Youth Orchestras on MX Border Unite in Joint Concerts Angela Kocherga - Dallas News
go to original February 2, 2017

Youth symphony orchestras from both sides of the Texas-Mexico border performed a joint concert titled  "The Bridge," a respite from protests at airports across the country where demonstrators carried signs that read "no wall, no ban" a reference to President Trump's executive orders tightening immigration controls.

"There's a lot of tension right now," said Antonio Rocha, 18, a French horn player with the Azteca Esperanza  youth  orchestra in Ciudad Juarez. "It brings us together from both sides. It makes the world a more peaceful place," said Rocha.

The performance, which took months of planning, came on the heels of a series angry tweets from the presidents of both countries over the border wall and who would pay for it.

"Music really brought the countries together despite of all the political changes, despite all the things going on in the United States and Mexico," said Amanda Andalis, 17, a violin player with the El Paso Youth Symphony.

James O. Welsch, music director for the El Paso Youth Orchestras, served as conductor for the binational performances of The Bridge. "When were talking about dividing and walls and all those things we have a bridge that connects us not only musically but our humanity," said Welsch.

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