Life Stories – Taisho Saquicoray
In Sinfonía por el Perú we have been working for twelve years for the development of children and childhood in Peru. Our contribution not only extends to the purely musical level, but our impact is dimensioned to various areas of the life of the beneficiaries, such as the family and professional level. In these training processes, many of our beneficiaries manage to find their way of life and begin to build their trajectories with full autonomy that allows them to glimpse a promising future for their lives. This is how the story of Taisho Saquicoray Murga was born, a beneficiary who started in our Huánuco Center and who currently lives in Spain studying at the Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofía.
A few days ago, we were able to talk pleasantly with Taisho, who gave us a very interesting interview with some details of his career, his aspirations and personal goals, and the experiences lived in Sinfonía, and now in Europe.
Hello, Taisho. Thank you for granting us this interview! To put us in context: How did you get to Sinfonía por el Perú?
T: Thanks to my father, who found out through the media that Sinfonía would open a center in my city (Huánuco) and they did not hesitate to register me. I never thought that with the help of music I could build my own future by loving what I do.
And your stay in the Center? What memorable experiences did you live?
T: The years I spent in the center were really pleasant. I learned a lot about working together, cultivating and acquiring new values —as well as practicing them—, and I met classmates and teachers who today are part of my close circle.
The center is the first approach of the beneficiaries with music. Where does its importance for training processes lie?
T: in approaching music in an unforced and pleasant way. Develop skills and values that will serve life and create a better society.
We are very interested in knowing about your current experiences and the learning you strengthen.
T: Since 2022 I am a student at the Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofía, where I have been studying the Bachelor’s degree with maestro Wies de Boevé. Until now I have had many individual and common learnings such as: solo recitals, accompaniment to colleagues in their different concerts, which suppose an extra responsibility.I have also learned a lot about valuing one’s own work in the face of greater challenges.
What a thrill to know what you achieve at 19 years old!What impression has your stay in the Youth Orchestra made on you?
T: The first impression I had was one of amazement, since I came from being the only double bass player in my center, to having more than ten basses at the front. Over the years I joined and was infected by the passion of the orchestra and continued like this until my last concert. The highlight I learned from was developing empathy and resilience from being a Tutti musician to section Capo.
As part of the Central Casts you have been able to live incredible experiences with your colleagues…Where has music taken you?
T: To places that one as a musician will always have great respect and admiration, dreaming of playing there one day. Together with the Youth Orchestra and Juan Diego Flórez, we have been able to visit and play at festivals such as Lucerne, Salzburg and Menuhin Gstaad.
And now that you mention about the Tour Sinfonía 2022 and your participation as a double bass player in the orchestra, we would like you to tell us about the role that your instrument plays in orchestral composition…
T: Many composers and performers point out that the double bass is the most important instrument in the orchestra, not to mention groups, for example the construction of any building or idea is always put. First there is a base, which gives us a support in this case “harmonic and rhythmic” to be able to establish something called music. In short, the double bass fulfills in addition to accompanying, the function of support of the orchestra.
Taisho, now speaking in a local context: what do you think are the challenges that musicians face to professionalize in Peru?
T: the lack of demand in society to consume culture, which derives from the beginning to the avoidance of studying art in a general concept, not to say music. The few institutions that decide to impart music in a classical aspect. Little, if not null labor field for the development of the knowledge learned. Unfortunately art is not yet diversified in our country, if it is not in the capital I can not find another place where one can exercise the work of musician.
Thank you for pointing out your valuable point of view. In Sinfonía we also seek to promote the critical participation of young people that allows their voices and opinions to be heard. Finally, we want to know about your personal goals….
T: Right now, my goal is to absorb the closest sources of knowledge that I have in my environment. Finish the year satisfied with my achievements and with new challenges to meet. I will reach them with work and help from my strengths.
We thank Taisho for giving us this interesting interview that will allow the community of Sinfonía por el Perú to know a little more about his life story. At the same time, we appreciate the work of the teachers and the Sinfonía team, who are the axes to promote the trajectories of the children and young people who are part of the organization.