Master José Loyola Fernández Awarded the 2023 National Prize for Artistic Teaching

February 22, 2024

On February 21st, the outstanding composer, music theorist, orchestra conductor and flutist, José Loyola, was awarded the 2023 National Prize for Artistic Teaching, in recognition of his arduous work as a mentor of new generations, in the specialties of composition, orchestration, harmony, counterpoint, music history and musical acoustics at the ISA, an institution of which he is a founder and where he holds the special teaching category of Consulting Professor.

A member of the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba and president since 1987 of the International Boleros de Oro Festivals convened by UNEAC and organized by its Association of Musicians, the Master is also recognized, while the joy still pulses in the country, for UNESCO's declaration of the genre as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and of which Loyola safeguards, enriches and transmits his knowledge.

The Prize jury, comprised of Helmo Hernández as president, as well as Corina Mestre Vilaboy, Graciela Chao Carbonero, Jesús Ortega Trusta and Miguel Iglesias Ferrer, made the result firm by unanimous decision, also highlighting his status as founding director of the Charanga de Oro, an ensemble that stands out not only for the mastery of its performers, but also for its extensive repertoire, representative of the rhythms that constitute "the golden heritage" of Cuban popular music.

His varied and extensive catalog encompasses works for film and theater, choral, symphonic, chamber and concert music, which have been performed in several countries around the world. He also possesses important publications in books and specialized journals.

Currently from the University of the Arts (ISA) —in which he also served as vice-rector and dean—, he is a member of the Commission of Scientific Degrees, the Scientific Council and the Tribunal of Teaching Categories of the Faculty of Music; and he possesses, for his long career, numerous distinctions and other recognitions. Among them, the distinctions For National Culture, Raúl Gómez García and For Cuban Education; as well as the Alejo Carpentier Medal.