Symphony Orchestra will raise its music in honor of José Gregorio Hernández and Carmen Rendiles

Published at: 03/10/2025 10:59 AM

As part of the 2025 event season, El Sistema announced its participation in the canonization ceremony of two emblematic figures of Venezuelan spirituality: José Gregorio Hernández and Carmen Rendiles.

The solemn ceremony will take place on October 19 in St. Peter's Square, in the Vatican, chaired by Pope Leo XIV, the National Children's Symphony of Venezuela and the National Choir Simon Bolivar will be the groups responsible for representing the country in this historic event.

Their musical participation will not only be part of the official ceremony, but will also extend to a special concert on the Pincio terrace, where young musicians will perform pieces in homage to the new Venezuelan saints.

“They are going to represent the country at this canonization event,” said the executive director of El Sistema, Eduardo Méndez, during the press conference held at the National Center for Social Action for Music.

This tribute is part of the Santos para Todos program, which began in September and will end on November 2. The tour includes musical and cultural activities in different locations, with the objective of paying tribute to these figures who have profoundly marked the faith and identity of the Venezuelan people.

In addition to the announcement of this international participation, Méndez presented other developments that are part of the institutional renewal of El Sistema. Among them, the Social Action Center will incorporate a new name: Quebrada Honda headquarters.

A new space called Piso Negro, inspired by the Tiny Desk concert format, will also be inaugurated, which will serve as a platform for emerging musical ensembles.

During the presentation, the new logo of the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra and its renewed website were revealed: infonicasimonbolivar.com.

VTV/Mazo News Team