Building Bridges: A Journey of Musical and Personal Growth
This was a dream coming true for the talented young musicians of the Sinfonía por el Perú Youth Orchestra when they crossed the ocean this late summer: Performing together with world-renowned tenor and founder of Sinfonía por el Perú, Juan Diego Flórez, at three of the most prestigious and important classical music venues: the Salzburg Festival in Austria, the Gstaad Menuhin Festival and Lucerne Festival in Switzerland.
Connecting to the established music world
On this European Tour, Gira 2022, it was all about building musical bridges: First, bridging the gap between a socially motivated music program from South America and the established music world of Europe, combined with the great challenge for young musicians to succeed musically on three world-famous festival’s stages. Secondly, collaborating with musicians of the Colombian "Iberacademy", another program supported by the Hilti Foundation, to reinforce the Youth Orchestra on their tour. And finally, taking the unique chance to perform together with world-renowned tenor and founder of Sinfonía por el Perú, Juan Diego Flórez, and one of the most promising young conductors of our time: Roberto González-Monjas who was able to endow the orchestra with the confidence that eventually led to an extraordinary artistic result, thanks to his great competence, empathy and tireless energy.
“I’ve seen a remarkable development in the young musicians. Well-prepared, they were so open and flexible to learn. The empowerment we have seen during this tour, contributes to the young people’s development, and enables them to overcome life’s challenges.”
Christine Rhomberg, Director Music for Social Change at the Hilti Foundation.
Gira 2022 – stages of the tour
The orchestra traveled to Salzburg, where it prepared for the upcoming performances during initial rehearsal days. Musical collaboration and extra-musical activities complemented the young artists' travel program and contributed to the experiential processes necessary to enrich their artistic education. Highlighting their stay in Salzburg was a performance at the prestigious Salzburg Festival, before the musicians continued their journey to Switzerland.
"Throughout the concert, you could feel the bond between the orchestra and the audience, who applauded at every performance. It is a custom of Salzburg audiences that when the applause does not do justice to the magnificence of a performance, they stamp their feet to express their enthusiasm. This happened up to three times during the musical program," commented Gabriela Perona, CEO of Sinfonía por el Perú, after the performance at the Salzburg Festival.
Switzerland welcomed the orchestra on two renowned stages: the Menuhin Festival Gstaad and the KKL Lucerne as part of the Lucerne Festival. There, the orchestra gave a masterful musical performance in front of an audience of 1,800 – the theater’s maximum capacity – that brought Peru to the forefront of the cultural and classical music scene.
Young talents as ambassadors
For the young musicians, the variety of activities and experiences that such a tour encompasses means not only an artistic experience, but also offers the opportunity for a strong personal development with radiance. As ambassadors of the program, so-called #EmbajadoresSPP, the members of the Youth Orchestra represented not only the impressive artistic quality of their music, but also the message of music for social change.
For the young musicians, the variety of activities and experiences that such a tour encompasses means not only an artistic experience, but also offers the opportunity for a strong personal development with radiance.
“In Sinfonía por el Perú, they find a family, they find a group. They know that they can do things alone, but together they can change the world,” says Juan Diego Flórez, describing the importance of social music programs like Sinfonía por el Perú for their participants.
With the #SinfoniaPorUnMundoMejor movement, they also convey a message of hope and the opportunities that music as a transformative force can bring to the lives of many children and youth. In doing so, they were also representing the more than 5,000 members that Sinfonía por el Perú currently has.
Methodology of the Music for Social Change programs
Unlike in traditional music schools, the children and young people learn musical fundamentals in small groups and soon become part of an ensemble or an orchestra. They learn that everyone counts in an ensemble, and often they become aware of their importance for the first time in their lives. Young people grow into active listeners, gain self-confidence, and learn about responsibility and reliability. This helps them overcome some of the major challenges that prevent children and young people from reaching their full potential.
About Sinfonía por el Perú
Sinfonía por el Perú is one of the Hilti Foundation’s most important programs in its «Music for Social Change» focus area. The program is based on clear objectives, a well-thought-out strategy, and a constant striving for excellence. With a concept of collaborative and participatory learning, the young musicians not only develop their talent, but also their social skills, a sense of mutual responsibility and self-confidence that enables them to make conscious decisions at a young age. Since its inception in 2011, the program has been able to provide thousands of children and young people with an education for life, and has also been scientifically proven to positively impact their families and society.
About Iberacademy
The young musicians studying at the Iberacademy understand excellence not only as a leitmotif in music, but it determines their entire work in and through music. Through a holistic education that goes far beyond the mastery of an instrument, a new generation of young musicians is emerging. They live all aspects of being a musician and thus find a broad perspective of professional opportunities – in and through music. This also includes the ability to contribute to social change in society with their musical talent. The Hilti Foundation has supported the Iberacademy since its inception in 2011 and, as a strategic partner, makes a significant contribution to the program's further development.