Chile’s President and First Lady bid farewell to musicians from the Youth and Children's Orchestras Foundation of Chile (FOJI) as they start a tour of Africa and Europe
The musicians will reach an audience of 15,000 people during 11 concerts scheduled at leading theaters in Morocco, Germany and Spain between July 20 and August 9.
In a touching ceremony at La Moneda Palace, President Sebastian Piñera and Cecilia Morel, Chile’s First Lady and the President of the Youth and Children's Orchestras Foundation, bade farewell to 80 young musicians who will be departing on July 20 for a tour of Africa and Europe.
Also in attendance were the eleven corporate sponsors who have made the tour possible, officials from the world of culture, the young musicians in the orchestra and its Executive Director, Alejandra Kantor. All of them witnessed the launch of the postage stamp created by CorreosChile. The stamp is a tribute to the foundation’s musical legacy to Chile throughout its history.
“We want to bid them farewell at the home of all Chileans and we hope this tour will be an opportunity for personal and musical growth. We are very proud that this orchestra is representing us for the first time on African soil,” said First Lady Cecilia Morel.
The schedule is intense with 11 National Youth Symphony Orchestra (OSNJ) concerts between July 20 and August 9 (21 days). Accompanied by the Musical Director, acclaimed Chilean master, Maximiano Valdés and Chilean guitarist, Luis Orladini, the musicians will perform at leading theaters in Morocco, Germany and Spain. This is the second tour; the first took place during President Piñera’s first term in 2012.
The official setlist features a universal, Latin American and Chilean symphonic repertoire. Highlights include Dimitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, Festive Overture by Juan Orrego Salas, Concerto for Guitar and Small Orchestra by Heitor Villa Lobos, Symphony No. 3 Eroica by Ludwig van Beethoven, as well as the world premiere of Retratos Australes by Miguel Farias, a piece commissioned for the tour.
A total of 15,000 people are expected to applaud the National Youth Symphony Orchestra performances on Europe’s main stages.
“The 2012 European Tour had an enormous social impact on the young musicians. They showcased their talent while broadening their world view with cultural and social development experiences. That is why we wanted to do it again. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for these talented young people,” said the First Lady and FOJI President, Cecilia Morel.
“From the last tour, I remember Nicolás Carrasco, the talented clarinet player from Valdivia, who is now studying for his masters at Philadelphia University and Inés Vega, the violinist from the Universidad de Talca, who is now specializing in Germany,” said the First Lady.
Alejandra Kantor added, “they commissioned the accomplished Chilean composer, Miguel Farías, to write a special musical piece called Retratos Australes, which will be premiered in Berlin. This is a requirement of the terms of the demanding Young Euro Classic Festival.”
The Chief Executive Officer at CorreosChile, José Luis Rodríguez, said that the company is proud to participate in this commemorative event. He said, “for many young people, FOJI has been a fundamental platform for development in their lives, influencing them positively and stimulating them to explore their talents through music. We are therefore delighted to participate in this tribute through this stamp, which will remain engraved in the philatelic history of our country.”
The Youth and Children's Orchestras Foundation (FOJI), presided over by First Lady Cecilia Morel, is a nonprofit organization belonging to the network of Presidential foundations. The institution provides grants to child and young musicians. It also organizes courses for different instruments and conducting, interpretation competitions, festivals, concert seasons and competitive funds. The foundation brings together some of the best musicians from the National Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Metropolitan Region Student Orchestra, and the fifteen regional symphonies.
Playing Dreams Tour
Itinerary
July:
22 - Concert: Théâtre National Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco
23 - Concert: Casablanca, Morocco
26 - Concert: Kultur Sommer Nordhessen Festival, Kongresspalais, Kassel, Germany
29 - Concert: Young Euro Classic Festival, Konzerthaus, Berlin, Germany
31 - Madrid Summer Festival. Teatro Auditorio San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Madrid, Spain
August:
August 2-8: 6 concerts at the ADDA, Teulada-Moraira, and Torrevieja de Alicante auditoriums during Spain’s International Youth Orchestra Festival.