Isabella González Díaz finds Uganda’s rhythm through the French Horn

What the report says

Sqoop Uganda reports that Venezuelan-born composer, educator and French horn player Isabella González Díaz has created four new compositions with musicians from Uganda’s African Music School during a three-month residency in the country. The residency, which the report says began in May and is due to end in August, is being led through Musica Unita, a Scotland-registered charity founded and artistically directed by González Díaz, in partnership with the school.

The works are titled “Katuyimbe,” “In Our Hearts,” “Once Upon a Time” and “256,” the last referring to Uganda’s international telephone code. According to Sqoop Uganda, the collection blends contemporary Western composition with Ugandan communal performance practices, including choral voices, chants and live ensemble energy. “Katuyimbe” is described as drawing on echoes of the folk song “Kagutema,” while “In Our Hearts” is presented as more reflective and horn-led. “Once Upon a Time” and “256” are said to rely more heavily on wind instrumentation and formal structure.

The report frames the project as a collaboration linking González Díaz’s Venezuelan background and Scotland-based music work with Ugandan musicians’ local performance traditions. González Díaz is credited with composing, directing rehearsals and recording sessions, and performing French horn passages. Glasgow’s Glow Worm Recording Studios reportedly supplied equipment, building on an earlier professional connection with her work in Scotland.

Sqoop Uganda says the four pieces are expected to be released in August 2026. The project is significant as a cultural exchange effort and as an example of how wind and horn-led composition can be adapted through Ugandan voices, ensemble participation and shared performance rather than presented only as formal orchestral music.