ACMP members Tom Cappaert (cello) and Art Malm (viola) embarked on a musical journey to Riobamba, Ecuador, in January 2022. Hailing from Illinois, USA, Tom, an orchestra teacher, and Art, a retired Civil Engineer, brought their passion for music with them on their trip.

During their visit, they joined forces with local cellist Devora Donaire, a high school senior in the Sinfonica Riobamba, and Karen Martinez, a university student working towards becoming an elementary school teacher. Notably, Devora and Karen joined ACMP, marking a significant milestone as our first members in Ecuador.

The highlight of Tom and Art’s visit was a public concert showcasing enchanting string arrangements of traditional Scottish folksongs, courtesy of ACMP member and composer Jan Knudsen. ACMP was thrilled to support this musical collaboration with a Just Play grant.

Tom and Art also carried a heartwarming gift for the Andante String Youth Ensemble in Riobamba – 17 instruments, including 15 violins and 2 cellos. Inspired by a recent ACMP article about the “flying cellist,” Tom devised a clever way to transport the cellos without the need for two extra plane seats. He separated the cellos at the neck and worked with a luthier in Riobamba to reassemble them. This daring endeavor paid off beautifully, ensuring that the instruments were ready for the young musicians to use.

Riobamba’s youth symphony is known for its unique fusion of cultures, including indigenous women of the Andes participating in choral performances, singing in their native Kichwa language alongside the orchestra. The program is overseen by Andres Mejia, who serves as the string teacher for the local Municipality, and Patricia Caiza Yungan, a community organizer who played a pivotal role in bringing the orchestra to life in the mountains of Riobamba, at a remarkable altitude of 11,000 feet above sea level.

Intercultural exchange through music lies close to the heart of ACMP’s mission. We invite and encourage you to consider traveling to Ecuador to join our new members there in making music together!

And for those of you looking for new repertoire outside the classical canon, please check out Jan Knudsen’s Scottish arrangements on Sheet Music Direct:

The Boatman

Highland Boat Song