Cuban Music Course in Matanzas, Cuba 5th-12th April 2026

Register here https://tinyurl.com/3sccky2t In order to secure a place please register and pay a £100 deposit The course is primarily aimed at musicians, but we also welcome along families and friends. N.B. The trip to Havana will cost an extra £150 which will cover 3 nights accommodation, breakfast and organization of activities. COURSE COST £1300/Students £1180 ($1765/$1602, €1507/€1370 at current exchange rates) SUPER EARLY BIRD if booked before 30th September 2025 £1200 ($1629, €1391) at current exchange rate) EARLY BIRD if booked before 31st October 2024 £1250 ($1697, €1449 at current exchange rate) Repeat booking are entitled to a further £50 discount Non-players – half price, if sharing a room there is a further reduction. 1 WEEK COURSE INCLUDES: Rehearsals and group tuition, Accommodation and breakfast for 8 nights (5TH – 12th April inclusive) Evening meals for 7 evenings (one is free for outings). Transport from Havana to Matanzas for those doing the 3-day Havana trip We are happy to organize accommodation for extra nights, please indicate on the booking form. SUMMARY: Following amazing courses in 2022-25 we are going back to Matanzas in April 2026. Join Sara McGuinness, Jesus Bello and a team of fantastic Cuban musicians for a week of music making. Matanzas is situated 100km east of Havana, on the coast close to the seaside resort of Varadero. Matanzas is significant in the history of Cuban music and arts and is a vibrant cultural hub. We have great contacts in Matanzas and are very excited to have this opportunity to run the course there. We will be rehearsing in Sala de Concierto José White, situated on the main square in Matanzas. The concert hall is famed as the birthplace of Danzón (Cuba’s national dance). We will be staying in beautiful casa particulares including Casa de Margarita and Roberto and Casa Soñada. They are gorgeous and the hosts are wonderful, welcoming people. We will be eating in a selection of a lovely local restaurants and use a delicious home delivery service. Working in Matanzas, which is a small but vibrant city, provides the opportunity to interact with a lot of people there. The economic situation makes it impossible for organisations to buy essential items. In response to this, through discussion with the director of Sala White, Jesus Bello and El Almacen, for the last two year we have changed the way that we pay for services in Cuba, turning the trip into more of a cultural exchange. In 2024 we bought sacks of cement and roofing panels for Sala White, which had severe problems with leaks. In 2025 we bought the materials and funded the construction of a staff kitchen in Sala White. In addition, We have partnered with the Paediatric hospital and raise money for urgent medical supplies which we source in the UK and take to Cuba. Bruno Villalonga (ex-Irakere, Tropicana. trombonist) who voluntarily runs a youth big band, community big band in Matanzas. He is generously lending us some instruments and will be working with us on some days. In previous years our horn players were invited to sit in with his band in a concert, and it is likely that this invitation will be extended again. We took supplies for the youth big band, and plan to do the same this year As usual, to complement the rehearsals we will be organizing an exciting programme of musical activities: concerts, talks, rehearsals, etc. As we are close to the beautiful beaches of Varadero, we will have a daytrip to the beach and plan to take you all on a day out to La Arboleda on the nearby Rio Conimar https://www.jibacoacuba.net/riocanimar.html Features include: 40 hours of taught music making and directed practice Ensemble playing with professional Cuban musicians Percussion and rhythm workshops Extra time slots for individual and group practice Taught sessions on the history and development of Cuban musical styles Ensemble playing Performances by top Cuban ensembles Homestays in lovely, friendly local casas. NB: Due to the difficult situation in Cuba, we are limiting numbers. Please book early to avoid disappointment. Not included in the price but we can organise: Optional individual classes Optional dance classes