Victor Hugo Santos: Talent, Art, Culture and Children's Music

A child's musical education is an integral part of intellectual, sensory and auditory development. Through music a child learns to work with others in harmony and becomes more confident in working with groups. So it is important for parents to understand that music is fundamental in the education of children, it stimulates learning and intellectual development.

These developments would not be possible without the presence of those who teach music to children. A clear example of this vocation is Victor Hugo Santos, who has dedicated his time and service to teaching children through song, and who reaffirms that "to want is power," and that every child can expand his knowledge by creating a connection to music.

The musical educator Victor Hugo Santos was born in the City of the Palaces, Mexico City. 35 years ago he began his work as a cultural activist promoting the "culture of the people." As a sympathizer of the work of Jose Marti he believed that "to be educated is to be free." In the 70s he participated and helped pioneer the movement of "new song" of Latin America next to the most successful artists of this genre in California. Santos, at 33 years old, has worked as a musical educator since 1995 at River Glen Bilingual Immersion Program and other schools in San Francisco. Since 1996 he has taught in the "Centros de Guarderia Colores" a daycare center, and in 2005 he was contracted to improve its bilingual program through songs and music. In 2007 he held special music assemblies in the Redwood City area as well as the Academy of East Palo Alto.

"Ever since I was a child I liked to entertain other kids. I was a ventriloquist and had a doll that my mom had given me that was called "Titin" and with it I would entertain kids and charge a small fee to help me with my expenses. When I was an adolescent I felt a strong admiration of children and I understood my mission was with them. Destiny kept pushing me in that direction. I began at 14 years old, and since then I have not stopped playing, creating songs, and teaching music to children. It has been my livelihood, satisfying me economically and allowing me to do what I love. Seeing children learn has been the best payment," said Victor Hugo Santos, who also studied music in the National Institute of Fine Arts in Mexico City.

Over the years, Victor Hugo Santos, in his artistic and activist career has seen himself in pro community causes. Victor was a docent for the non-profit organization Music for Minor, where he offered a class on Latin American Music and Instruments for children. He founded the cultural Center of the Peña Juchit Ireta, a non-profit organization that promotes Latin American culture, as well as founding a Latin American folkloric group "Grupo Germinal."

"It has been a long time since I discovered that culture is very important for communities, and that a person who reads and is aware of cultural values will be worthy in any part of the world. It allows people not to lose their identity. I always thought of myself as a cultural activist and a worker for culture. During my career I have done everything an artist should, from preparing a stage, promoting it, selling an event, singing, and even cleaning up after a performance. I feel very proud to have done all those things. I believe I am not just a "cantante" (singer) but a "cantor" (singer-artist) the difference being that a "cantante" sings with his mouth, while a "cantor" sings from the heart. In my opinion we must help create critical thinkers, and what better way than to stimulate this growth than with education since childhood," commented Mr. Santos.

The artist and singer Victor Hugo Santos has held concerts for children in many libraries and community centers in the Bay Area.

Victor is the author and creator of "Songs for Children" the album he began in 2000 and that has been divided into 6 volumes. They have met with great success guiding parents teach their children. At the same time, Santos is program conductor of "Maderas Latinoamericanas" on KKUP 91.5 FM, and a radio conductor for the program "Enlace Cultural" on channel 16 KMVT in Mountain View, California.

"It was a struggle to achieve my goal of creating musical cd's, mostly because of economics. My motivation was the children. The cd’s are made, respectfully, for them. Because, even though they are young and small, they are thinking intelligent beings. You can not give them any songs, only those songs through which they can learn and become better people as they grow. I have achieved my goals due to the effort I have put into everything I do," confirms Victor Hugo Santos, the music teacher.

This year Victor Hugo Santos celebrates his musical and artistic trajectory with a grand event "Celebrando el Dia del Niño" (Celebrating Kids' Day) and 16 Years of Songs for Children, which will take place Friday April 29 at 7:00 p.m. on 160 North 3rd Street, San Jose, CA. As a preview, Maestro Santos commented about his future projects, the first being his next cd "Canción para los niños en vivo-Volumen 7" (Songs for Children Live-Volume 7), which he will record during the celebration concert. He is also looking to publish a book of songs and stories for children and to begin a new radio program on 104.9 International Radio called "You, Music, and the Child."

The celebration concert for children will count on the participation of several personalities and ten local musicians, as well the children who will sing with Maestro Santos, and ex-students he has taught music will be the final touch of the night.

"I've been in the Bay Area for 25 years, time has passed so quickly and I have still not seen anything like this for children in Spanish. They deserve it. This concert celebrates 16 years of my musical career, but it is not an homage to "Victor Hugo Santos," but to children and their songs. They are my biggest joy, and my goal is to keep sharing rhythms and great melodies of Latin American folklore and filling them with positive messages," concluded Victor Hugo Santos.

Musical CD's of Mr. Santos' work are available at several public libraries in the Bay Area or on his web page victorhugosantos.com

For more information about tickets for the concert on April 29th please call (408) 718-4944.