SANTO DOMINGO — At just 14 years old and with only a few years of musical training, Venezuelan prodigy Josías Fariñas, a member of Sistema Punta Cana, made his debut at the Eduardo Brito National Theater during the Gala Concert presented by the National Youth Symphony Orchestra. The event was conducted by Venezuelan maestro Eduardo Ortíz-Vitriago as part of the 2025 Orchestral Residency.
The concert brought together over 100 children from the Youth Symphony Choir of the Residency, under the direction of guest conductor Sergio Sosa from Guatemala. Meanwhile, the Children’s Symphony Orchestras, composed of young musicians from “Las Cañitas” and “La Nueva Barquita,” were led by Sergio Teijido of Venezuela, with support from the Ministry of Culture and the Fundación Filarmonía.
After long hours of rehearsals at the Conservatory of Music of Santo Domingo, Josías Fariñas contributed to a rich repertoire that included:
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William Tell Overture (Allegro Vivace) by Gioachino Rossini
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Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67 (I. Allegro con brio, IV. Allegro) by Ludwig van Beethoven
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Estancia, Op. 8 – I. Agricultural Workers by Alberto Ginastera
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Va, pensiero (Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves) from Nabucco by Giuseppe Verdi
The evening concluded with a celebration of Dominican music, featuring:
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Compadre Pedro Juan by Luis Alberti
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Santo Domingo by Bienvenido Bustamante
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Caña Brava by Antonio Abreu
Josías is a product of Sistema Punta Cana, an initiative inspired by the renowned El Sistema model created in Venezuela by maestro José Antonio Abreu. The program serves as a cultural cornerstone in the eastern region of the Dominican Republic, fostering values such as discipline, excellence, and social inclusion through orchestral music.
Ahead of his debut, Josías appeared on the cultural radio station La Voz de las Fuerzas Armadas, where he discussed his musical journey, training, and the pieces he would perform. He was joined by his father, musician William Fariñas, who has played a key role in his artistic development.
The interview aired on 102.7 FM in Santo Domingo and 106.9 FM nationwide.
