Oaxacan music-making.The "Encuentro de Música Oaxaqueña en UCR: Raíces y Ramas" event is a testament to the university's commitment to celebrating the diverse cultural tapestry of Latin America. By bringing together musicians, scholars, and community members from across the country, this groundbreaking encounter promises to illuminate the enduring legacy of Oaxacan musical traditions while fostering new avenues for artistic expression and cultural exchange.