Article courtesy of Nathaniel Whelan (Carleton International)
On July 11, 2024, Carleton University was honoured to welcome an esteemed delegation from the Embassy of Mexico, including His Excellency Ambassador Carlos Manuel Joaquín González, to mark 80 years of diplomatic relations between our two countries.
Other representatives included staff and faculty from Carleton and Global Affairs Canada.
During the ceremony, the School for Studies in Art and Culture was delighted to receive an edition of the complete works of Mexican composer José Pablo Moncayo, a generous gift donated to Carleton by the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura (INBAL).
Moncayo was a pivotal figure in the 20th century Mexican music scene, excelling as a percussionist, conductor, and composer. His works include compositions for chamber ensembles, solo piano, orchestra, and a cappella chorus.
Born in Guadalajara in 1912, he studied with renowned musicians of his time. In 1934, along with Daniel Ayala, Salvador Contreras, and Blas Galindo, he formed the Group of Four, whose aim was to rekindle the nationalist spirit in Mexican music.
His cultural impact was so significant that his death in 1958 is considered to mark the end of the nationalist school in Mexico.
Given Moncayo’s legacy, Carleton is incredibly fortunate to receive the commemorative edition of his complete works, prepared on the occasion of the centenary of his birth.
“We are grateful to the Mexican Embassy, and especially Ambassador Joaquín González, for making this generous donation. Moncayo’s works will be a great addition to Carleton’s collections of music and will enable students to study and perform these historically important and colourful compositions.”
– Dr. Mitchell Frank, Director, School for Studies in Art and Culture
Once the materials are catalogued, they will be available in MacOdrum Library’s general music collection.
This donation is a result of past engagements with the Mexican music community.
In February, a group of 18 Carleton students, all of them talented choral musicians, had the exciting opportunity to travel to Mexico. There, they discovered the country’s rich culture and performed in five public concerts, showcasing Canada’s choral repertoire for over 1,250 audience members.
Led by the Director of Choral Activities, Antonio Llaca-Buznego, they also participated in two choral masterclasses, engaged with universities and not-for-profit music organizations, and visited six cities.
During this intense schedule, Antonio made time to engage in bilateral discussions with Mexico’s national arts organizations, namely INBAL and the Centro Nacional de Artes (CENART).
“I am personally grateful for the warm welcome we received in Mexico City by these organizations as we discussed ways to collaborate in music and education.”
– Antonio Llaca-Buznego, Director of Choral Activities
As a direct result of these meetings, Carleton’s Music department has received proposals from two Mexican universities to advance student mobility and academic exchanges.
Following their return to Canada, the choir has continued to pursue areas of common interest. With support from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Carleton students donated to two Mexico not-for-profit organizations through a fundraising concert. These funds have gone to elementary public schools in Mexico to support their choral music programming.
Through our joint activities, we celebrate the universal language of music, which transcends borders.
As we continue to collaborate, Carleton aims to strengthen its ties with Mexico and promote an appreciation of diverse traditions, music history, and artistic expressions.