The first group of students from the first Cuban course on Mexican traditional music graduated in the eastern province of Granma province as Mariachi musicians.

During their debut, the 120 young students from 12 of the provinces 13 municipalities, interpreted, in unison, pieces from the national music repertoire adapted to Mexican rhythms.

For their performance, they were accompanied by the emblematic "Tierra Brava" band, whose instrumentalists and singers were professors for the two-year course.

Luis Rey Palmero, known as "El Charro Negro" "one of the most well-known Cuban vocalists of this genre" thanked the local authorities for carrying out the project, which made it possible for each of the provinces municipalities to have a mariachi group.

The students from this first course graduated as elementary level musicians and will now continue their studies until February, when they will receive the artistic evaluation they need to practice their profession in their respective localities.

Initially, the graduates have a 26-song repertoire, composed of pieces from music genres such as rancheras and guapangos or Mexican folk songs, boleros, and son rhythms, in arrangements by Carlos Puig Premion, creator of the program.

During their presentation to the public, the director of the school of mariachi musicians, Carlos Chacon, highlighted the significance of this new training, given the strong popular support Mexican traditional music has in the province of Granma. He said it will create employment and contribute to the regions cultural development.

(www.granma.co.cu)