Coral Nacional Simón Bolívar Marks 20 Years

Why this is here: The Coral Nacional Simón Bolívar has performed roughly 800 choral works and 200 works combining choir and orchestra throughout its two decades of existence.

In Caracas, Venezuela, the Coral Nacional Simón Bolívar prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary with a concert on May 16th. The choir began as the Coro Sinfónico Nacional Juvenil de Venezuela in 2006, debuting at the Teresa Carreño Theater with over 200 voices. Founding members recall a time when orchestral programs dominated El Sistema, and a dedicated choral structure was needed to nurture young singers.

Lourdes Sánchez, the current musical director, notes the group has performed around 800 works for choir alone, plus 200 with orchestra. The anniversary program will feature both spiritual pieces—like “Salve Regina”—and international works, including compositions by Venezuelan authors. Sánchez, who has spent 40 years with El Sistema, also points to challenges in accessing new music and sheet music due to high minimum order quantities from music houses.

Despite these hurdles, the Coral Nacional Simón Bolívar recently won a Latin Grammy for its album Huáscar Barradas Four Elements Immersive Symphony. The choir continues to develop and seeks to connect with global choral trends.