The rejoiceful melancholy of Andean rhythms and sounds are blended with the tenderness of innocent voices in Cantando voy bajando, the second CD by the Children's Andean Orchestra of Ayora (SAIA). This CD is impressive evidence of the continuing effort to not only prioritize for the Cayambis their ethnic musical heritage but to also share this music with a wider community.

SAIA is a project of the Instituto Andino de Artes Populares (IADAP) in conjunction with the Federación de Organizaciones Populares de Ayora Cayambe (UNOPAC) and Fundación Quindi. The orchestra is formed by 106 campesino-indigenous children between the ages of 5 and 12 harvested from the 17 Ayora rural communes. (Ayora abuts the city of Cayambe, located in the northernmost point of the Pichincha province. The town is only an hour from Quito. For more information read our InsidEcuador article)

In its brief three year existence, the orchestra has already received many honors. Last year, the Iranian democracy advocate and 2003 Nobel Prize winner, Shirin Ebadi, became the honorary godmother of the group. This year, the orchestra has been asked to play for the Miss Universe delegation in Quito.

The official premier of Cantando voy bajando was on April 30th in the quaint theater of Cayambe. The illustrious Gabriel Serrano, founder of the project, tells us: "This is a very interesting project and we were asked to make the premier at the Teatro Nacional Sucre [in Quito]. But we said, thank you but no, we want to do it in Cayambe because this is where our [the SAIA]history is."

At the premier, provincial authorities, families of the orchestra and friends of the organizers were treated to a full playing of the album. 18 zampoñas, 5 quenas, 5 charangos, 8 bandolines, 8 guitars, 4 tiples, 7 violins, 2 basses, Andean and Latin percussion plus 51 orchestitas and their professors and guides had the audience enthralled.

The night was full of genuine emotions: "We hope that this work realized by our children and their teachers will be agreeable to all of you", commented the sun worn indigenous mother of one of the children with obvious pride and humility. Gabriel, for his part, made palpable between heartfelt tears how difficult yet rewarding is the daily work with the children: "It is a first class disc, an artistic work that has been cared for to the smallest detail... The work of these babies is impressive."

Cantando voy bajando is composed of 12 songs that soulfully reflect the colorful rural life and music of these childre. The CD offers a varied repertoire of traditional rhythms based in folklore from Ecuador, Peru and Latinamerica, masterfully weaved together by the sweet and professional interpretation of these children.

We leave you with the song, "Valicha," a huayno cuzqueño (hymn from Cuzco, Perú) sung in the native Quichua. We hope the song inspires you to purchase their music; a small gesture that would help continue this seminal project.