FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACTS: Michele Rothert, Esteta Communications

412.322.0281 mr@estetacommunications.com

Ernesto Contenti, Coro Latinoamericano

412.377.5850 contenti@telerama.com

Coro Latinoamericano-Pittsburgh To Be First Multi-national Folk Choir

From United States to Perform At Cantapueblo Choral Music Festival

· Choir prepares for trip to Quito, Ecuador, Nov. 13-19, 2001

· Artistic Director and Conductor Sharon Rotuna, Ambridge, PA, to lead choir

· Group to join other choirs to perform Misa Criolla by renowned composer Ariel Ramirez

· Local filmmakers to document event

PITTSBURGH, PA (November 2, 2001) – Coro Latinoamericano – Pittsburgh (Latin American Choir of Pittsburgh) is headed to Quito, Ecuador, Nov. 13 through 19, as the first multi-national folk choir from the United States to participate in Cantapueblo, an annual choral music festival featuring performances from choirs from around the world. Plans call for local filmmakers to join Coro Latinoamericano to document the event, which unites the Americas in culture, the musical arts and global good will.

Cantapueblo is held each year in a specific country or

designated regions of Latin America. Following last year’s festival,

held concurrently in Mendoza, Argentina, Vina del Mar, Chile,

and Quito, organizers learned of Coro Latinoamericano’s success

in Western Pennsylvania. They invited members to become part

of “more than 300 voices” by traveling to Quito for Cantapueblo

in 2001. Coro will be the first choir from the U.S. to participate in the

the Quito Cantapueblo event.

Coro Latinoamericano recently performed at

Leisure Acres Llamas farm, New Bethlehem, PA. A local filmmaker covered the event to produce the choir’s first promotional video.

Coro Latinoamericano is unusual because it is a multi-

national Latin American choir –one of only a few choirs of its C

kind in the U.S. Coro is composed of about 20 Western

Pennsylvanians who perform folk songs from North, Central,

and South America and the Caribbean. Most of its members come from a variety of Latin American countries and retain their cultural ties or citizenships. Together, they join with U.S.- born members to promote a closer understanding of Latin American music and cultural heritage.

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Coro Latinoamericano to Perform at Cantapueblo Ecuador /11-2-1—Add One

Leading Coro Latinoamericano in song is Sharon Rotuna, Ambridge, PA, artistic director and conductor, Coro Latinoamericano. Rotuna is also an assistant conductor, Bach Choir of Pittsburgh; conductor, Westminster College Women’s Choir, New Wilmington, PA; and music teacher, Aquinas Academy, Wildwood, PA.

“As the first multi-national folk choir from the United States to participate in Cantapueblo, Coro Latinoamericano-Pittsburgh is both honored and proud. We’re a group of Western Pennsylvanians with diverse backgrounds. Many of us were born in Latin American countries – others in the U.S.A.,” said Sharon Rotuna, artistic director and conductor, Coro Latinoamericano-Pittsburgh. “United in culture and song, we now have a chance to vocalize our pride in America, as well as help shape harmony and good will worldwide.”

During the five-day event, Coro Latinoamericano will perform songs from Latin American countries, along with two U.S. selections: an African-American spiritual and a tribute to Pittsburgh-born composer Stephen Foster.

Coro Latinoamericano-Pittsburgh – Program for Cantapueblo, Quito, Ecuador

Contributing to a “one world voice,” Coro Latinoamericano will join choirs from other countries in singing La Misa Criolla (High Mass) composed by Ariel Ramierez of Argentina. Ramirez is the most highly renowned modern-day composer of Latin American folk music.

Coro Latinoamericano will perform in Quito and neighboring towns including Otavalo, Ibarra and Cuenca, Ecuador, in the Andes Mountains. In anticipation of the trip, Coro members recently performed at Leisure Acres Llamas farm, New Bethlehem, PA, where they donned colorful ponchos, played instruments from the Andes and sang folk favorites atop the “altiplanos” of central Pennsylvania. They also enlivened activities at the annual llama back-packing and hiking trail event hosted by Sonja and Chuck Leach, Leisure Acres Llamas farm, New Bethlehem, PA, (814) 275-2400, llamas@llamalove.com, http://www.llamalove.com

Coro Latinoamericano holds spring and holiday concerts in Pittsburgh and performs at a wide range of events including ethnic festivals and educational forums. Plans call for Coro to take its music to schools and student groups in the coming year.

Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Coro Latinoamericano (Latin American Choir) is a singing group of about 20 men and women committed to “uniting the Americas” through a closer understanding of Latin American music and culture. Members represent various countries of North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. http://www.elcoro.org NOTE: Images are available in format of choice. ###