Colombian Youth Orchestra Heads to World Championship in Netherlands

The Banda Sinfónica Juvenil de Caldas is set to represent Colombia on the world stage at the prestigious World Music Contest (WMC) in Kerkrade, Netherlands. This acclaimed youth orchestra, comprised of 54 talented musicians aged 11 to 18, all drawn from public educational institutions in the Caldas department, will compete in the youth category. They are among three Colombian bands participating in the event, with others competing in different sections.

Their journey to the WMC is the culmination of years of dedicated preparation, commitment, and institutional support that has transformed musical training into a development engine for young people. The band has a remarkable track record, having won numerous national competitions and several international accolades in recent years. Their victories include contests in Anapoima, Tocancipá, La Vega, Samaniego, Paipa, and San Pedro, as well as international championships in Galicia, Spain, and the Dominican Republic.

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This participation is the result of years of preparation, commitment and an institutional bet that has turned musical training into a development engine for thousands of children and young people. We decided to go for culture and music, we strengthened the program and secured the resources so they could go and compete with all tranquility. The band is prepared and has all the conditions and guarantees.

Governor Henry Gutiérrez of Caldas expressed his pride and support, highlighting the program's success in fostering talent and providing opportunities. "This participation is the result of years of preparation, commitment and an institutional bet that has turned musical training into a development engine for thousands of children and young people," he stated. The governor emphasized that the band is well-prepared and has the necessary resources and guarantees to compete at the highest level. The orchestra's coordinator and director, Juan Sebastián Velasco Serna, underscored that the selection comprises the best young musicians from the department, all linked to public schools, showcasing the strength of public education in nurturing artistic talent.

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As preparation, two years ago we were in Denia, Spain, with some kids, they trained doing an exchange. Three years ago we were in Valencia, Spain, on a tour.