Nothing ever happens unless somebody makes it happen, and with this brief article I wish to honor Rosemary and John Keeling, two very generous and hard-working people who have been instrumental in the success of the organization Viva la Música, which for many years brought excellent musical concerts to Ajijic and supported many young Mexican music students with scholarships to help in their education.
I speak in the past tense because the Keelings are retiring from Viva and with their absence the organization will cease to exist (unless someone is inspired to take over this worthy effort). I am writing this a day before the March 28 concert to be given in their honor in the magnificent Haus de Musik concert hall at the home of Hans Peter Aull and his wife Gabriella.
Rosemary Keeling was born in northern England, in Huddersfield, Yorkshire, and became interested in classical music from her early childhood. She met John in Toronto and after pursuing busy professional careers they moved to Ajijic to retire in the 1990s. Here they joined the group Opera Buffs with whom they took many trips to Guadalajara to attend operas. In 2002, the group changed its name and purpose and became Viva la Música. In 2008, Rosemary took on the leadership role, becoming president. It was a good fit, says Rosemary. “I love the art of the possible and I’ve spent my whole life solving problems. One of the things I’m most pleased about is the great variety of concerts we were able to present, including concerts of chamber music with local musicians.”
She is also proud of the many scholarships given to deserving young musicians, notably members of the well-known Medeles family, Emanuel and Areli, who are teachers at CREM, the Centro Regional de Educación Musical (Regional Center of Musical Education).
Says Areli, cellist of the up-and coming Janus String Quartet: “I am very grateful not only for the individual support, but because of the long-term effects to future generations of musicians. At CREM we teach many young children, so the influence of Viva goes beyond us.”
Daniel Estrada, a former teacher at CREM and current teacher at Esperanza Azteca (and former student of mine) is another scholarship winner.
“I am very grateful for the support, which I used for basic living expenses while I was finishing my studies at the University of Guadalajara,” he says. “Without this help I simply would not have been able to graduate.”
Another grateful scholarship recipient is Guadalajara-born tenor Manuel Castillo, who has completed his doctoral studies in vocal performance at the University of Kentucky and performs regularly in productions of Kentucky Opera and at many other venues. He also founded the Annual International Opera Workshop in Guadalajara, which this summer has 26 students. “It has been because of the generosity of friends and associations like Viva that I have been able to survive,” Castillo says. “I am thankful for all that I have received and it goes beyond the meaning money can give. I have been enabled to touch many lives and I hope to be able to continue doing so. My deepest thanks to all those who have the vision of helping people for the love of doing so.”
Rosemary and John and the other members of Viva have made this happen. So many young musicians have been able to continue their studies because of them. I personally am also grateful for the invitations to perform in Ajijic and the thoughtful and professional treatment that I and my fellow musicians received from them. Thank you to Viva la Música and especially to Rosemary and John Keeling for making this all happen. I will never forget you.
Dr. Charles Nath has been a part of the musical world of Guadalajara since 1988, with 26 years as principal clarinetist of the Jalisco Philharmonic as well as many chamber music presentations. He also wrote a column on music for the Informador newspaper and made numerous music appreciation presentations on radio and television.