Young Peruvian Voices to Echo in Vienna
Sinfonía por el Perú Youth Choir to Participate in Summa Cum Laude Choir Competition
A dream come true for the Sinfonía por el Perú Youth Choir: They will take a big leap forward by participating in their first global competition - Summa Cum Laude. From July 5 to 10, a group of 30 talented young singers will travel to Vienna, the world capital of classical music, to compete in the 16th edition of Europe's most important youth music festival.
One of these singers is Anderson Príncipe, who balances his time between his job as a construction worker with freestyle championships and rehearsals for Vienna.
"It's not just about representing your country, but also your ensemble. I don't let myself get overwhelmed and try to spread the same spirit to my teammates. I tell them we need to sing with joy and show the world how much we are enjoying this opportunity," he says.
As rehearsals intensify, choirmaster Juan Carlos Bersague, highlights the commitment of his members. "We are going to represent Sinfonía with a very demanding repertoire because I know they can do it. I want them to experience how a high-level competition works and to understand that every single one is important in the group," says the maestro.
Vienna’s historic Wiener Musikverein will be one of the venues for Summa Cum Laude. The main hall is famous for its acoustics, ranked among the top three performance spaces in the world. There, the members of Sinfonía will be able to showcase everything they have learned.
A symphony that transforms
Since 2013, the Hilti Foundation has supported Sinfonía por el Perú (SPP) in its mission to transform the lives of thousands of at-risk children and youth in Peru. Sinfonía’s ongoing support has enabled the cultivation of key skills such as teamwork, social responsibility, perseverance and self-confidence. Values and abilities, which translate into a positive impact on the kid’s daily lives, enable them to face future challenges with greater determination.
Christine Rhomberg, director of Community Arts & Culture at the Hilti Foundation, emphasizes that the members of the youth choir are remarkable individuals with many talents, but it is the lack of opportunities that often stands in the way of their development.
"Our aim is to offer them the opportunities to overcome educational inequality, and help them to develop their full potential . It’s about empowering young people, using music as a means for social change," she explains.
She fondly recalls the story of a young SPP member from a highly vulnerable district in Lima. His talent, but also his personal consistency, made it possible for him to successfully complete a music degree while also becoming a role model for his entire family.
For Fabiana Raunelli, manager of the main ensembles at SPP, music is the path to social innovation because it helps members redirect their life stories and make better decisions in the future. "This can be done in many ways, but our bet is on music," she emphasizes.
About Summa Cum Laude
The Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival in Vienna is Europe's most important event for choirs, bands and orchestras. It is held under the patronage of the Austrian Commission for UNESCO and the Federal President of the Republic of Austria. This year, the competition will be held in the prestigious Golden Hall of the Musikverein and judged by renowned music professionals. After Vienna, the Sinfonía por el Perú Youth Choir will continue their tour in Austria, visiting cities including Bregenz and Salzburg.
Get tickets for their performance in Feldkirch on Sunday, July 14 here.