On the occasion of the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the creation of the Holguin musical band Vocal en Serio, its director, founder and tireless musician Miguel Morales Morales shared views with radioangulo.cu. Miguel, Why Vocal en serio?
“At first I thought of calling it Vocal Ensemble, until one day Jaime Johan, who stopped daily in front of the rehearsals at the Casa de Cultura, suggested that I name it Vocal en Serio. And that’s how it came about”.
It emerged as an amateur group, although you are a graduate of art academies. Who would you thank in those beginnings?
“First of all, I thank Holguín Hermanos Saíz Asociation (AHS) for their support in placing us in their programming, in projects and taking us to National Festivals. And from there to be professionals. Also to Fidel Troya García, who took us to the first culture gathering and to other spaces in the city. At the same time to Alexis Triana, because he always counted on us for cultural events. For his total support in every moment. For his receptions after successes in the capital, thank you”.
What projects are you currently working on?
“We are in the process of recording two albums one from a promotional one we did in 2014. That first album we re-recorded it with quality and in better conditions. It contains songs by Cuban and international authors”.
And when will it be finished?
“We are rehearsing and recording evry day, we want to finish it in August. We want to insert it in 2024 Cuba Disco. We will present it to the Bis Músic. At the same time we are working on a second album with songs written by members of the group. And we also intend to take it to CubaDisco 2025″.
You attended the Festival Les Voix Humaines (Human Voices), organized by the Office of Maestro Leo Brouwer, who expressed that “the power of the word is unappealable, indestructible and extraordinary”. What do you remember of that experience from a group that emerged in the province in front of international figures?
“Yes, it was a wonderful experience, a unique opportunity to be close to world figures, to exchange and show our art. We were there in 2015, in Havana”.
Why don’t you usually perform? What is the reason for not being in small-format spaces or events in the province?
“We ask ourselves why, I have been in music and culture for 25 years. And I remember that for all the events Alexis Triana, -Director of Culture in the province of Holguin for 14 years- met with the groups and they were chosen for the events. Something is missing, I don’t know what it is. And they ask us why we don’t present ourselves… What we have achieved the most has been in Artex spaces, and we are in a position to present ourselves”.
How many challenges have you taken on in 25 years?
“Many things from a city in eastern Cuba. However, we have maintained our fundamental principles of defending Cuban music”.
Has your group suffered from migratory flows?
“Yes, I have had musicians who have decided to migrate for personal reasons. Then I have had to go back to look for substitutes. To train them in the techniques and characteristics of Vocal en Serio; but, the most important thing is that the same demands and aesthetics have been maintained for 25 years”.
Although you have won awards, you have not had the opportunity to international tour. Why?
“Unfortunately it has not been possible. On two occasions we had proposals. But they did not materialize due to bureaucratic issues beyond our control”.
In which provinces have you performed?
“In Santiago de Cuba, Granma, Las Tunas, Guantánamo and Havana. We have been invited to festivals and events. We always gladly offer our art wherever we are called”.
The radio is a space for aesthetic education and promotion in Cuba and other nations. In our province there are spaces for music in all its radio stations and you have been invited to Radio Holguin and Radio Angulo. In any other country do they listen to you through the radio?
“In Peru; we have been interviewed by Radio Planicie, in a music program where Cuban and our music is played. There we have sent our musical works, with great acceptance in that country”.
With a look of hope and a longing to perform for his Holguin audience, Miguel Morales ended this pleasant dialogue. Vocal en Serio has composed songs for documentaries by filmmaker Lizette Vila, has been inspired by Faustino Oramas -El Guayabero-, and an endless number of themes encourage him to create from that gift of interpreting without musical instruments, only with the unique and exquisite sound of a cappella sound registers.
VIDEO by Vocal en Serio
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