Activities 2025–2026
The organisation’s work in Cuba began in March 2025. What started with first workshops and personal contacts has developed into an ongoing collaboration with musicians, teachers and institutions in Havana, Matanzas, Cienfuegos and Santa Clara.
Through five project visits, the work has grown across four main areas: teaching, instrument repair, material donations and direct personal exchange.
At a glance
Five project visits to Cuba between 2025 and 2026
Teaching and masterclasses for young percussionists
Repair and maintenance of timpani, snare drums and keyboard percussion instruments
Donations of drumsticks, mallets, drumheads, small percussion instruments and timpani chairs
Collaboration with music schools, orchestras and cultural institutions
First humanitarian food distribution in Jacomino in June 2026 and continuing regularly since August 2026
March 2025 — First contacts
The first project visit created the foundation for a longer collaboration in Cuba. Norbert Himstedt met musicians from the Orquesta del Lyceum de La Habana and teachers from the Conservatorio Amadeo Roldán.
The first workshops focused on orchestral percussion. Drumsticks were donated to the orchestra and to participating musicians. Most importantly, the visit made it possible to understand the practical needs of students, teachers and professional players on site.
May 2025 — From workshops to the concert stage
From 5 to 21 May 2025, the collaboration continued with musicians from the Orquesta del Lyceum de La Habana, students and teachers from the Escuela Nacional de Música and the Conservatorio Amadeo Roldán.
Together with the percussion section of the Lyceum Orchestra, Norbert Himstedt worked on orchestral repertoire including Capriccio Espagnol by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini by Sergei Rachmaninoff.
Further masterclasses focused on orchestral percussion and practical playing. Donations included a glockenspiel, drumsticks and small percussion instruments supplied by Kolberg Percussion and Steiner Superior Mallets.
October 2025 — Teaching, exchange and practical aid
The third project visit took place from 10 to 31 October 2025. It included masterclasses at the Conservatorio Amadeo Roldán, first teaching sessions at the Universidad de las Artes and a class in timpani and symphonic percussion at the Oratorio San Felipe Neri.
During this visit, timpani, snare-drum and keyboard mallets donated by luthier and percussionist Andreas Steiner were distributed together with further drumsticks. Basic hygiene items and medical supplies were also handed over through trusted local contacts.
A special meeting at Galería Los Oficios brought together different generations of Cuban percussionists from symphonic and popular traditions. The exchange created space for conversation, learning and future collaboration.
January–February 2026 — Building continuity
During a longer stay from 12 January to 17 February 2026, the work became more regular. Masterclasses and individual lessons took place at the Conservatorio Amadeo Roldán and the Universidad de las Artes, usually twice a week.
A teaching plan for orchestral percussion was developed around international standards and common audition repertoire. Musicians from the Orquesta del Lyceum de La Habana also received individual support in audition preparation and orchestral playing.
Around 20 timpani and snare-drum heads were transported from Austria to Cuba with the help of Alejandro Aguiar. Together with Reinaldo Ponce, Norbert Himstedt repaired snare drums, hand-tuned timpani and several complete sets of timpani in Havana.
The work also expanded to Matanzas. At the Escuela Profesional de Arte de Matanzas, lessons and a demonstration were combined with the repair of seven timpani and one xylophone. Drumsticks and replacement heads were donated to the school, and further drumsticks were provided to the Orquesta Sinfónica de Matanzas.
June 2026 — Work across four cities
The fifth project visit extended the work to Havana, Cienfuegos, Santa Clara and Matanzas.
At the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Cuba and the Universidad de las Artes, repair work was combined with workshops on timpani maintenance and care. In Cienfuegos, the work focused on historical Pochard timpani from Leipzig, dating from around 1890. Drumheads and drumsticks were donated to the Escuela de Arte Benny Moré.
In Santa Clara, masterclasses and repairs led to the discovery of historical baroque timpani dating from around 1780. In Matanzas, the work continued with individual lessons, concerts, further timpani repairs and the restoration of a Premier marimbaphone.
Back in Havana, hydraulic timpani chairs were donated to the Conservatorio Amadeo Roldán and the Universidad de las Artes. Further repairs and workshops also took place at the Conservatorio Guillermo Tomás in Guanabacoa.
June 2026 also marked the first humanitarian food distribution organised through the Norbert Himstedt Organisation. In Jacomino, twenty families received rice, beans, sugar and sunflower oil. Additional food was distributed to individuals in need on the streets. The distribution was coordinated locally with the Sinai Baptist Church in Jacomino.
Meetings with representatives of the Universidad de las Artes and the Instituto Cubano de la Música opened discussions about possible future academic cooperation.
Since August 2026 — Second food support action
In August 2026, a second food support action was launched in Jacomino, building on the first distribution in June.
The aim is now to support families and elderly people in need on a more regular basis.
This step marks the beginning of a more continuous humanitarian effort alongside the organisation’s musical and educational work.
Continuing the work
Across five visits, the project has developed from initial workshops into an ongoing collaboration built on teaching, repair knowledge, instrument aid, institutional dialogue and direct community support.
The next step is to deepen these relationships and continue responding to needs identified together with the people and institutions involved.