To the Rhythm of a Symphonic Merengue the Free Schools of the Ministry of Culture Welcome the New Year

Santo Domingo, January 16, 2019 – The Regional Band of the Free Schools of Santo Domingo, sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, recently ushered in the new year by offering a concert of Dominican folklore music directed by Alejandro Taveras, a promising orchestra director who is only 17 years old.
The concert was part of the conference titled “The Origins of the Merengue” presented by Fernando Gil and sponsored by the Dominican Electricity Corporation (CDEEE), as well as other local institutions such as the Centro Cultural Banreservas, Indarte, Funanart, “Camino Real” and the Dominican Association of Students from the University of Puerto Rico.
The packed auditorium danced and sang along to the tune of some of the most popular Dominican Merengues performed by the Band.

During his keynote speech, Fernando Gil highlighted some of the most important aspects of the origins of the Merengue, both in Santo Domingo and the rest of the Caribbean. He also provided important information on the history of Dominican music, mentioning the names of the most important composers and interpreters of the Merengue.

Angel Mejía, Director of the National System of Free Schools and the spokesperson for the Organizing Committee, delivered the opening remarks to the event. In his remarks, he highlighted the efforts carried out by the Committee to provide the audience with a taste of Dominican and Caribbean cultures.

The Ministry of Culture, aside from sponsoring the Regional Band of the Free Schools of Santo Domingo, through the National System of Free Schools and co-sponsored by the Swiss foundation Muik übers Meer, also sponsors another regional band in the country’s central region. Currently, the bands feature 80 young musicians who perform in various provinces, local neighborhoods and municipalities in the country.