Latinoamérica Despierta was inspired in the social movements originated in the middle of the Twentieth century in several Latin American countries. These movements fought against inequality and a lack of opportunities for people in poor communities, along with low-quality education, corruption, political and ideological persecution, and violence suffered by those defending human rights.  Social movements in Latin America were an important counterweight to the dominant and abusive power of government and the ruling elite class against ordinary people.

Latinoamérica Despierta

Clarifico in an appealing piece for clarinet and piano inspired in rhythms and traditions of the Colombian Pacific coast. It has three movements
1. Herencia
2. Incertidumbres
3. ...y la fiesta continúa

Clarifico, for clarinet and piano (1st movement)

Caño Cristales is a piece for trombone and vibes, inspired in the river with the same name. For many, this is the most beautiful river in the world. Caño Cristales explores the color of the river and transfers that into the colorists options provided the the trombone (including the use of several mutes) and the vibraphone (including some extended techniques)

Caño Cristales (Premiere Performance Audio)

Beautiful piece in the style of Colombia cumbia, ideal to introduce your students into this Latin style. Adios Azul is part of the collection called Vivir la Banda.

Adios Azul (Cumbia) Grade 2.5

This is an arrangement of the famous Sousa march Stars and Stripes Forever in the style of Colombian cumbia. The piece also contains the style of pasaje in the trio and portions of two other emblematic Colombian songs: Pueblito Viejo and Colombia Tierra Querida. This is a nice piece to honor the countries of Colombia and the United States.

The Stars And Stripes "a la Colombiana"

Volver a la Sonrisa (translates Back to the Smile), is a piece that portrays optimism and hope. Throughout the different sonorities of the flute and the marimba, as well as the predominant use of tonal harmony, the composer invites us to see our daily difficulties not as insurmountable obstacles, but as motives to get the better of them and make us stronger. No matter how hard and long our problems are, there is always hope and we shall find reasons to discover that everything can be better and that it is worth to smile again. The piece begins with a reflective, intimate, and spiritual-like section, as if someone was looking inside finding reasons to be happy. Then the piece becomes more festive and vibrant thanks to the use of rhythms from music of the Colombian pacific coast. In this section, we can observe moments when either the flute or the marimba are the protagonist, and moments with quick interactions between both instruments, as a way to invite us to find solutions through dialogue and good communication. Volver a la Sonrisa was commissioned in 2022 by Colombian musicians Catalina Ortega (flute) and Fernando Valencia (percussion), professors at the University of Arkansas.

Volver A La Sonrisa (for Flute and Marimba)

Entre Amigos AUDIO

LAS NO HAY ESTACIONES (The No Four Seasons)

A joyful piece for Clarinet Quartet and Symphonic Band.

LAS 'NO HAY' ESTACIONES - The No-Four Seasons, for clarinet quartet and wind band

Magical Forest

Tu Llegada is a little suite in three movements, and it was written in celebration of the birth of the composer’s first son, Emilio. 
1. Buenanueva (Good news)
2. Lo Inesperado (The Unexpected)
3. Plenitud (Plentitude)

Tu llegada, Little Suite for Band

Concertino Clarinete - Audio Midi

Piece for solo flute based on rhythms of the pacific coast of Colombia. 

Rondo Paci­fico

Chicamocha - Fantasía para Banda Sinfónica.

Chicamocha - Fantasía para Banda Sinfónica

A nice grade 3 cumbia for the band. The piece contains a clear first lively section, plus a lyrical section in minor, which is quite beneficial to develop both key areas and a strong musisianship.

A Bailar La Cumbia

Tone Poem for wind ensemble, inspired in the life of José María Acevedo y Gómez, also known as El solitario.

El Solitario (Tone Poem For Wind Ensemble) - Ruben Dario Gomez

This is a piece for solo trumpet and wind band based on three Colombian rhythms: pasillo, joropo, and mapalé. This piece was written by Rubén Darío Gómez and won the 1st prize in the National Composition Contest for Band in San Pedro, Valle (Colombia) in 2008.

Popular tracks by Ruben Dario Gomez