Spanish
Santo Domingo. - Entities of national and international scope made an important donation of instruments and supplies to the Dominican Typical Music Training Project, thanks to the funds generated by the royalties of the song “Resistiré RD”, the emblematic merengue version produced in May 2020 during the pandemic.
"I will resist RD" was born from the original idea of the producer Alberto Zayas, who brought together more than 40 artists to create a solidarity piece with the purpose of providing support to musicians and their families in a moment of high vulnerability.
This initiative was made possible thanks to the collaboration between AZ Films Producción, La Oreja Media Group, César Suárez Jr., Antonio González, Jompéame, and the essential support of Pina Records in the monetization of the official video.
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During the first phase of the project, the funds raised allowed for the channeling of aid in food and vouchers for dozens of families of Dominican musical groups affected by the health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the original agreement to allocate 100% of the royalties to social causes, the project is moving towards a new stage focused on strengthening traditional music education. "I will resist RD, it is a project full of solidarity, of resilience that today delivers culture and identity. Music is a bridge of hope and union. With this contribution to the Escuela de Música Típica del Centro Cultural María Montez, we renew our commitment to tradition, artistic education and the future of our typical merengue," said Alberto Zayas during the activity. On his part, Porfirio Piña, assured: “Today we are not only celebrating the delivery of instruments. We celebrate the future, the identity and the opportunities that arise when music becomes a bridge that unites, transforms and elevates. And what better way to honor National Merengue Day than to sow the foundations to strengthen future generations, impact entire communities and reaffirm, with pride, the value and deep meaning of our Dominican identity.” Regarding the commemoration of National Merengue Day, the participating organizations decided to promote music education in the southern zone of the country and delivered instruments and essential materials for teaching typical merengue, including: tamboras, congas, güiras, accordions, electric basses, saxophones, music stands, and chairs to optimize the center's structure. It is important to highlight that the renowned saxophonist Moreno Rosario contributed one of the saxophones from these instruments. This investment amounts to RD$1,500,000, destined for the Escuela de Música Típica of the Centro Cultural María Montez, in Barahona, a dependency of the Vice Ministry of Creativity and Artistic Training of the Ministry of Culture. These resources were managed by the La Oreja Media Foundation, the entity in charge of converting the project's proceeds into direct support for the country's cultural development. Likewise, allied companies such as: TrueShore and Electromuebles Paviam covered the essential logistical expenses for the assembly, audiovisual documentation, and general operation of the delivery process. In addition to the contribution of copies of the books: “Most used chords on the accordion in typical merengue” and “Method of musical learning with the accordion”, which was carried out by the author and artist of typical music Yokaira Martínez, La Doncella del Acordeón. For his part, the Minister of Culture, Roberto Ángel Salcedo, highlighted the autochthonous music as one of the main pillars for the strengthening of our society and collective well-being. He also thanked the support of the institutions that joined forces to make this donation a reality. Within the framework of the handover ceremony, the signing of the inter-institutional agreement between the La Oreja Media Foundation (representing all those involved) and the Ministry of Culture remains pending, through which the necessary commitments were established to guarantee the sustainability of the Training Project in Dominican Typical Music at the Typical Music School of the María Montez Cultural Center, in Barahona, in view of its start in January 2026. In addition to strengthening artistic training in the region, this donation will have a significant impact on the province of Barahona and the entire southern zone of the country, by creating new opportunities for cultural development for young people. The direct beneficiaries of the program will be 60 children and adolescents between 8 and 18 years old, who will receive specialized training in typical music. Indirectly, the initiative will benefit more than 250 members of their families and the community, contributing to a more inclusive, creative and hopeful environment for the new generations. The activity was attended by government and cultural authorities, artists, community leaders, including: Ycelmary Brito O’Neal, better known as “Juliana”, artist and deputy for Santo Domingo Este, who stated: “What was a challenge at that time due to limitations today conveys strength, future, strengthening of our culture. Merengue is part of our DNA”, when sharing with those present about the impact of music on her life, her experience in the artistic field and how from the different scenarios in which she operates she contributes and supports the development of the Dominican music industry. With this delivery, an alliance is consolidated that reflects the commitment of the representatives of the creative sector, reaffirming their dedication to the dissemination and preservation of traditional Dominican rhythms, as well as the promotion of actions that generate a lasting cultural, educational, and social impact in the country.
