Grupo Serenada

was formed in 1975, when a rock band merged with a youth church choir. From the outset the group has explored the boundaries of the local music of Curaçao, experimenting with voice harmonization, rhythms and musical styles, while aiming to preserve the essence of the local tradition and folklore. The group of eleven dedicated amateurs spends a great deal of time to the rescue of forgotten Papiamentu songs, striving to safeguard the colorful musical heritage of the island with its typical lively rhythms and cheerful songs. Over time Serenada developed its own unique style. 'A capella' songs form an essential part of the group's repertoire, where the members try to mimic the basic elements of instruments and rhythms with words or vocal sounds. Other songs are accompanied by string instruments, such as guitar, double bass, mandolin and cuarto, percussion and traditional instruments like the benta (African bow), the barí, the tambú grandi, the hoe, the horn and the metal guiro. The group has represented Curaçao in several countries of the Caribbean and the world. At home, in addition to countless performances during festive activities, private celebrations and festivals, the group has participated in most official cultural acts. Serenada produced ten albums and a DVD, exposing on each one a variety of traditional standards, as well as new compositions in Curaçao's national language Papiamentu. For his dedicated work with Serenada, the current musical director, Henri Moen, received the 'Colá Debrot' prize, the highest tribute awarded by the government of Curaçao for outstanding cultural achievement.

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