This summer, the University of St. Thomas String Orchestra embarked on a performance tour of Cuba. The director, Matthew George, is a longtime partner with KI. Over decades of trips, UST’s ensembles have benefitted from seamless tour planning and logistics so they can focus on creating beautiful music. This tour of Cuba was no different, and it included one of the most inspiring moments of his travel performance career.
On Day 6 of their tour, the orchestra visited Matanzas for a workshop with the Camerata Jose White ensemble. As the Cuban ensemble performed their welcome pieces, the power went out across the entire island, plunging the room into darkness. What happened next was as improvisational as it was memorable: the UST students instinctively moved to the stage and encircled the musicians in light, allowing them to finish the pieces and creating one of the most hands-on cultural exchanges that KI Concerts is so proud to facilitate.
After the workshop, both ensembles performed a concert at Sala White, a 19th-century concert hall known for its exquisite acoustics. The finale was a moving collaborative performance of La Bella Cubana, written by José White, the namesake of the hall. It was a beautiful moment that summed up the reason why groups perform exchange concerts with local ensembles on performance tours; connection illuminates the music.
Watch a Spanish-language clip of the performance filmed by Cuba’s national TV station here:
Interested in touring Cuba — or any other premier destination — with your ensemble? Discuss orchestra tour options with one of our travel experts here!
