Guanajuato, Gto., August 11, 2016.- The Symphonic Orchestra of the University of Guanajuato (OSUG) is the only orchestra belonging to an educative institution of this country that offers concerts to the Centers of Social Rehabilitation (Ceresos for its acronym in Spanish).

A proof of such, is the concert that OSUG made in the Cereso 1000 of Valle de Santiago, place where the musicians arrived accompanied by their instruments to break the monotonous life of the inmates and offer them a space for reflection and amusement.

Is music the only tool for social reinsertion? Are artistic expressions the fundamental elements for an emotional health and even spiritual? These are the questioning made in the University of Guanajuato to begin such event.

After an exhaustive planning and coordination with university and state authorities, the public composed by women and men, enjoyed a morning full of joyful and enthusiastic tones.

Under the baton of their head director, M.A. Roberto Beltrán Zavala, OSUG interpreted a diverse programme, thought specifically for this concert. At first, the musicians played the "Danzón No. 2" of the composer Arturo Márquez, a play full of beauty and rhythm the immediately captures the listeners.

Afterwards they interpreted a piece of great gentleness and kindness, "Intermezzo de la Ópera Atzimba" of the Mexican composer Ricardo Castro. Continued with the last movement of the "Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64" of Tchaikovsky.

To finalize, they played an emblematic play for Mexico, the "Huapango" of José Pablo Moncayo, music that exceedingly cheered the inmates to the point of an standing ovation, expressing their enthusiasm and gratefulness for the excellent interpretation of the Orchestra and the interaction of the head director that explained step by step this musical journey.

In an interview, M.A. Roberto Beltrán Zavala commented that "naturally a public in freedom is not the same as one in a social reinsertion process –that is evident—but I can imagine that, in that harsh and difficult context, the moment of music we offered, can be a space in their minds to generate pleasure, reflections, emotions, relaxation and enthusiasm."

Likewise, he commented that in this type of concerts in which the social function of art is present "by these actions, we realize why it is important to address as much as we can the vulnerable sectors of our society or sectors where access to culture is difficult."

There is the possibility, that some inmates and workers from the center of social rehabilitation have heard or seen for the first time how a symphonic orchestra works, hence, this small act can translate into a significant fact for the audience at the Cereso 1000 of Valle de Santiago.

In that sense, the head director of OSUG, distinguished "let us not forget that the Ceresos are not punishment centers, but are spaces where the individual enters a process of social rehabilitation, and a fundamental factor to be part of the society is to have a sense of dignity and a minimum of sensitivity. If we are able to contribute, just a bit, in their social rehabilitation process makes us think in our responsibility as musicians."

Representing the university community, the General Rector of the University of Guanajuato, Dr. Luis Felipe Guerrero Agripino, spoke some words where he expressed the social commitment of a public university such as the U. of Guanajuato is the inclusion of all people to construct a better world.

He highlighted that "in the University of Guanajuato we believe in every person, and in the artistic expression as tool for inclusion. OSUG represents an orchestra of quality, with excellent leadership and a deep human sense."

To the concert attended authorities from the Department of Public Safety of the State and the University of Guanajuato.

The Symphonic Orchestra of the University of Guanajuato

The Symphonic Orchestra of the University of Guanajuato (OSUG) occupies a privileged place in the musical panorama of Mexico as one of the orchestral ensembles of greater prestige in the country and a solid international projection.

In addition of offering more than 30 annual programs in their seasons, OSUG is the resident orchestra of the Festival Internacional Cervantino where it has participated with programs of great artistic transcendence such as the premiere in Mexico of the Symphony No. 4 of Lutoslawski, the premiere in Guanajuato of the Concert for violin of Paul Hindemith and dozens of executions and premieres of plays of composers such as Mario Lavista, Joaquín Gutiérrez Heras, Silvestre Revueltas and Juan Trigos.

Thanks to their enormous repertoire, dynamism and personality, OSUG has been invited to diverse national festivals and has made multiple international tours.

In June 2015, Roberto Beltrán-Zavala was named the Head Director of OSUG. With a solid international career and nurtured concert agenda, M.A. Beltrán-Zavala has been guest in many of the most prestige orchestras in Europe and his work has been unanimously acclaimed by the specialized press in Europe.