When he joined the Instituto Moinho Cultural Sul-Americano (South American Moinho Cultural Institute) in 2012, Valério Garcia Navis dos Reis was 8 years old and could not have imagined that one day he would be selected to take part in an exchange program with the Orquestra Sinfônica Brasileira (Brazilian Symphony Orchestra), based in Rio de Janeiro.‌

At Moinho Cultural, from that very first day, he went through ballet and technology classes until he found his way to music. And it was in music that he found himself. “I tried several instruments and connected with the cello at 11 years old. From then on, I began studying with teacher Emanuel Teixeira and, that same year, joined the Institute’s orchestra,” he recalls.‌

Valério’s first contact with the OSB (Orquestra Sinfônica Brasileira) happened in 2019. It was around that time that he also had classes specifically with a cello teacher, Lisiane de Los Santos. “From the start, I never had a cello teacher. I learned from a violin teacher and I’m very grateful to him for teaching me what he knew and for believing in me,” said the musician.‌

And it was after that contact that the dream of playing with the OSB grew (a lot). His first concert with the Orquestra Sinfônica Brasileira, a longtime partner of Moinho Cultural thanks to the Programa Vale Música (Vale Música Program), was in 2022, at the Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro, one of the country’s leading and most iconic stages.‌

“And now, I’m making this dream come true, which is to study with the best musicians in Brazil and play with them. It’s the fulfillment of a long-held dream. It’s a huge achievement for me, as a musician, for the Instituto Moinho Cultural, for having trained me, and also for Corumbá, for having one of its own experiencing being with the Orquestra Sinfônica Brasileira,” says the cellist, moved.‌

Valério is the first musician trained at Moinho Cultural to join the OSB’s long-term residency program, which is recognized as one of the country’s most important symphonic ensembles and has more than 80 years of history. The long-term residency lasts six months and, at the end, the participants perform in a concert together with the OSB’s professional musicians.‌

The selection process

The musician from Corumbá was selected through a rigorous selection process, which lasted about three months and included several stages: application, selection, videos and in-person selection. Instrumentalists participating in orchestras from the hubs served by Conexões Musicais (Musical Connections) – a project to democratize access to concert music, run by the Fundação OSB since 2017 and which has already promoted educational and cultural activities in about 30 Brazilian municipalities, were eligible to apply.‌

Valério is the first musician trained at Moinho Cultural to join the OSB’s long-term residency program, which is recognized as one of the country’s most important symphonic ensembles and has more than 80 years of history. The long-term residency lasts six months and, at the end, the participants perform in a concert together with the OSB’s professional musicians.

Violinist and OSB artistic director Nikolay Sapoundjiev came to Corumbá to follow the selection process. He says the long-term residency program has existed for seven years. “Starting in June, Valério will be a member of the Orquestra Sinfônica Brasileira, experiencing everyday life as our colleague, taking part in all rehearsals and all concerts. At the same time, he’ll have instrument classes with our section leaders there. We hope this experience adds a great deal to his life,” he said.