Statement of Condolence on the Passing of the maestro Miguel Astor Salazar (1958 – 2026)

Miguel Astor Salazar earned a Ph.D. in History, a Master of Science in Latin American Musicology (recognized as a Master of Arts by the University of Costa Rica), and a Bachelor of Arts from the Central University of Venezuela. He graduated as a Master Composer and Piano Performance Professor from the Juan José Landaeta National Conservatory of Music and earned a Diploma in Choral Conducting from El Sistema’s School of Choral Singing. His mentors included Antonio Mastrogiovanni and Modesta Bor (Composition), Alberto Grau (Choral Conducting), and Teresa Cos (Piano), among others. Honorary Professor at the National Experimental University of the Arts (UNEARTE). Retired Full Professor at the Central University of Venezuela, the Juan José Landaeta National Conservatory of Music, and the Pedro Nolasco Colón School of Music. Director and Founder of the Cantoría de Caracas.

His work as a composer has earned him significant national and international recognition. He won the prize at the 6th Amadeus International Choral Composition Competition for mixed voices with his piece O sacrum convivium. He also received the Faculty Research Award from the UCV’s School of Humanities and Education and the Lina Parenti de Educación Musical Award, presented by the Mayor’s Office of the Mayor's Office of the Municipio Libertador.

He is the author of A Phenomenological Approach to the Musical Work of Gonzalo Castellanos Yumar, Simiente sonora (50 Years of the Venezuela Choir), Counterpoint for Today, and Harmony for Today, to name a few. He edited the choral arrangements by Rafael Suárez published by the Vicente Emilio Sojo Foundation.

His works have been performed by various ensembles around the world, including the renowned Los Angeles Master Chorale at Walt Disney Concert Hall. His Venezuelan waltz Adriana was used as one of the Grade 8 exam pieces by the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music in the United Kingdom (2017–2018).