Colombian teacher revives accordion music
Over a month ago we reported on the arrival of a music teacher from Colombia who hoped to interest some Belizean youths in taking up an instrument that once echoed through Belize’s history. Tonight, News 5’s Jacqueline Woods reports that he has succeeded.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
The accordion was invented in Germany and eventually made its way across the globe. By the mid 1800’s, the music was adapted by the mahogany camp workers and integrated into the Belize Kriol culture.
In the early seventies, the accordion was the main instrument played in the Los Melodios and Mister Peter’s Boom and Chime bands. Today, the instrument is rarely found in any local bands, and not much has been done to promote the music…that is until now.
Two years ago, The House of Culture established a working relationship between Belize and Colombia. That association has led to a programme that promises to revive accordion music and help it to once again become an integral part of our culture.
Jason Guerrero, Music Director, House of Culture
“There was a time in Belize when most parties would have accordion players providing entertainment throughout the 1800s up to the mid 1900s. We’ve been slowly losing this and we feel that it’s part of our cultural tapestry, and we want to try and reclaim this.”
Presently in the country is Colombian accordion teacher, Antonio Salas. For the past six weeks Salas has been teaching children how to play the instrument.
Brothers Jose and Juan Collado are just two of the seven children who have learnt how to play a couple of Colombian songs on the accordion. Both young men, who are the sons of Pablo Collado, the famous Belizean flutist, say even though their father inspired them to become interested in music, the accordion lessons have been rewarding.
Jose Collado, 15 years old
“Well the sound of the accordion and how you make music by using the wind and air.”
Juan Collado, 17 years old
“I see the accordion music as something nice to this country, to learn different cultures and different types of music, like we’re learning Colombian music. To me it has been a very nice experience and I would really like to know more about this music and practice more so that maybe in the future we can become accordion players in Belize.”
Jacqueline Woods
“Now, that these children have taken the lessons and they seem to have done pretty well, how do you all plan to use them in whatever future programmes the House of Culture will be having?”
Jason Guerrero
“Well the children in this particular programme are based in Benque and Benque has been a very progressive community when it comes to development of the arts and keeping their culture. So it’s up to the House of Culture in Benque to spearhead what will take place there. We here in Belize City are prepared to support them in any way possible.”
Jacqueline Woods reporting for News 5.
Guerrero says in September Mister Peters Boom and Chime band and an accordion player from Colombia will host a concert as part of the celebrations.
