Orquesta Sinfonica de la Universidad de Guanajuato

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An acquaintance of mine, a recent graduate of Manhattan School of Music, has been offered a position in the Orquesta Sinfonica de la Universidad de Guanajuato and is currently deciding whether to take it. I know there are several people on this forum who work or have worked in Mexico so I would appreciate any insight you could give to help her with the decision.

My parents live in Mexico so I am familiar with the current political and social issues. However, I don't know anything about the orchestra or the local area of Guanajuato so any advice on those topics would be helpful.

Thanks in advance.

pitchlevel · Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 7:22 am Post subject:

Guanajuato (OSUG) was my first job, I got it when I graduated from MSM! I played there from 2000 to 2004. Then I went to Merida, and now I'm in Toluca.

I met my wife there, and my sister in law still lives there, I try and visit as much as possible.

The city itself is an absolute gem. It's been called the "most European city in the Americas". Gorgeous place.

PM me to talk in depth about anything else.

Motrpt1 · Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 4:39 pm Post subject:

I'm also MSM alum... came to mexico in 2010 a couple years after graduating. I agree, Guanajuato is a beautiful city, and a good location for traveling around Mexico. The only thing I might add is that most of the orchestras here are not on the quality standards of american orchestras, so it's best to consider it a good job, and search for real music making elsewhere. Definitely not how we do it in new york.
_________________
Marc Osterer
Mexico City Philharmonic

"Don't blow harder for the high notes. Pinch tighter" -Richard Shuebruk, 1923

gringoloco · Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2012 6:31 am Post subject:

I'm sure New York would be happy to have you back Marc.
Again, please speak for your own Orchestra. We make plent of "real" music down here.

johntpt · Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2012 7:15 am Post subject:

I have played with the OSUG many times over the years, as a Soloist, as guest principal trumpet, as extra trumpet, and on 2 international tours to China in 2007 and Egypt in 2009. I have enjoyed each and every trip I have made to Guanajuato and have many good friends there. The OSUG is a very good professional orchestra, on par with many good professional orchestras in the USA and Europe. There are numerous great musicians in Guanajuato, and as has been mentioned it is a beautiful place to live! Guanajuato is one of my favorite places to visit and I hope to return other times in the future.

They play great rep almost every week with little or no pops, opera, ballet, or childrens' concerts, just big orchestral rep. A great first job and not a bad place to spend the rest of one's life as well.

Each fall Guanajuato hosts a major international arts festival called Cervantino. Over the years many great orchestras have played there, among them the Berlin Phil, Philharmonia, and the Montreal Symphony. This October the Chicago Symphony will be playing there, along with a concert in Mexico City.

JU

jbsmith1c · Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2012 7:20 am Post subject:

Played principal trumpet in the OSUG from 2001-2004 with pitchlevel at the same time. My feeling is the same as his. PM for more info if you want. Also johntpt gave a very good description as well. Also went to MSM.

gringoloco · Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2012 12:19 pm Post subject:

I think it's worth mentioning also that university orchestras in Mexico aren't comprised of students. They are professional orchestras run and paid for by the universities as a cultural offering to the community. Often times these jobs also provide benefits that are given to professors like sabbatical and assistance with getting further degrees.
It's a pretty cool system. The three that come to mind are the OFUNAM (Orquesta Filarmonica de la Universidad Autonoma de Mexico), the OSUANL (Orquesta Sinfonica de la Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon in Monterrey) and the OSUG (Orquesta Sinfonica de la Universidad de Guanojuato). Another is the Orquesta Sinfonica de Xalapa, Mexico's oldest Orchestra, which is run by the Universidad Veracruzana.
Most of the other orchestras down here are run by state governments...like Orquesta Sinfonica de Yucatan, the Orquesta Sinfonica del Estado de Mexico (Toluca) and the Orquesta Sinfonica de Aguascalientes.
As John mentioned about Guanojuato, any of these would be a good first job and depending on other factors, maybe a great place to spend your career.

Oncewasaplayer · Heavyweight Member Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Posts: 787

I've spent quite a bit of time in Guanajuato (GTO). It's located in the center of Mexico and the area is relatively prosperous with some industry and car assembly lines. The city itself is truly beautiful--a colonial city with colorful architecture. The university is hundreds of years old and there are many ways to learn Spanish while you're there. Fine restaurants, friendly people. I was last there five years ago but I always felt safe and that the area was stable. It also has an active intellectual community. Each year the city has an impressive international arts festival (The International Cervantino) with musical groups, dance groups and art exhibitions from around the world on display. The town of San Miguel is nearby and also has concerts by visiting musicians (I saw the Emerson Quartet there). Both areas have large American expat populations and people said there were many options for excellent healthcare. It's easy to fly there via the nearby town of Leon. The climate is mild and very comfortable. A person could be very happy living there.
_________________
Lawler Cornet
Lawler C7 Trumpet
Flip Oakes American Long Cornet

poochie · Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2012 3:47 pm Post subject:

My 1 st professional job was in Guanajuato. At the time there were 2 orchestras there , I played in the Philharmonica del Bajio in the Teatro Juarez. It's my understanding that the 2 orchestras (Philharmonica and Universidad ) combined and are now one ( is that right guys).
It is one of the most beautiful places I've been to and if you need any extras call me , I'd love to spend some time back there.

pitchlevel · Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2012 4:03 pm Post subject:

poochie · Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2012 6:59 pm Post subject:

maybe he's mellowed

KPaultpt · Regular Member Joined: 14 Jul 2010 Posts: 30

Hey what recent MSM grad? (at msm currently)

- KP

alexwill · Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 5:38 am Post subject:

It's so hard to find a job these days that there's no question that your friend should take it.

However, living outside the USA isn't for everyone so your friend should educate himself about the culture and the people and the language to make an informed decision.

Tell your friends to start Spanish lessons immediately and read some books
such as:
http://www.amazon.com/Culture-Shock-Mexico-Customs-Etiquette/dp/155868624X

pitchlevel · Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 6:10 am Post subject:

poochie · Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 4:00 am Post subject:

French Horn?

pitchlevel · Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 5:00 am Post subject:

gringoloco · Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 5:58 am Post subject:

Are they still looking for a tubist?

pitchlevel · Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 6:01 am Post subject: