The singers in the Jalisco State Choir (Coro del Estado de Jalisco) have been riding a seesaw since early this year, but nobody is having much fun.
The choir, founded in 1982 as an operatic, symphonic choir of 76 singers, suffered reductions over the years, but some say that since the start of the term of the current state secretary of culture, Luis Gerardo Ascencio, and key functionary Allen Vladimir Gomez, things have become worse. On May 22, we reported dismal developments such as arbitrary contract cancellations and sham auditions (“Jalisco choir fights another round of purges”).
Since then, however, a delegation of the choir’s singers sought assistance from a little-known artistic support group within the state government, the State Council for Culture and the Arts (CECA), and its president Jose Luis Esquivel, who helped improve their lot.
“Maestro Esquivel very kindly received us in his office … to talk about the themes of auditions,” contracts not renewed, and the lack of raises and benefits, explained soprano Lupita Blanco.
Please login or subscribe to view the complete article.