Over winter break, students in Cornell’s Barbara & Richard T. Silver ‘50, MD ‘53 Wind Symphony traveled to Cuba for a community-engaged performance tour in collaboration with the National Concert Band of Cuba. The tour honored both music and culture.

The nine-day trip, with eight days spent in Havana and one in Matanzas, was led by James Spinazzola, the Barbara & Richard T. Silver ‘50, MD ‘53 Associate Professor and Director of Winds at Cornell. He hopes to establish a long-term partnership with the National Concert Band, a premier ensemble sponsored by the state, with members ranging from students to older adults.

Spinazzola emphasized the reciprocal nature of the partnership, envisioning a biennial exchange where the Wind Symphony travels to Cuba one year, and in the alternate year, members of the National Concert Band visit Cornell. 

Read the full story on The College of Arts & Sciences website.