Peter Croton Mittlere Strasse 140 CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland petercroton@gmail.com www.peter-croton.com August 20th, 2020 To the Fundación Zaldumbide Rosales It is my great pleasure to write to you regarding a possible scholarship for MATEO JUMBO PORRAS. I’ve known Mateo since he was 13-years old, when he contacted me concerning the possibility of future lute studies at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis. Already at that young age he knew that his calling was to be a lute player, and he devoted himself to this pursuit. Due to the lack of lute teachers in Ecuador, Mateo devoted himself to learning lute through self-research, videos and recordings, in addition to an occasional internet lesson with me. He developed so well, that at the age of 19 he passed the rigorous and competitive entrance exam at the worldrenowned Schola Cantorum Basiliensis and was given a place in my class of future stars in the lute world. Given the chance for regular lessons, he continued to work in a highly motivated manner and developed into an excellent lutenist with good prospects for a future in the profession. Mateo would now like to complete his Bachelor’s Degree at the Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences in Switzerland, where I am also a lute teacher. Mateo has already done the entrance exam, and because of his talent and ability was easily accepted into the school and he will be able to finish his Bachelor’s Degree in one year. However, the costs have inhibited Mateo from starting his last year of studies. I strongly recommend that Mateo receives one of your scholarships, for not only will he most likely have an impact on the lute and early music world, but I see him becoming an important figure in the lute and early music scene in Ecuador. He is an unusually talented, devoted and motivated young man. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require additional information. With many thanks and best wishes, Peter Croton Schola Cantorum Basiliensis Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, Department of Music President of the German Lute Society