UCundinamarca Women's Music Group

Four brave women make up Anhelos, a peasant music group in which carranga is the protagonist and to the sound of bambucos, torbellinos and others, they do not let the tradition of Colombian peasant music die.

Maritza Saavedra is a Master of Music from UCundinamarca and worked for a time as a teacher, however, in one of her moments of inspiration she conceived the idea of forming a peasant music group and for this she began her search for talent.

“Wanting to reclaim the role of women in society and in music, I wanted to surround myself with women to form this team. At the university, you see a lot of talent, and that's when I called them one by one and told them about the idea; they accepted right away,” Maritza recalled.

At the beginning of 2020, the group Anhelos emerged, comprised of Maritza Rocha on requinto guitar, Rocio Rozo on guitar, Claudia Leyton on tiple, and Maritza Saavedra on vocals. These talented musicians have proudly passed through the classrooms of UCundinamarca.

When the pandemic arrived, the four women had to suspend rehearsals, until one day a call for a contest made them, with all precautions, to rehearse again. They went for first place in the Festival of Peasant Voices contest in Sibaté and indeed they won.

Then they participated in the Traditional Music Festival of Toledo (Santander) where they won second place. Each of these recognitions encouraged the group to continue rehearsing, creating their own music and sharing their talent with the world.

A life for service and music

Maritza Saavedra was blessed with a harmonious voice that fills everything around her with joy. However, what truly motivates her is to put her knowledge and love of music at the service of the community.

She enjoys teaching and although she spent some time teaching at UCundinamarca, she is currently focused on the classes she teaches at the House of Culture and her work as an artist at the Nazaret Home in Cogua, Cundinamarca.

“At the nursing home, I'm in charge of providing therapy for the elderly, and I'm an artist. This work is very fulfilling because you're contributing your knowledge to the well-being of others,” said the graduate, explaining that teaching at the House of Culture has been an enriching experience and that she is grateful to UCundinamarca for allowing her to be a teacher, but that this was one of her dreams.

Anhelos will continue to pave the way, showcasing the role of women in folk music and bringing joy to the hearts of those who listen to them. Despite working, its members juggle their activities and lives to continue rehearsing and giving their best.

A nice anecdote

When the world was shaken by the arrival of the pandemic, at the Nazareth home where Maritza works, they asked her to do something fun to teach the grandparents the basic biosecurity care.

The first thing she thought of was music, and she adapted a song by Maestro Jorge Velosa, an icon of carranguera music. “When I saw that it was a success and that it would be used in other spaces, I preferred to call the Maestro and talk directly with him. He saw the lyrics and gave it a title, accepted the idea, and applauded it,” Maritza recalled with pleasure.

“Julia the messenger” was a tool during the pandemic, the national media talked about her and Maritza had the support of one of the icons of peasant music.

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