By Diego Ramirez Carreño

Barra de Copalita is a village located in the south of Oaxaca, next to the paradise-like bays of Huatulco. Since its founding about 50 years ago, there has been a fondness for wind music. Several generations have passed in which an attempt has been made to form a town band, but for various reasons, it has not been achieved.

For several years, Maestro Fortino Martínez Jarquín has been teaching music, initially at the Emiliano Zapata primary school, resulting in the first band that Copalita had. Due to personal circumstances, each of the young musicians in this band took different paths; to study high school and university, they had to migrate to various cities within the state and the country.

About six years ago, the maestro, along with some parents from that first band, resumed the project by teaching classes in the courtyard of the health clinic located in the center of the community. It is worth mentioning that this second phase took place, as it is usually called, “for the love of art,” since the maestro only had intermittent financial support from the parents, who have worked with local municipal and state authorities.

This year the project organizers approached José Luis Bohórquez López, the representative of the community for the 2024-2025 administration, who provided support by improving the facilities, as they were not in very good condition; there was no roof, no bathrooms, nor proper electrical installations. The remodeling included complete maintenance of the health clinic, as well as the construction of a perimeter wall, improvements to the lighting to define the area and provide greater security, and the construction of two bathrooms for the music school and the hall where classes are held.

The project resumed this fall, with 23 children participating. At the music school, the children learn to play various wind instruments, such as soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, alto and bass clarinet, trumpet, and tuba. They also learn solfège (training to read and sing musical notation and scores).

Maestro Fortino teaches from Tuesday to Friday from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM for solfège (for all children) and from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM for instrumentation, working with children who are already playing melodies with their instruments.

The project aims to shape individuals with values who appreciate and participate in our traditions. Despite being a relatively new village, Copalita has been finding and strengthening its identity, and we believe that having a musical band will be fundamental to preserving it over the years.

Music is very important to Copalita; it is part of our traditions and accompanies us at all times, from the happiest occasions, such as the town festivities on the fifth Friday of Lent and December 18, celebrating the Virgin of Solitude, to birthdays, weddings, and baptisms.

It also supports us during difficult moments, such as the loss of a loved one. We know that all forms of art connect us to our most human side, and what we want to achieve in our community is to strengthen and improve interpersonal relationships, thus helping to build a better community. We will continue with our children until we achieve what has long been desired: the music band of Barra de Copalita.