by Líber Oscher
On May 14, 2025, the National System of Youth and Children's Orchestras and Choirs of Venezuela welcomed Sarah Willis—an authentic world ambassador of the horn, appreciated for her charismatic promotion of our instrument—for the second time to the city of Caracas. Hornist of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Sarah Willis has been developing a brilliant career as a soloist and teacher, being invited to be part of the world’s most prestigious festivals. On this occasion, the National School of Horn from El Sistema had the privilege of inaugurating a Brass Festival as part of its 50th anniversary, with a week of classes for children, young people, and professionals who participate in the various El Sistema groups.
For this occasion, the Executive Management, the Inocente Carreño Itinerant Conservatory, and the School Management of El Sistema joined efforts to gather more than 70 horns from the capital district and surrounding states to benefit from this unforgettable experience, and which culminated in a dazzling concert in the Simón Bolívar Room of the National Center for Social Action for Music on May 21.
During this large gathering, Sarah Willis and the team of the National Horn School organized a varied agenda of group warm-ups, technical studies, masterclasses, preparation and interpretation of orchestral repertoire for auditions, pedagogical games for the younger participants, workshops for professional players, and chamber music for horn ensembles. Participation included the horn section of the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra, the "Nómada Horns" assembly, and the Great Ensemble of the National Horn School—made up of hornists belonging to the nucleus of the Capital District, the Conservatory of Music Simón Bolívar, the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra, the Juan José Landaeta Symphony Orchestra, the Caracas Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Simón Bolívar Chamber Orchestra, and the Francisco de Miranda Symphony Orchestra. All participants had the opportunity to play with Maestra Sarah in their ensembles—a fact that everyone will remember as a reference for great sound and interpretation on the horn.
The closing concert was attended by a horn-loving audience and fans of Sarah. The program included standard repertoire for horn ensembles, movie soundtracks in which horn has a leading role, Latin American music (mambos are a favorite of Sarah), opera, and American and Venezuelan popular music, under the direction of Maestro José Giménez, and displaying the interpretation of participating ensembles. To the delight of the audience, the string ensemble of the Juan José Landaeta Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Jesús Uzcátegui, joined this celebration in the first meeting as soloists on the same stage as Sarah Willis along with the great trumpet player Pacho Flores, pride of Venezuela and a world-renowned performer.
50 years represents a long journey of enriching experiences for Venezuelan culture, and it is exciting to have the opportunity to have academic events like these in Venezuela, in which paths towards musical and social evolution continue to emerge, and in which lasting bonds of friendship with such special humans as Sarah Willis are forged.
Interview with Sarah Willis and Líber Oscher
by Gabriella Ibarra
