This Thursday (25th), the Cine-Theatro Central will host, for the first time, the Rio de Janeiro Youth Symphony Orchestra, starting at 8pm. As a result of the Social Action for Brazilian Music (ASMB) project, the orchestra is made up of 55 young people, aged between 15 and 28, and has performed a series of performances to celebrate its ten years. Tickets are free and can be collected at the theater box office.
The Rio de Janeiro Youth Symphony Orchestra emerged ten years ago, precisely because of the work developed by ASMB in city communities, especially in Rio de Janeiro, but with actions also in Petrópolis, Ji-Paraná, Rondônia and João Pessoa, in Paraíba. Currently, there are around 4,406 students, between 6 and 18 years old, and the project should expand to Campo Grande, in Mato Grosso do Sul.
It started as a simple orchestra, with those who had already been through the ASMB. Little by little, the orchestra grew, both in size and professionalism. “They (the participants) stayed, started going to college, studying music formally, and ended up becoming project monitors. We felt compelled to then create an orchestra for them. That was ten years ago”, says Fiorella Soares, director of the orchestra.
Currently, the social project is present in 20 communities in Rio de Janeiro. Through the work developed in them, through music, many participants found themselves in the area, with the desire to become professionals. According to Fiorella, the purpose of social action is not to create an academy or a conservatory. “Nothing that is formal music teaching. But, yes, the intention is to promote inclusion through learning classical music.”
People who did not go through the action also make up the Rio de Janeiro Youth Symphony Orchestra, as, over the years, it has expanded its space and its activities. “Our students who went through the Social Action for Brazilian Music occupy leadership positions in the orchestra, and in the action as well. But several others came from college, from churches, with the intention of actually training and becoming professionals. It is a multifaceted orchestra, with people from different spaces and territories. And, in fact, the majority live in Rio de Janeiro communities”, explains Fiorella.
About a year ago, the orchestra became a resident of the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio). “This is what kept our group from dying”, believes Fiorella. What actually maintains the organization are the incentive laws and, now, this partnership, which still guarantees half of the scholarships that students receive for subsidies. For Fiorella, this is fundamental to strengthening the participants’ relationship with classical music and their maintenance in the orchestra.
Professionalism
Contrary to what one imagines when one thinks of a youth orchestra, the proposal of the Rio de Janeiro Youth Symphony Orchestra is to present a professional repertoire, “of a high level”, as Fiorella says. “Because when people enter the ensemble, they already have a high level just by being there. The repertoire is professional, and this in a student orchestra. And it is interesting to also think about the difficulties that members face as residents of communities that have their own vulnerabilities. Despite this, they continue with the music.”
To go deeper and continue training, both for audiences and musicians, Fiorella says that residents are invited to attend concerts in various locations in Rio de Janeiro. “It ends up that they are really interested and want to be musicians too. When they enter the orchestra, life is already transformed. With each concert that takes place, they become more passionate about music. And we for them. That’s why it’s a vibrant orchestra. They are vibrant young people who are involved in what they do. It’s impactful.”
Exchanges with renowned musicians also take place, and are important to maintain the proposed level of performance. Cláudio Cruz conducts the Rio de Janeiro Youth Symphony Orchestra, who acts as a guest in several important orchestras in Brazil, such as the São Paulo State Symphony Orchestra (Osesp), and also internationally, such as the Toulouse Chamber Orchestra, among many others. In addition, there is also the participation of soloist Joel Gisiger, one of the main names in Oboe today in Brazil, currently a professor at the São Paulo Municipal School of Music and the Osesp Academy. They will present the works of Carl Maria Von Weber, Richard Strauss and Robert Schumann.
Check out the program of the Rio de Janeiro Youth Symphony Orchestra
Carl Maria Von Weber (1786 – 1826)
“Der Freischütz”: Opening
Richard Strauss (1864 – 1949)
Concerto in D Major for Oboe and Orchestra, AV 144, TrV 292
I. “Allegro Moderato”
II. “Walking”
III. “Vivace – Allegro”
– interval –
Robert Schumann (1810 – 1856)
Symphony No. 3 in E Flat Major, Op. 97, “Renana”
I. “Lebhaft”
II. “Scherzo – Sehr mässig”
III. “Nicht schnell”
IV. “Feierlich”
V. “Lebhaft – Schneller”
Tags: Rio Janeiro Youth Symphony Orchestra performs Thursday
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