The Art of Music in Cuba

Known worldwide for its innovative teaching methods, its achievements in sports, and its outstanding physicians, Cuba also is conspicuous for its culture and especially for its music. Cuban music reaches everywhere on the planet and is the public's choice in places far removed from this small Caribbean nation.

This distinction dates back many years and is the result of both demanding academic preparation and the natural talent of musicians, some of whom never had access to a specialized school for lack of the necessary resources. However, by dint of perseverance this latter group reached leading positions and worldwide importance, such as was the case with singer Benny Moré and Dámaso Pérez, a.k.a. "King of Mambo", among others.

This aptitude of many Cubans for musical performance or composition was enhanced when, in the 1960s, the revolutionary government decided to create a national system of art schools.

The idea was to establish a multidisciplinary centre that would have four disciplines: Ballet, Music, Drama and Visual Arts, and in 1965, it was completed with the teaching of Modern and Folk Dancing.

Before the establishment of these teaching centres - known by the Spanish acronym ENA (National Art School) - the most prestigious musical education centre in Cuba was the Havana Municipal Conservatory, created in 1909. It had a distinguished faculty as well as students who later became teachers...