With a positive outcome, Nathalia Jordán Vidal and David Sebastián Ascuntar, guided by Maestro Miguel Ángel Caballero and the Academic Committee of the Department of Music, participated in this event that took place from November 7th to 10th, bringing together young conductors from Boyacá, Cundinamarca, Tolima, Cauca, and Nariño.

Students of the Band Conducting program at the University of Cauca, Nathalia Jordán Vidal and David Sebastián Ascuntar, were selected as active participants for the International Workshop - Competition, organized by Maestro Marcelo Conca and the Departmental Band of Quindío.

From November 7th to 10th, 2023, working sessions and rehearsals were held with various participants, including active students and musicians from the Departmental Band of Quindío. The event showcased the talent of young conductors from different regions and departments of Colombia, such as Boyacá, Cundinamarca, Tolima, Cauca, and Nariño.

The University of Cauca students, Nathalia Jordán Vidal, currently in her tenth semester, and David Sebastián Ascuntar, approaching his graduation recital while pursuing a degree in Music Education, showcased their dedication and professionalism as conductors before one of Colombia's top band ensembles. They conducted symphonic direction and arrangement work with the selected repertoire for this event.

The concert, held at the Hall of Banco de la República in the city of Armenia, concluded with great surprises and high expectations, awarding the first place to student David Sebastián Ascuntar as the best conductor.

The students, guided by Maestro Miguel Ángel Caballero and the Academic Committee of the Department of Music, are characterized by possessing the necessary tools to implement their aesthetic vision of music with any symphonic ensemble. Not only as conductors but also as cultural facilitators and well-rounded individuals capable of contributing socially and artistically to the community and culture.

Student Reviews:

David Sebastián Ascuntar Chingal

He was born at the foot of the Galeras Volcano in San Juan de Pasto-Nariño. From a very young age, he developed musical abilities thanks to his father and various musical institutions, where he began his training as a pianist and clarinetist. He participated as a clarinetist and bass clarinetist in different regional and departmental competitions with the Youth Symphonic Band of the music education schools network in the municipality of Pasto, winning first place in the Youth Band category in competitions held in Samaniego Nariño, Paipa-Boyacá, Anapoima-Cundinamarca. He began his undergraduate studies at the University of Cauca, pursuing degrees in Band Conducting guided by Maestro Miguel Ángel Caballero and Music Education. He was also selected in different international clarinet competitions as an active participant in Femusc Brazil and the Clarinet Festival at UNAM University in Mexico.

He has directed various professional ensembles such as the Special Symphonic Band of the Pasto Schools Network, Symphonic Orchestra of the Pasto Schools Network, Symphonic Band of the University of Cauca, "Bicentennial" Symphonic Orchestra of the University of Cauca, and the Departmental Symphonic Band of Valle. He is currently completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Cauca and preparing for his graduation recital.

Natalia Jordán Vidal

A student of Band Conducting at the University of Cauca, she began her musical career in the municipal band of Piendamó as a cellist, participating in several national competitions such as La Vega, Anapoima, and Tocancipá. She conducted the Kenositos choir in the municipality of Piendamó from 2016 to 2018.

She is currently in her tenth semester, and her training as a conductor is being guided by Maestro Miguel Ángel Caballero. She participated with Maestro Miguel Ángel Casas in the IYII Symphonic Conducting Workshop at the University of Cauca, the II National Workshop of Band Conducting of the Departmental Band of Valle, guided by Maestro Rubén Darío Gómez Prada, and the Eighth National Workshop of Orchestral Conducting. She was awarded second place in the First Orchestral Conducting Competition at the University of Cauca.