Coros MECED-Chimalli
Instituto Tamaulipeco para la Cultura y las Artes

Young MECED–Chimalli choir members perform in concert with Liliana Matei, one of Mexico’s leading vocalists.

Photo: MECED-Chimalli Staff

Across the southeastern most part of the US-Mexico border is the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. In the capital, Ciudad Victoria, a partnership of two agencies brings music to children: the Instituto Tamaulipeco para la Cultura y las Artes (Tamaulipas Institute for Culture and the Arts), a statewide public agency of the Ministry of Education of Tamaulipas, and Sistema para el Desarrollo Integral de la Familia-Tamaulipas also known as DIF-Tamaulipas (System for Integrated Family Development-Tamaulipas), a state public agency that protects and supports families.

With technical assistance from the Sistema Nacional de Fomento Musical (National System for Musical Development) and the participation of local public cultural and municipal agencies, the Instituto has created 14 children's choirs, of 30-40 children each, in outlying communities. Music teachers from the local public schools are trained to conduct choirs in a repertoire of classical and contemporary music. Selected by audition for basic vocal ability, children rehearse three to five hours a week to prepare for performances at local festivals, anniversaries, and civic events. "Two months after the program started, the change in the children was remarkable. Disorganized children were quietly standing in line; unkempt children came well groomed. Their conversation focused on such issues as whether the sopranos should enter the stage before the mezzos! It brought tears to my eyes," remarks Medardo Treviño, director of cultural development, Instituto Tamaulipeco.

Children who have a special interest and ability in music can participate on scholarship in a three-year, month-long, summer residential program at El Conservatorio de las Rosas (The Las Rosas Conservatory) in Morelia, Michoacan. Here, youth from throughout Mexico spend six to eight hours a day studying voice, piano, and the history of music. This experience gives them the skills to continue in music beyond the program. Currently, 19 children from the 14 choirs attend the Conservatory, perform with some of Mexico's most-well-known professional artists, and participate in national and international festivals.

The partnership with DIF-Tamaulipas makes these musical experiences possible. Through its program, Menores en Circunstancias Especialmente Dificiles-MECED (Children in Especially Difficult Circumstances), children in the choirs and their families receive general financial and food support, plus health care. This assistance allows the children to go to school and participate in the choirs and Conservatory, instead of working to supplement their family's income. With these opportunities, the children's visions of themselves and their futures change. And so do their parents'. "The families are so proud to see their children on stage performing," relates Fernando Mier y Teran, executive director, Instituto Tamaulipeco. "It gives them a sense of hope, of possibility."