Guanajuato Summer Academy

Since coming to the ASU Herberger Institute School of Music in 1998, Kimberly Marshall has started a summer academy in Guanajuato, Mexico, which offers you the opportunity to study and perform on 18th-century Hispanic organs. The academy is administered by ASU Summer Sessions and is held every two years during the month of July.

ASU Organ students in Guanajuato

Guanajuato is a beautiful colonial city of approximately 80,000 inhabitants located in the middle of Mexico, nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains and hills. Founded in 1559, it is the seat of the state of Guanajuato and is the site of one of Mexico’s oldest universities. The rich local mines financed the construction of this magnificent city with beautiful churches, such as La Compañía and the Basilica downtown, and the Iglesia de San Cayetano (La Valenciana) and Mellado on the outskirts of the city. In the 18th century, the Valenciana mine alone accounted for two thirds of the world's silver production.

This opulence also supported the construction of elaborate pipe organs in the style of contemporary Spanish instruments. Several of these have been restored represent a vital musical treasure that has not yet been fully utilized in training organists. ASU students in the Guanajuato program study the repertoire and performance techniques appropriate for these exquisite organs.

For more information, contact Kimberly Marshall.

La Valenciana, Guanajuato	Mellado, Guanajuato