Contribution to consolidation of Andean choral movement

With the objective of deepening its high-quality cultural effort in benefit of its member countries, the CAF executive president, Enrique García, today signed an agreement with the International Federation for Choral Music (IFCM), the Schola Cantorum Foundation of Caracas (FSCC) and the Cantemos Choral Movement Foundation (FMCC) to create the Andean Youth Choir, Niños Cantores de los Andes and the Los Andes Cantan Choral Festival.

The document was also signed by José Antonio Abreu, academic tutor of the CAF Youth and Children's Music Plan; Jean Claude Wilkens, FIMC secretary general; Julio Felce, FMCC president; Alberto Grau, FSCC president, and María Guinand, Latin American vice-president of the International Federation for Choral Music.

"This very laudable initiative, whose objectives include consolidating the choral movement in the Andean countries, is part of the platform which the CAF is supporting to promote culture as an instrument for development of the region and as a tool for strengthening the values that determine civic consciousness," García said.

With the agreement signed today, the CAF becomes the promoter of the project, under its Andean Youth and Children's Music Plan, in institutional association with the other signatory institutions.

For its part, the FIMC, through the Schola Cantorum, will provide technical assistance for selection of the choir members, preparation of their artistic program and selection of the directors, under the guidelines of the World Youth Choir and the UNESCO Ambassadors for Peace. The FIMC will also publicize the activities of the Andean Youth Choir and Niños Cantores de los Andes around the world.

The Cantemos Choral Movement Foundation (FMCC), given its link with the America Cantat Festival, will offer technical assistance for the organization and celebration of Los Andes Cantan choral festival.