The Mérida State Symphony Orchestra (
Spanish: ''Orquesta Sinfónica del Estado Mérida'' or OSEM) is a
symphony orchestra
An orchestra (; ) is a large instrumental ensemble typical of classical music, which combines instruments from different families.
There are typically four main sections of instruments:
* bowed string instruments, such as the violin, viola, ce ...
based in the
Venezuelan city of
Mérida. A non-profit organization, it was founded in 1991 by the Venezuelan pianist and educator
José Antonio Abreu.
History
The orchestra was established on June 21, 1991 and evolved from the Mérida State Youth Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1978 as part of the
System of Youth Orchestras of Venezuela (FESNOJIV) and led by
José Antonio Abreu.
Its co-founder and first artistic director was
Amílcar Rivas. Between 1994 and 1997, its
Music Director
A music(al) director or director of music is the person responsible for the musical aspects of a performance, production, or organization. This would include the artistic director and usually chief conductor of an orchestra or concert band, the d ...
was
Sergio Bernal who extended the orchestra's repertoire of European and Latin American symphonic music. Between 1998 and 2001, the OSEM was led by
Felipe Izcaray who initiated major programs of community outreach and education which became a fundamental part of the orchestra's activities. César Iván Lara has been the orchestra's Music Director since January 2004.
In the 2006 season, the orchestra participated in many official events of the Mérida State Government,
University of the Andes, the FESNOJIV, and various municipalities, giving 39 symphony concerts and 108 teaching and chamber concerts in 21 municipalities in the
State of Mérida. In 1999 the OSEM was designated a ''Patrimonio Cultural del Estado Mérida'' (Cultural Patrimony of the State of Mérida).
The orchestra began its 20th anniversary year on January 15, 2011 with a performance of
Tchaikovsky's
Symphony No. 2 for the second annual Festival de Música de Mérida.
['' El Nacional'' (January 13, 2011)]
"Festival de Música de Mérida celebra su segunda edición"
See also
*
Venezuelan music
References
External links
Mérida State Symphony Orchestra Official Website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Merida State Symphony Orchestra
Musical groups established in 1991
Venezuelan orchestras
1991 establishments in Venezuela