The Ministry of Culture (MiCultura) held with great success the close concert of the 2024 National Meeting of the Network of Orchestra and Youth Choirs of Panama at the steps of the City of the Arts.

The event, held on September 21, offered an unforgettable afternoon of music by more than 220 young talents, under the direction of well-known national and international directors. The show was completely free and open to the public.

The Network of Orchestra and Youth Cores of Panama, run by leading teacher Electra Isabel Castillo with more than 30 years of experience, has transformed the lives of thousands of young people through music, providing opportunities for artistic training at national level.

On this occasion, the concert was attended by three guest directors:

• Joshua Dos Santos, associate director of the Simón Bolívar Chamber Orchestra.
• Shimas Rodriguez, director of the Republican Band of Panama.
• José Berdiales, professor of tuba and euphonion at the National Institute of Music.
  Also, they were as guests, members of the @ JovenOrquestaNacionalesEspana.

The participating delegations included young musicians from Aguadulce, Chiriquí, Azuero, Santiago, Bocas del Toro, Pacora, San Miguelito, Panama Centro, Penonomé and Colón. The talent of these artists, with the support of 25 teachers, offered a masterful presentation that delight the attendees.

The musical program included a selection of internationally renowned pieces that covered different genres and styles. Some of the compositions performed were:

• Captain America, by Alan Silvestri (Arr. Eslaw Castes)
• The Sardar Procession of Ippolitov's "Caucasian Sketches" Suite (Arr. Dale W. Eymann)
• Imperial March - The theme of Darth Vader by John Williams (Arr. Paul Murtha)
• The Murga of Panama by Willie Colón & Héctor Lavoe (Arr. espley Castillo Funes)
• Sing, Sing, Sing with Swing! by Louis Prima (Arr. Hans Loreto Nicholls)

That concert did not only close a successful musical convivium but also emphasized the importance of continuing to strengthen the arts in Panama as a key tool for the cultural and social development of youth. MiCultura reaffirms its commitment to continue to promote youth talent through projects such as this, contributing to the comprehensive training of future generations of artists.