There is something remarkable about hearing a full orchestra play — the strings rising together, the woodwinds answering, the percussion bringing everything home. It is even more remarkable when the musicians are children and young people still learning their craft.
In a collaboration between Dr. Edgar Girtain of the music department at Western Colorado University and Alonso Ojeda, a Chilean music director, music students from southern Chile will spend a week on campus at Western Colorado University, experiencing Gunnison hospitality and staying with host families. The musicians will perform both on campus and out in the Gunnison community.
That is the story behind the Orquesta Sinfónica del Colegio Bicentenario Domingo Santa María in Puerto Montt, Chile and their visit to Gunnison.
This ensemble has spent more than a decade allowing students to discover what can happen when individual musicians learn to play as one.
Alonso Ojeda, Head of the Music Department at the Colegio Bicentenario Domingo Santa María
told the Gunnison Country Times, "The artistic residency at Western Colorado University represents a dream built through the commitment of many people. For several months, our students have taken part in rehearsals, fundraising activities, and musical preparation. Their parents and guardians have made a tremendous effort to make this journey from Puerto Montt to Gunnison possible.
"The dedication of our teaching staff, the support of our Parents’ Association, and the backing of our principal, Mr. Pablo Díaz, and Corporación Educacional Ralún have also been essential. Every person has contributed time, work, and trust to this project.
"Our greatest challenge has been coordinating a delegation of nearly 50 people, including travel documents, transportation, accommodations, rehearsals, and communication with families. Despite these challenges, everyone has remained focused on the educational and cultural value of this experience.
"We hope our students will share Chilean music and culture, learn from the students and faculty in Gunnison, and build meaningful connections through music. For our orchestra and school community, this residency will be an experience that our young musicians will remember throughout their lives."
The orchestra was founded in 2013 as an artistic and cultural project of the school, to develop young musicians and strengthen its students' musical talents. Within several years, the ensemble had grown to roughly 60 participants and was performing on some of Chile’s important stages.
Its ambitions have extended well beyond the school grounds.
Girtain said the orchestra will perform on the Western campus and in St. Peter's Catholic Church in Gunnison. A traditional Chilean meal will be prepared and served to the community with the help of Juntos por Gunnison. While the menu has not been finalized, Chilean cuisine is a rich blend of Mapuche traditions, Spanish colonial staples, and European influences.
There will be 42 music students and staff visiting, and Girtain is seeking host families who can accommodate them for eight nights. The visiting musicians have covered the $1,300 airfare and are hopeful that Gunnison residents can assist with providing overnight accommodations.
In 2025, the orchestra was selected to participate in the XIX Festival Fernando Rosas, organized by Chile’s Fundación de Orquestas Juveniles e Infantiles.
The orchestra has also been part of Puerto Montt’s community cultural life, performing alongside other ensembles at public concerts and celebrations. In 2025, for example, the Municipalidad de Puerto Montt listed the orchestra for a concert with the Karlsruhe Choir at the Teatro Diego Rivera.
There they learn the lessons that orchestral music demands: listening to one another, showing up, practicing difficult passages, and understanding that an individual performance matters because of its place within something larger.
In that sense, the Domingo Santa María orchestra is about more than producing good musicians. It is teaching young people the uncommon art of making something beautiful together.
The Gunnison Country Times will have details regarding the orchestra's visit as they become available.
Check out the Orquesta Sinfónica del Colegio Bicentenario Domingo Santa María at:
https://www.instagram.com/colegiodsm?stkn=bHFmNmJ0OWhyZDJo
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/share/17SXy3u1o2/?mibextid=wwXIfr
For more information or to host one of the students for a week, get in touch with Dr. Girtain at Western’s music department at egirtain@western.edu, call 970-943-2162, or text 732-659-0028.
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