Chamber Winds Brazil tour gives opportunity to connect

 

RIVERSIDE, Calif. -- It was oboist Afonso Bittencourt Brito’s first time back in his native Brazil since leaving 18 months earlier to study at La Sierra University. During spring break in March, he toured the South American nation and visited his hometown as a member of a La Sierra University Chamber Winds quintet that gave performances and master classes.

La Sierra’s Chamber Winds perform with other musicians at a church in Belém, Brazil during March (Courtesy of Afonso Bittencourt Brito)

La Sierra’s Chamber Winds perform with other musicians at a church in Belém, Brazil during March (Courtesy of Afonso Bittencourt Brito)

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La Sierra University student oboist Afonso Bittencourt Brito, fourth from left, poses with members of his family in Belém, Brazil during a Chamber Winds spring break tour. (Courtesy of Afonso Bittencourt Brito)

La Sierra University student oboist Afonso Bittencourt Brito, fourth from left, poses with members of his family in Belém, Brazil during a Chamber Winds spring break tour. (Courtesy of Afonso Bittencourt Brito)

“I feel very good and very happy to [be] coming back to visit my house and my country,” Brito said prior to the trip. He noted afterward, “The entire tour was filled with meaningful moments and valuable interactions that deepened my appreciation for my heritage. Each city offered unique experiences—from cultural and spiritual engagements to personal reunions—and reinforced my commitment to my studies and future at La Sierra University.”

Brito is in the second year of a music performer’s certificate program in the music department. He aims for a career as a professional symphonic oboist. Together with the other ensemble members, he practiced and rehearsed for three months in preparation for the tour that would take them from the city of São Paulo, Brazil’s financial center, to the iconic seaside city of Rio de Janeiro, and lastly to Belém, Pará, gateway to the lower Amazon.

“The entire tour was filled with meaningful moments and valuable interactions that deepened my appreciation for my heritage." -- Afonso Bittencourt Brito, Performance Certificate Major

It was during the latter stop in which Brito was able to visit family members and friends. “[I] even had the chance to give a masterclass, sharing the knowledge I acquired in the U.S.,” he said. “Also, I invited some friends to play with me and it was really home.

   “Being away from Brazil for nearly a year-and-a-half made this visit particularly special, as it allowed me to reconnect with my roots, my family, and my culture,” Brito said.

Other student musicians joining Brito on tour were Nathalia Boeira, flute, Wendell Palheta, horn, Jair Garcia, trumpet, and Abel Gonzalez, piano.“

The one thing that stands out to me is that some of us had the incredible opportunity to teach a masterclass in Belém,” said Boeira who is also from Brazil. “I had five amazing students playing for me and a few more watching. I got to hear some incredible music being played by those students and by teaching them I had the chance to learn a lot myself."

She most enjoyed engaging with different audiences and students. “As musicians, the thing that brings us the most joy is seeing our music and our art reaching new places and new people,” she said.

“Tours allow us to explore the world and share the amazing things La Sierra University offers,” said La Sierra University Wind Ensemble Director Giovanni Santos who led the Chamber Winds tour. “We have the fabulous opportunity to interact with local musicians and educators, as well as collaborate musically. It gives us the opportunity to express ourselves musically to a wider audience and community, making new friends.”

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