Recognition to Sonora’s 2007 Maestro
As a motivate to those who have formed generations of musicians and performers, in 2006 the recognition was given to Maestro Rafael Alvarez “El Rifle”; this year 2007, it will be a tribute to professor Romeo Gomez Aguilar in a ceremony to be celebrated Saturday January 27 at 5:00 pm in the Forum at Alamos Plaza.
Professor Romeo Gomez Aguilar was born in Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico, on September 19th of 1919. Son of Irene Aguilar de Gomez and Arturo Gomez Hernandez who was a recognized musician graduated from the National Conservatory of Mexico. At age 15 he entered the dependent school of the Philharmonic Union of Guadalajara, Jalisco.
In 1935 he joined the Tepic Nayarit’s State Band as a soloist in trumpet, he had a complete domain of the instrument thanks to the musical studies he did at early age.
In 1945 he arrived in Navojoa, Sonora for invitation of Ruperto Gastelum who had an orchestra. That same year he changed to Ramiro’s Ibarra orchestra under his request for support as a soloist with the trumpet, instrument he already had mastery on. The group left on tour to the north of the state of Sonora, and went back to Navojoa in 1950 to settle and to create their own orchestra called “Hispano-American Alliance” this orchestra had the sponsorship for the club of the same name. When the club separated, the orchestra changed its name to “Romeo Gomez Aguilar” and stayed with it for 10 years.
In the middle of 1969, professor Romeo Gomez Aguilar took the conducting of the Juvenile Band of the City, he attended his designation to teach, prepare and instruct students who were part of this group. In Sonora, the band has participated in important activities like leading parades, cultural, sports and civic events. In 1975 the group attended to CECYTES’ National Cultural Events to the city of Veracruz, contesting with bands of the entity and from Mexico City where they obtain first place. For more than 20 years, the band has participated in Guaymas’ Carnivals.
Temporary patronages have been formed to give support to the Juvenile Band with instruments and uniforms. A total of 16 generations have passed by their improvised school; the well known composer from Alamos Arturo Marquez was formed there, along with the conductors of the music bands of COBACH and “Secundaria Tecnica No. 67” from Navojoa. In 2005 the Sonora’s Institute of Culture, gave away instruments for the total of students and uniforms for the members. Nowadays, the Juvenile Band it has the necessary, but it doesn’t have a decent school or a way of transportation to provide a better service to the community. However, professor Romeo Gomez Aguilar at age 86 keeps “making” musicians made with love.
