Bringing the Gift of a Harpsichord to El Santuario

I come from El Santuario, Antioquia, a small town in Colombia surrounded by breathtaking nature and inhabited by hard-working and art-loving people. At the heart of this town lies a music school, Roberto Pineda Duque, which has been a beacon of hope and inspiration for countless children and aspiring musicians, including myself. It's the place where I began my musical journey at the age of 9, learning to play the cello under the guidance of my cello teacher, Daniel Corrales, who now serves as the school's director. This music school has always had a noble mission – to provide free music education to anyone with a passion for learning, creating a community of music lovers and friends along the way. It's where my love for music blossomed and motivated me to pursue a music education first in Colombia and now in the United States.

For years the school has been missing a puzzle piece for its orchestra, which can transform students into creative learners and innovative thinkers. This magic piece is the harpsichord. At the school, students learn a repertoire that includes works by masters like Vivaldi and Bach and study music from the early Spanish settlements, which form the core of their curriculum. The harpsichord plays a pivotal role in providing clarity in pitches, rhythms, and flexibility in musical expressions. It deepens the students’ understanding of the Baroque style, enables them to explore improvisation, and encourages them to think critically and creatively. This instrument will also take their individual and ensemble skills to new heights, allowing the community's love for music to flourish.

Miraculously, an opportunity turned up – the Church of St. Luke in the Fields in New York City, which is known for its long history of music activities, offered to donate a harpsichord! My chamber music professor at Queens College, CUNY, Masayuki Maki, who is a harpsichord specialist, is volunteering to rebuild the instrument and bring it to El Santuario. Thanks to his visit to the school last summer, when he conducted a masterclass and performed a concert with the local students, he witnessed their incredible talent and dedication, as well as the lack of resources due to the school's public institution status. He recognized the immense potential in these young musicians but understood that to truly unlock their capabilities, they needed access to a harpsichord. With this unique opportunity of a donation, our wish is coming close to reality.

Now, we need your help!

Our goal is to raise $2000 to secure and transport this instrument to the school in Colombia. Every contribution, no matter how small, brings us one step closer to enhancing the lives of these aspiring musicians and the entire community.

Your support will not only provide musical enrichment but also empower these students to chase their dreams and inspire future generations of musicians in El Santuario. Together, we can make a profound impact on this wonderful community and keep the spirit of music alive.

Thank you for your consideration and support in making this dream a reality.

EDIT:

We managed to raise enough to take the harpsichord to Colombia. Now we are fixing some minors details on the instrument for it to be able to perform as new.

Thank you so much for everyone that helped us reach this goal.