On November 11, 2007 our longtime friend and colleague died suddenly in Guatemala City, where he had lived for the past five years.  Humberto held the position of Associate Conductor of the Maryland Youth Symphony Orchestra for thirty years, and had accompanied the orchestra on every concert tour from Taiwan (1987) to China (2002).  After returning from China, he left Baltimore to marry and settle in his native country.

Humberto will be remembered for his great love and knowledge of music which he happily shared with orchestra members, his sense of humor and cheerful disposition, his love and enthusiasm for travel, and an erudite knowledge of the arts and humanities which made him an engaging conversationalist.

Humberto was born in Guatemala where he received his master’s degree as a violist, composer and orchestra conductor from the National Conservatory of Music in Guatemala City.  At the Conservatory he taught viola and played principal viola in the National Symphony Orchestra of Guatemala.

In 1956 he moved to Nova Scotia, Canada to play with the Halifax Symphony where he held the position of Principal Viola and Assistant Conductor.  He came to Baltimore in 1960 and played for three years with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.  Returning to Guatemala in 1963, he spent four years in the position of Assistant Conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra.  In 1967, Humberto returned to Baltimore and played viola with The BSO until his resignation in 1978.

Humberto did extensive research of the Guatemalan composer, José Eulalio Samayoa and was able to find two of his seven symphonies and some chamber works.  The symphony No. 7 in E flat Major premiered on May 11, 1985 by the Annapolis Symphony under the baton of Peter Bay in the Pan American Union Hall in Washington, D.C.

Humberto performed and taught throughout the Baltimore Washington area.  In addition to his music, he was a gifted artist specializing in water colors and calligraphy.

The last concert of the MYSO season (May 18) will be dedicated to our sorely missed friend.