CATÓLICA-LISBON Big Band is looking for new talent
CATÓLICA-LISBON Big Band is looking for new talent at the start of the new academic year. Aimed at uniting the academic community through music, it is composed of students, both national and international, but also professors.
The Big Band, which began in October 2021, is CATÓLICA-LISBON's first musical ensemble. Together, this band has provided an eclectic musical journey, with a wide range of songs from classics by Ben E. King, to modern icons like Amy Winehouse, Bill Withers and The Beatles. Under the leadership of conductor Eduardo Lála, the Big Band has grown and prospered, affirming its presence at significant university events.
Participation can go far beyond simply playing an instrument. Being part of the CATÓLICA-LISBON Big Band is an opportunity for personal development, where you learn to work as a team, listen to others and receive feedback, all in an environment of pure fun and sharing unique moments. Furthermore, in this band, music transcends borders, as the conductor states, “music holds significant importance as it connects everyone. There are people of different nationalities, and music has the power to bring them together because there are no language barriers. We can put together a German drummer with a Macanese vocalist, which is very positive.” Music also offers psychological and emotional benefits. It acts as a therapy that helps you relax, and manage stress and anxiety while strengthening the feeling of belonging and inclusion.
Carolina Margarido, one of the vocalists, shares this feeling and describes her path in the band as an evolution. She states that being a member took her out of her comfort zone, offering her an opportunity for personal growth and building new friendships. Nicole Uni, another talented vocalist from Macau, expresses deep feelings of belonging. She mentions that although she is far from home, the band has become her "family” in Portugal, providing her with a space where she feels integrated and connected with the local community.!
The CATÓLICA-LISBON Big Band meets every Tuesday, after work hours, at Namouche studio, in Lisbon, to rehearse and explore together the musicality of the instruments. There, talents come together: guitars, both acoustic and electric, intertwine with the piano keys, drum rhythms, and voices singing songs of various musical styles.