A TUBA FOR CUBA

PROJECT OUTLINE

2010

Project Leader:
Miguel M. Baeza

Prelude
Project Leader: Miguel Baeza
I am a high school student attending Riverdale
Country School in Bronx, NY. I am Cuban-
American and having lived in Spanish-speaking
countries and studied the language since
elementary school, I am fluent in Spanish. In
addition, I have always been very involved in
and inspired by music and have been studying
and composing music since my childhood. I
was raised in a musical household and play the
guitar and piano as well as produce music. At
fifteen, I was chosen to compose the music to a
song featuring the talent of Grammy Award-
winning artist, Ashanti and rap sensation, Flo-
Rida.
I have been touched by music’s ability to
discipline, challenge and expand people’s
minds. Music has proven throughout history to
be a mechanism for cultural acceptance and
unity. At my school, in addition to other extra-
curricular activities, I am involved with the
campus’ various diversity efforts and actively try
to bring students of different backgrounds
together.
Project Impetus
Outside of the academic sphere, I am a Boy
Scout. I intend for this project to count as my
Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project. This
project allows me to further test my capabilities
as a leader and offers a chance for me to help
others, which is my principal motivation in taking
on this project.
2010
Why Cuba?
During the summer of 2009, I lived in Cuba for
two months and interned at a music studio. I
was in awe of not only how musical the Cuban
culture is but how much raw talent there is in
Cuba and how many musicians take advantage
of the numerous music schools and institutions.
Music has undoubtedly played a large role in
shaping Cuban culture historically and Cuban
culture has unquestionably played a substantial
part in the development of music globally.
Cuba’s well-regarded cultural programs are run
by the country’s Minister of Culture, Abel Prieto.
Cuba has countless music educational centers
and programs. Among the most prestigious arts
schools are La ENA (Escuela Nacional de Arte),
which is the first of two levels of artistic
formation. El ISA (Instituto Superior de Arte) is
the most prominent continuing, or secondary,
schooling for arts education (theater, music,
dance and plastic arts) in Cuba.
Cuba’s unique political history has resulted in
disparate cultures influencing the country’s
cultural and social formation, more so than other
former Spanish colonies. Aspects of Spanish,
African, French and Chinese culture have all
contributed widely to Cuba’s formation of a
national identity. This mixture of nationalities
amalgamated over time to form religious and
musical innovations that are specific to Cuba –
and fascinating.
With the current U.S. embargo, Cuba has very
few resources. It has become a country that
many U.S. citizens know little about. This does
not, however, mean that we cannot learn to
appreciate its culture. Hopefully, my project will
contribute, even in a small way, to the ultimate
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 2010

El ISA Campus. Havana, Cuba. 2009.

Executive Summary
A Tuba for Cuba is a project that I am heading that comes from my passion for music, my want,
as a Boy Scout, to assist others, my knowledge of Cuban culture and proficiency in the country’s
language and my desire to exploit the vehicle of music to promote a greater sense of acceptance
and appreciation between two different cultures.

The project entails the collection of donated musical instruments and music supplies and working
with two of Cuba’s most prestigious schools of the arts: La Escuela Nacional de Arte (La ENA) and
El Instituto Superior de Arte (El ISA). We hope to acquire at least forty instruments, not including
other music supplies. The project will take roughly three months to complete. All problematic
aspects of the project have been considered and with the help of the president of the top arts
foundation in Cuba, The Ludwig Foundation of Cuba, and its New York-based president, Carole
Rosenberg, I will be aided in dealing with these hypothetical situations.

For this project to be realized, organization becomes a very important factor. Another crucial
factor for the success of this project is keeping all parties involved informed. I am using internet-
based software to ensure that all who have responsibilities to the project be well-informed without
eliminating the possibility for discussion.
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Need
The Cuban government provides free education for its people. I think that this makes my project more
appealing and realistic. The problem is not finding able and determined musicians. I also do not have to
worry about finding or rounding up appropriate musicians. The essential problem that my project addresses
is Cuba’s lack of resources. The institutions and musicians available and willing to participate in this
program are from the most noteworthy and trustworthy schools. However, they are often forced to share
instruments between many musicians and therefore cannot practice often, something that is vital to
advancement in any discipline. My project, therefore, exploits Cuba’s strong educational program and
incredible talent and provides the missing link—the musical supplies and instruments.

Objectives
• Collect instruments and musical supplies (notebooks, instrument care supplies, and sheet music)

• Store all items and keep records until sending the items to Cuba in four separate trips

• Deliver instruments to the two leading arts schools in Cuba—La ENA and El ISA (both located in
Havana)

• We hope to collect at least forty instruments (not including additional music supplies)

• The project will take approximately three months to complete (deadline is flexible depending on the
final delivery schedule)

Timeline
Methods
One of the most important aspects of my project is to be thoroughly organized so that the operation can
go as smoothly as possible. This means making sure that all parties involved communicate and have
access to important information in order to monitor the project effectively. I have decided to take
advantage of the technological advancements at my disposal to help me stay organized. I have also
given much thought to the importance of providing information to all those participating in the project,
including those donating instruments and supplies.

• Google Group

 I have created a Google group for the project that allows all invited members to access
my information, upload documents, post discussions and to generally share and maintain
communication, despite our busy schedules, successfully over e-mail and on the internet.

 The group is called A Tuba for Cuba and the group e-mail is: a-tuba-for-
cuba@googlegroups.com

• Facebook group

 I have already created a facebook group for updates and news about the project.

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 A Tuba for Cuba
Miguel M. Baeza
Project Leader

123 Hillside Avenue

Englewood, New Jersey 07631
http://groups.google.com/group/a-tuba-for-cuba?hl=en

E: MBaeza@riverdale.edu
E2: a-tuba-for-cuba@googlegroups.com
M: 347-387-3487