Dear Friends of New Docta,
Welcome to the VII New Docta International Music Festival! As co-executive directors, we are delighted to present this year’s festival in Buenos Aires and Córdoba from August 27th to September 5th. With a full slate of world-class performances, educational concerts, master classes, workshops, and community events in partnership with hospitals, sports clubs, cultural organizations, and universities, the 2019 edition is sure to be the best one yet. New Docta’s internationally acclaimed artists fuel the festival’s mission to use live music to break down barriers, build bridges, and bring people of all ages and backgrounds together. This year’s special guest artists include Sandeep Das, Indian composer and classical tabla virtuoso, and Vasko Dukovski, composer and clarinetist extraordinaire originally from Macedonia. Together with the New Docta Artists, these inspiring musicians will mesmerize and transport our audiences to different corners of the world in two not-to-be-missed concerts in Buenos Aires and Córdoba. In commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the birth of Komitas, the iconic composer and father of modern Armenian music, the New Docta artists will also partner with the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) in what will be a heartwarming concert at the Kirchner Cultural Center in Buenos Aires. As a recipient of the first-ever New Docta Fellowship, the pianist Audrey Vardanega will also participate in all New Docta activities. A graduate of Columbia University and Mannes School of Music as well as an accomplished international performer, the young California native looks forward to her first trip to Argentina to absorb the inner workings of the festival with a view to recreating similar efforts in her developing career. New Docta is eager to continue its “Schools to the Theater!” program, which partners with the Ministries of Education in Córdoba and Buenos Aires to bring thousands of children ages 5-8 to the concert hall for a specially designed interactive performance that makes learning about music fun. Hearing the children laugh and scream with joy is one of our greatest pleasures! We also return to check in with our budding musician friends at Orquesta Violeta Parra and La Orquesta-Escuela Mediterranea and provide 30 hours of workshops and master classes for aspiring talents in coordination with the National and Provincial Universities and Conservatories, as well as music institutes. Realizing that not everyone can come to the concert hall to take in the joys of live music, New Docta is keen to further develop its community engagement in Córdoba and expand it in Buenos Aires. The festival continues its wildly popular “Music and Sports” series in collaboration with the youth academies of some of the most beloved professional sports clubs of Argentina. These boisterous and festive events feature live, interactive performances that spotlight the discipline, teamwork, and creativity needed to succeed in both disciplines. The New Docta Artists also return to the Garrahan Hospital in Buenos Aires and the Children’s Hospital of the Holy Trinity in Córdoba, where we hope our music can soothe the pains and brighten the days of those brave children in need of love, care, and hope. We cannot thank you enough for your interest in New Docta. We know that many of you come from all across Argentina, South America, and the U.S. to enjoy the abundance of activities that our festival provides, all free of charge and open to anyone with open eyes, ears, and heart. We look forward to seeing friends, both old and new, and, as always, helping you DISCOVER THE MUSICIAN IN YOU! Musically yours, Sami, Solange, and Yves |