Conductor Fernando Valcárcel led the National Symphony Orchestra of Peru in the Notas de Esperanza benefit concert at Colegio Humboldt on Thursday, August 13.
The performance raised funds for Asociación Creciendo, a Peruvian non-profit organization that has worked for 23 years to improve education for children and adolescents in Río Negro, Satipo, and Junín.
Violinist Jimena Burga and soprano Francisca Prudencio joined maestro Valcárcel and the national orchestra as featured performers for the charitable evening.
Wilhelm Pezet, a member of the board of directors of Asociación Creciendo, told La República that the charity originated when his father-in-law asked his wife to assist adolescents completing school in Villa Victoria. When she arrived with donated funds and gifts, she discovered the event was actually a primary school graduation.
Upon her return, the couple decided to launch a fundraising effort, starting with a traditional roasted lamb feast known as carnero al palo. Over the past two decades, the initiative has aided numerous children, with Pezet describing the August 13 concert as the most significant event in Creciendo's history due to the high quality of the artists.
Artist Responsibility and Musical Impact
Valcárcel stated that an artist's role extends beyond offering talent, voice, and music to supporting initiatives that enhance quality of life. He noted that the National Symphony Orchestra recently performed a benefit concert for MAGIA, an organization supporting children with cancer, before partnering with Creciendo for Notas de Esperanza.
The composer and pianist emphasized that music possesses an emotional reach and impact far stronger than any other art form because of its abstract and intangible nature. He observed growing enthusiasm among younger audiences seeking orchestral experiences that integrate classical and popular traditions, adding that while orchestral music embraces varied styles, uncompromising quality remains essential.
Valcárcel comes from a prominent Peruvian family of musicians and intellectuals. His father Edgar Valcárcel and his great-uncle Theodoro Valcárcel rank among Peru's most significant classical composers, while historian Luis E. Valcárcel and poet Alberto Valcárcel are also relatives.
The conductor explained that he never felt pressure from his family legacy, as his father instilled in him a deep respect for tradition that he carries with responsibility. He credited his rigorous musical education for keeping him focused on excellence rather than quick success or bohemian shortcuts, noting that the charity concert carried the exact same artistic standard as a non-benefit performance.
Educational Initiatives in Central Peru
Asociación Creciendo operates educational facilities including the Sondoveni Educational Complex, serving rural communities in the Junín Region. The organization relies entirely on voluntary support and private donations to maintain its programs for youth in Satipo and surrounding districts.
Valcárcel described Notas de Esperanza as deeply meaningful, noting that the program featured a selection of classical and popular works designed to inspire audiences. Organizers provided ticket and event information for supporters reaching out by phone at 956385497.
