Brazilian band to perform at Bliss
This coming Friday night at the Bliss, the Orquestra de Cordas de Grota, known as the String Orchestra of Grota, from Brazil will be performing and showcasing their talent. The group comprises mainly of underprivileged kids who find refuge in the arts. Brazil is known for its favellas particularly in the Rio de Janiero area where the level of poverty has made those areas the breeding ground for gang violence and crime. Brazil’s Ambassador to Belize, Roberto Coutinho, says that the group is full of talented musicians.
Roberto Coutinho, Brazilian Ambassador to Belize
“There are two interesting features in this group. The first is that they are very talented musicians. But second and also important is that they come from a poor community. They are being helped by a community project. The director of the orchestra is in fact the son of the founder of this community project, a poor community. And these guys could have a new prospect in life because of music.”
Marcio Selles, Director, String Orchestra of Grota
“In 1995 I started doing record class and then violin class and so it grow, grow, grow, grow and now—I start with just four students and now I have about two hundred students. Some of them are in university studying music and others.”
Duane Moody
“I understand that some of these youngsters are unprivileged as in they don’t have money and all of that, could you explain some more about that?”
Marcio Selles
“Yes, most of these people totally, totally. They come from a very poor community and low income tax. They have no opportunity. School is not good. Some are out of school totally. So I think the music was one opportunity to get them better in school, now get better and a better life.”
Proceeds from the concert will be donated to the Beverly Smith-Lopez Endowment Fund and the Pallotti School of Music. The concert starts at eight p.m. and tickets are available at the Bliss for sale. General admission is ten dollars and reserve, fifteen. An encore performance at George Price Centre in Belmopan City which will be free of cost.
