The SCAR Grand Theater was packed this Sunday evening, the 11th, for the 21st edition of the Santa Catarina Music Festival (Femusc). The event not only moved the audience but also officially launched the programming for two historic milestones for the city: the 150th anniversary of Jaraguá do Sul and the 70th anniversary of SCAR.
Hundreds of people from various cities, states, and countries witnessed the start of this cycle of celebrations. The opening ceremony, featuring a magnificent musical repertoire, also served as the stage for the launch of the commemorative stamp marking Jaraguá do Sul’s 150th anniversary—a symbolic moment reinforcing the city’s commitment to its history and cultural future.
The presence of dignitaries underscored Femusc’s importance as a highlight on the cultural and social calendar. Invited to the stage were Monika Hufenüssler Conrads, President of the Femusc Institute; Mariana Werninghaus de Carvalho, Vice President for Culture; Andréia Voltolini, Vice President for Marketing; Maestro Alex Klein, Femusc Artistic Director; and Luis Leigue, President of the SCAR Administrative Board and the Organizing Committee for Jaraguá do Sul’s 150th anniversary.
Together, they welcomed the following officials: the Honorable Secretary of State for Agriculture and Livestock, Carlos Chiodini, representing the Governor of Santa Catarina, Jorginho Mello; the Mayor of Jaraguá do Sul, Jair Franzner; State Deputy Vicente Caropreso; Deputy Mayor João Pereira; and the President of the Jaraguá do Sul City Council, Charles Salvador. Performances of the Brazilian national anthem and the anthem of Jaraguá do Sul by the Femusc Orchestra and soloists further enriched the ceremony.
Monika Hufenüssler Conrads, president of the Femusc Institute, expressed the festival’s deep connection to the city and the world. “Here, music is not merely a performance. It is education. It is a meeting point. It is a common language bridging different cultures, generations, and histories. Femusc does not take place despite the city; it takes place because of the city. Jaraguá do Sul has embraced this festival from the very beginning, opening its doors, its institutions, and—above all—its community. A rare culture exists among us: a culture of collective effort, volunteerism, and commitment to the common good. It is from this spirit that institutions like SCAR—our major partner, which turns 70 in 2026—and Femusc were born. And it is this very spirit that explains why this festival has become a national and international benchmark.”
Meanwhile, Luis Leigue—president of the Organizing Committee for Jaraguá do Sul’s 150th anniversary and chairman of SCAR’s Administrative Council—highlighted the importance of collaboration among all parties. “It is a privilege to see the community of Jaraguá do Sul united through culture and the celebration of our history. The collaboration between SCAR, Femusc, and the city government—facilitated by the 150th Anniversary Committee—demonstrates the power of collective action in building a vision for our city’s future. This is a moment to reaffirm our commitment to the cultural development that has brought us this far and that will guide us in the years to come.”
The Mayor of Jaraguá do Sul, Jair Franzner, highlighted the significance of the festivities for the city. “Femusc is one of the largest and most important events in Latin America, and we are proud to host it here in Jaraguá do Sul. It boosts tourism and the economy and carries a strong educational component, transforming our city into a capital of music. Today, we celebrate the start of our city’s 150th-anniversary year—a city built through hard work, faith, courage, and unity. Together, we have reached this 150-year milestone, a historic achievement shaped by many. May this year be one of celebration, remembrance, and hope.”
The evening’s program delighted the audience with major works. A highlight was Alex Klein’s performance of Le Api (The Bees) by Antonino Pasculli. Klein—the only Brazilian to win five Grammy Awards in classical music and a former principal oboist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra—treated the audience to a virtuoso performance. A fascinating detail about the piece is that, at a crucial moment, the musician plays over three thousand notes in just three minutes without pausing for breath—a technical feat few in the world can achieve, and one that Alex Klein executed masterfully. Other memorable works included Astor Piazzolla’s Oblivion, Claude Debussy’s Sacred and Profane Dances, and Johann Sebastian Bach’s Concerto for Oboe, Violin, and Orchestra, transporting the audience across different musical eras and styles.
Femusc solidifies its position as Latin America’s largest classical music festival-school, attracting over 500 students from 21 countries and 18 Brazilian states.
The city of Jaraguá do Sul—which transformed from an agrarian economy into an industrial powerhouse during its centennial—is now reinventing itself through knowledge, creativity, and art, with SCAR (marking its 70th anniversary) serving as a fundamental pillar of this journey. FEMUSC stands as living proof that cultural excellence is an essential part of the city’s DNA and its vision for the future.
The 21st FEMUSC is presented under the Federal Government’s Culture Incentive Law, with Master Sponsorship from Itaú, Laranjinha Itaú, and WEG. It is sponsored by Portonave, DR Aromas & Ingredientes, Auroracoop, Grupo Elian, Zanotti Elásticos, Porto de Itapoá, and Posto Náutico Farol; receives Master support from Operações Portuárias, Mime, Grupo Menegotti, Martinelli Advogados, and Unisociesc; and is organized by SCAR, FEMUSC, the Department of Culture, Sports and Leisure, the Municipal Council for the Rights of Children and Adolescents of Jaraguá do Sul, and the Jaraguá do Sul City Government.
Event Details | 21st Femusc
When: Through January 24
Tickets: Free (limit of two per person/CPF) | Pick up at SCAR or online at femusc.com.br. The full schedule—including dates, times, venues, and access information—is available on the official website: 🔗www.femusc.com.br
Image credit: Diego Redel
