Yucatán Symphony Orchestra

Before the official founding of the OSY, several other orchestras were created in Mérida. In 1898, an orchestra organized by José Cuevas Pachón and inspired by concerts from Mexico city performed in the José Peón Contreras theater.[1]

From 1925 to 1935, Francisco Sánchez Rejón conducted an ensemble called the Orquesta Sinfónica de Mérida. It performed classical works by European composers such as Beethoven, Dvořák, and Wagner. The first orchestra to name itself "Orquesta Sinfónica de Yucatán" originated in 1936, from violinist and ethnomusicologist Samuel Martí. This group lasted for 2 years before ending performances. Between 1955 and 2001, other attempts at an orchestra for the city were made by Daniel Ayala, Carlos Tello Solís, and others.[1]

The fund for the support of the OSY was founded in February, 2001 in Mérida, by the ICY -- Domingo Rodriguez, Mari Eli Sosa and Leroy Osmon as organizers under the direction of the governor. Through a joint venture by the Yucatán State Government and the Orquesta Sinfónica de Yucatán foundation, the orchestra made its debut on February 27, 2004, under its first conductor, the Colombian Juan Felipe Molano Muñoz. Its main performing venue was the José Peón Contreras theater, renovated in 2011, in Mérida, with a 700-seat capacity.

In early 2009, Juan Carlos Lomónaco came from Mexico City to lead the orchestra.[1][2][3]

In November of 2022, a short circuit triggered a fire in the José Peón Contreras Center, causing significant damage. The OSY has since moved its performances to the Palacio de la Música (Palace of Music) in the center of Mérida.[4][5]

In March of 2023, the OSY Committee, formed by the Yucatán Secretary of Culture, announced its replacement of Juan Carlos Lomónaco with José Areán as the new musical director. This change was made along with an effort to include the music of more Yucatecan composers and to perform to a wider variety of audiences. [6][7]

The orchestra has 61 base musicians:[8]

• 9 first violins
• 8 second violins
• 8 violas
• 6 cellos
• 4 bass
• 2 flutes
• 1 piccolo
• 3 oboes
• 3 clarinets
• 2 bassoons
• 4 horns
• 2 trumpets
• 2 trombones
• 1 bass trombone (position vacant)
• 1 tuba
• 1 harp (position vacant)
• 4 percussionists

• Official website