The University of Almería marked the end of its XXVII Summer Courses with a special concert that drew a large audience to the Municipal Auditorium Maestro Padilla. The UAL Symphony Orchestra, commemorating the 270th anniversary of Mozart's birth, presented an evening divided into two parts, the first dedicated to the Austrian composer and the second to Respighi. During the event, the Social Council of the University of Almería took the opportunity to award scholarships for music training. The performance featured the participation of renowned performers E-Hyun Huettermann and Geukchan Lee, and brought together 96 musicians on stage.
The rector of UAL, José J. Céspedes, highlighted the significance of this event as a tradition that embodies the university's commitment to education and culture, making it accessible to society. He emphasized the connection of the Summer Courses with the community and the role of the Social Council as a liaison, supporting music education through scholarship awards.
The event was attended by council members from the Almería City Council, Amalia Martín (Presidency, Innovation, and European Funds) and Diego Cruz (Culture, Education, and Traditions). Cruz underscored the public's demand for such events and the collaboration between the University of Almería and the City Council, which provided the auditorium facilities and reiterated its support for the Summer Courses program. He acknowledged the enjoyment of a "good show" due to the selected pieces and the musicians' high level.
The Vice-Rector of Culture and Society, María del Mar Ruiz, offered a positive assessment of the XXVII Summer Courses, noting the variety of themes, high participation, and the success of the closing concert. She pointed out the challenge of performing a piece requiring 96 musicians on stage, a feat successfully accomplished. She expressed gratitude to the Almería City Council for its collaboration, as well as to the musicians, director Juan José Navarro, and coordinator Macarena Castellary ('Maica').
Ruiz recalled that the UAL Orchestra was established in 2018 to celebrate the university's twenty-fifth anniversary and has since enjoyed significant public support, offering three concerts annually, along with tours and recitals. The university is committed to providing music education through workshops and masterclasses.
During the closing ceremony, six scholarships were awarded to Daniel Ruiz, Dunia Navarro, Javier Peramo, José Luis Garrido, Julián de Lara, and Rubén Romero. The awards were presented by José J. Céspedes, Diego Cruz, Mónica de los Ángeles Garrido, and Salvador Esteve, following the official reading of the minutes by Elisa Álvarez. Subsequently, the orchestra performed the second part of the concert, marked by a radical shift in tempo and style.
