The festival-school fosters exchange among teachers from different countries and brings world-renowned figures to the stage of the SCAR Grand Theater. A concert featuring works by Dvořák and Tchaikovsky marks the event debut of Korean-American cellist Minna Chung.
In addition to fostering exchange among young musicians from around the globe, the Santa Catarina International Music Festival (FEMUSC) has established itself as a prime venue for interaction among faculty members hailing from diverse countries and artistic backgrounds. This aspect takes center stage in the program for Tuesday, January 20, featuring a concert that brings festival faculty together on the stage of the SCAR Grand Theater in Jaraguá do Sul (Santa Catarina) at 8:30 PM.
The evening’s program includes Antonín Dvořák’s Serenade for Winds—conducted by British musician Gordon Hunt—and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence. These works will be performed by FEMUSC faculty members, including members of the Arianna String Quartet and Korean-American cellist Minna Chung, who is participating in the festival for the first time.
For FEMUSC Artistic Director Alex Klein, the gathering of faculty from different countries is one of the event’s standout features. “It is a privilege to work with some of the finest names in international music,” he notes. “This networking among faculty members has a direct impact on student development and creates a learning environment that extends far beyond the classroom.”
First time at FEMUSC
Internationally recognized for her academic and artistic work, Minna Chung notes that what struck her most upon arriving at the festival was the welcoming and collaborative atmosphere. “Even though I arrived without knowing anyone,
I was immediately welcomed by colleagues. Within a few days, I was already sharing music, conversations, and even moments outside of rehearsals. Latin culture has a strong sense of community and mutual care, and this is directly reflected in the way the music is created here,” she states.
The cellist also highlights the importance of the musical experience, particularly the collaborative process among musicians. “The most important thing is the joy of the process. Sometimes someone brings a strong idea, others follow, and everything flows because we remain flexible and attentive to what the music calls for. In works like Souvenir de Florence, this is essential: listening, dialogue, and a lack of ego. It is truly special.”
Training, listening, and performance
Leading the FEMUSC Advanced Wind Orchestra, conductor Gordon Hunt highlights that the challenge of conducting at a festival-school lies precisely in balancing training with artistic excellence. “The goal is to encourage young musicians to give their best, but also to listen to one another and respond musically in a way that aligns with the composer’s vision. This collective listening is fundamental to music,” he observes.
Hunt also emphasizes the festival’s setting: “It is inspiring to be at FEMUSC, in a welcoming city like Jaraguá do Sul, surrounded by such beautiful scenery. It is an ideal place to share experiences, learn music, and present performances to the public,” Hunt adds.
The concert takes place at 8:30 PM at the SCAR Grand Theater; admission is free, subject to venue capacity.
About FEMUSC
FEMUSC is Latin America’s largest classical music festival and educational program. Marking its 21st anniversary in 2026, the Santa Catarina International Music Festival brings together around 600 students from nearly every Brazilian state and 21 countries—from January 11 to 24—for 14 days of learning, cultural exchange, and abundant music alongside faculty members from the world’s most renowned orchestras. The community of Jaraguá do Sul and the surrounding region enthusiastically embraces the festival, packing the 230 free concerts held at the SCAR Cultural Center and various venues across the city; the event reaches an audience of over 30,000 people, leaving a lasting legacy in the region and in the lives of every student. For more information, visit 🔗 www.femusc.com.br.
The 21st FEMUSC is presented under the Federal Government’s Rouanet Law for Cultural Project Incentives. It features Master Sponsorship from Itaú, Laranjinha Itaú, and WEG; sponsorship from DR Aromas & Ingredientes, Auroracoop, Grupo Elian, Zanotti Elásticos, and Porto de Itapoá; support from Master Operações Portuárias, Mime, Menegotti, Martinelli Advogados, and Unisociesc; and is organized by SCAR, FEMUSC, the Department of Culture, Sports and Leisure, and the Jaraguá do Sul City Hall.
Image credit: Diego Redel
