Fundación Guitarra XXI

“The guitar is a small orchestra. Every string is a different color, a different voice”.

Andrés Segovia

The Foundation

Fundación Guitarra XXI is a Chilean non-profit organization focused on the development of cultural and educational projects, with the purpose of bringing music and especially classical guitar to as many people as possible, regardless of their age, gender, race, economic or political position.

In this context, we are committed to spreading, encouraging and promoting de Latin American repertoire, both for professional musicians (i.e. performers and composers) and for those who love music but do not practice it as their main career.

Our professional team has wide experience and is deeply involved in the musical scene and the world of classical guitar. As part of our work, we perform educational concerts for students and the elderly, organize and produce tours, master classes, music workshops, competitions and academic courses. In addition, we provide professional advice and actively participate in the elaboration and design of policies in the fields of arts and culture.

Our Team

Nuestro Equipo

Nuestro equipo multidisciplinario está formado por profesionales con amplia trayectoria

en el área de la música y la gestión cultural.

Romilio Orellana Cruces

“Romilio Orellana is a poet of the guitar”

Alirio Díaz

Romilio Orellana Cruces is an acclaimed and renowned Chilean classical guitarist. He completed his musical studies with Professor Ernesto Quezada in the School of Arts of Universidad de Chile with the highest honors. He has also participated in seminars and master classes with lute players Hopkinson Smith and Eduardo Egüez, and the Belgian guitarist Raphaella Smits.

Mr. Orellana has obtained important awards in the most prestigious international guitar competitions, such as the First Prize in the International Guitar Competition “Alirio Díaz”, Venezuela; Special Mention in the International Competition “Agustín Barrios Mangoré”, Paraguay; First Prize in the International Competition “Liliana Pérez Corey”, Chile; and Second Prize in the prestigious “Francisco Tárrega” international competition, Spain, where he also obtained the award for the Best Performance of Francisco Tárrega’s Work.

As part of his professional career, he has performed in more than 40 countries in the most famous theaters in the world and has been a member of the jury in several international competitions and music festivals. Particularly noteworthy is his successful presentation in London at the world premiere of Liederkoncert, composed by Angelo Gilardino, which he performed together with the guitarist Sante Tursi and the English Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Robin O’Neill, at the Royal Festival Hall.

He has also been part of important Chilean artistic delegations, such as Lisbon Expo ‘98, Hannover International Fair, Guadalajara’s International Book Fair and the 50th Anniversary of the Coronation of the King of Thailand.

Romilio Orellana is currently professor and head of career in the Classical Guitar Department at the School of Arts of Universidad de Chile, as well as founder and chairman of the Board of Directors of Fundación Guitarra XXI.

Luis Orlandini Robert

“He casts a spell on the audience with the six strings of his guitar as if it were a complete orchestra”

Badisches Tagblatt, Alemania

Luis Orlandini Robert studied classical guitar at the School of Arts of Universidad de Chile with Professor Ernesto Quezada, from where he graduated with the highest honors. Later, as part of a postgraduate program, he studied with Professor Eliot Fisk at the School of Music in Cologne, Germany, taking in-depth courses at Mozarteum of Salzburgo, Austria.

Along his extensive career he has received several awards and recognitions, such as the First Award at the International Competition of Music in München, Germany; the Critics’ Award from the Círculo de Críticos de Arte de Chile; the Trajectory Award from the Sociedad Chilena del Derecho de Autor (SCD); the Domingo Santa Cruz Award from the Chilean Academy of Fine Arts; and the President of the Republic Award, given by the Government of Chile. He was also appointed as a Member of the Academy of Fine Arts of Instituto de Chile for his contribution to the culture of the country in Musical Arts.

Mr. Orlandini has performed with the most prestigious orchestras in concerts halls and theaters throughout South and North America, Europe and Asia. His recordings for international radios and record companies have been acclaimed by the critics and the audience.

Luis Orlandini is currently associate professor at the School of Arts of Universidad de Chile and Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, as well as member of the Board of Directors of Fundación Guitarra XXI.

Joaquín Herrera Guliaew

First Prize 2015

School of Law – Universidad Diego Portales

Joaquín Herrera Guliaew studied classical guitar at the School of Arts of Universidad de Chile from 2002 to 2007, period in which he stood out as one of the most noted students of his generation, participating in master classes with renowned artists such as Hopkinson Smith and Leo Brouwer.

Later, he studied law at Universidad Diego Portales, from which he graduated summa cum laude as the first student of his generation, receiving the Award for the Best Academic Performance.

Mr. Herrera has provided legal advice since 2014 as a corporate and civil lawyer, assisting national and international clients in the management of their local businesses and investments. At the same time, he has directed and produced several cultural and socio-political projects, integrating multiple teams and actively participating in the development of specialized media.

Joaquín Herrera, in addition to his legal career and his role as a producer, is a member of the Board of Directors of Fundación Guitarra XXI.

Alex Contreras – Cultural Manager

Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and a Master’s degree in Cultural Management from the Universidad de Playa Ancha. He also completed an internship in Public Sector Leadership and Cultural Management at Goberna América Latina, part of the Instituto Universitario de Investigación Ortega y Gasset.

He began his guitar studies at the age of 16 under the tutelage of Master Oscar Ohlsen at the Faculty of Arts of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.

In 2001, he was awarded second place in the national guitar competition “Liliana Pérez Corey” in the student category. In the same competition, he received the award for the best interpretation of a Chilean composition, granted by the Chilean Society of Authors and Performers (SCD). That same year, he was also honored with the prestigious “Amigos del Teatro Municipal” scholarship, awarded to the most outstanding music students in the country.

As a soloist, he has performed with the Chamber Orchestra of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, the Chamber Orchestra of the Universidad de Valparaíso, and the String Quartet of the Universidad Austral de Chile.

As a cultural manager, he has specialized in the development of musical cultural projects, securing funding from both public and private sources.

He has held positions as a programming coordinator, cultural affairs officer, and cultural manager in municipalities within the Región Metropolitana de Chile.

Bastian Inostroza – Community Manager

A classical guitarist with a degree in Performance from the Universidad de Chile, where he studied under professors Luis Orlandini and Danilo Cabaluz. He continued his studies with the renowned guitarist José Antonio Escobar in the Postgraduate Program in Arts with a focus on Music at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. He is also the artistic director of Sociedad Bach Chile and the musical director of the “Ensamble de Guitarra Pudahuel” and the “Ensamble de Guitarra Renca”.

As a guitarist, he has excelled in the promotion and creation of Chilean and Latin American works. He has participated in numerous national and international guitar festivals, both as a soloist and a chamber musician.

He has developed a large online community by creating content related to classical guitar, building one of the largest digital communities in Chile dedicated to classical guitar.

Activities

First Musical Composition Competition for Classical Guitar «Fundación Guitarra XXI»

• Attention everyone! The musical scores of the awarded works of our Composition Competition are now available, you can download them here.

The file includes the first and second prize as well as the audience award, here’s the detail:

1. Tres paisajes latinoamericanos – Hugo Muñoz Gómez (Chincol)

2. Río que se pierde en la tierra – Guillermo Eisner (Pedro)

3. Dos aires trasandinos – Juan Gonzáles Cortés (Yoi)

Winners announcement

We want to thank all the participants of the First Musical Composition Competition for Classical Guitar «Fundación Guitarra XXI». We especially congratulate the winners:

1. FIRST PRIZE:

Composer: Hugo Muñoz Gómez (Chincol)
Work: Tres Paisajes Latinoamericanos
Performed by: Romilio Orellana

2. SECOND PRIZE:

Composer: Guillermo Eisner (Pedro)
Work: Río que se pierde en la Tierra
Performed by: Luis Orlandini

3. AUDIENCE AWARD:

Composer: Juan Gonzalez Cortés (Yoi)
Work: Dos Aires Trasandinos
Performed by: Isabel Almeyda

Audience Award.

Voting begins! Until December 19th at 11:59 p.m, renditions of the 3 final works in competition will be available on the Foundation’s YouTube channel for the selection of the Audience Award. Remember that the competition is anonymous!

You can listen to the works and vote for your favorite here.

The performance of the final works was in charge of the outstanding national guitarist Isabel Almeyda together with Maestros Luis Orlandini and Romilio Orellana, who recorded the pieces live and without editing.

Award Ceremony Rescheduling.

Due to the presidential, parliamentary and CORE elections scheduled for November 21 in Chile, in order to ensure a correct development of the Composition Competition, it has been determined to postpone the Award Ceremony to December 20, 2021, date on which the results will be announced.

We have great news! The jury has chosen the three finalists of the First Musical Composition Competition for Classical Guitar «Fundación Guitarra XXI», which is sponsored by the SCD.

The selected works and their authors (pseudonyms) are the following:

1. Dos aires trasandinos - Yoi
2. Tres paisajes latinoamericanos - Chincol
3. Río que se pierde en la tierra - Pedro

Congratulations to the finalists and all the other participants!!

You can download the minutes with the jury’s decision here (Spanish only)

Attention! The Q&A to the Terms and Conditions of the Competition are available here (Spanish Only).

Our Foundation is pleased to announce the First Musical Composition Competition for Classical Guitar «Fundación Guitarra XXI» (the «Competition»), whose objective is to promote the activity of composers in relation to classical guitar, contribute to the creation of a new repertoire and link it to the community.

To that end, we have designed an innovative modality that brings together composers, performers and the general public, giving the latter a significant role with the incorporation of an Audience Award. Likewise, we hope to contribute to concretize and disseminate the award-winning works by recording and premiering them by prominent national guitarists, such as Isabel Almeyda, Luis Orlandini and Romilio Orellana.

The 2021 edition of the Competition is aimed at works for solo classical guitar, that rescue the tradition and language of Latin American roots.

The jury will be made up of musicians with vast experience, whose involvement and contribution to classical guitar has been fundamental in Chile, namely, maestros Juan Antonio Sánchez, Javier Farías and Esteban Espinoza.

Contestant requirements

Being over 18 years old.
Being Chilean, with residence in Chile or abroad; or non-Chilean with certified residence in Chile for at least 5 years.
People who are currently providing direct services to Fundación Guitarra XXI or Sociedad Chilena de Autores e Intérpretes Musicales (SCD), as well as relatives of the jury, will not be able to participate in the Competition.

Works requirements

Be unpublished.
Have 1 single author and exclusive owner of rights
Have a total duration of no more than 10 minutes.

Application

Applications to the Competition will be received only between July 1 and August 23, 2021, in the manner and place indicated in the Terms and Conditions. Applications submitted outside of that period or that do not meet the requirements indicated in the Terms and Conditions will not be accepted.

To apply, you must submit a sealed envelope using a pseudonym, entitled: "Application to the First Musical Composition Competition for Classical Guitar Fundación Guitarra XXI". Said envelope must contain the following:

5 printed copies of the musical score of each work, duly titled and signed using a pseudonym.
1 digital copy of the musical score of each work in PDF, duly titled and signed using a pseudonym. The digital copy can be provided on a USB flash drive, CD or DVD.
1 additional sealed envelope which, in turn, will contain the following:

a) 1 document signed by the contestant, indicating her/his full name, nationality, identity card or passport number, date of birth, contact telephone number, social networks (if applicable), domicile and e-mail address.

b) Copy on both sides of the identity card or valid passport of the contestant.

c) Brief résumé of the contestant.

Please bear in mind that each contestant may submit a maximum of 3 works.

Awards and selection procedure

The jury will select 3 finalists, among which the First and Second Prize will be chosen. The 3 finalist pieces will be recorded by Isabel Almeyda, Luis Orlandini and Romilio Orellana, and broadcasted -using the contestant’s pseudonyms- through the Foundation’s digital channels for public voting. The most voted piece will receive the Audience Award.

The winning works and their respective authors will be publicly announced in an award ceremony, which will take place on December 20, 2021. At the same ceremony, the finalist pieces will be premiered live by the performers mentioned before.

The award-winning works will receive the following prizes:

First prize
i. Recording of the work in the terms indicated above.
ii. Live premiere of the work at the award ceremony.
iii. Diploma and CLP$400,000.

Second prize
i. Recording of the work in the terms indicated above.
ii. Live premiere of the work at the award ceremony.
iii. Diploma and CLP$300,000.

Audience Award
i. Recording of the work in the terms indicated above.
ii. Live premiere of the work at the award ceremony.
iii. Diploma and CLP$100,000.

Terms and conditions of the Competition and questions

Please review the Terms and Conditions of the Competition that are available here (Spanish Only), which are duly registered in the Notary Public of Santiago held by Mrs. María Soledad Santos. If you have any doubts regarding the Competition or its Terms and Conditions, do not hesitate to contact us at contacto@guitarraxxi.cl

Musical Appreciation Course “Charlas con Guitarra” + Concert

The online musical appreciation course “Charlas con Guitarra” took place on May 28 and 29, with professors Luis Orlandini and Romilio Orellana in charge of each lecture. The course concluded on May 30, with a virtual live concert by the “Orellana & Orlandini” duo.

These interactive sessions were broadcast through the Foundation’s YouTube channel, for both professionals and amateurs. At the event, the audience was able to participate actively and ask questions in real time through a chat system.

The course addressed general aspects of the instrument and its history, the most emblematic pieces of the classical repertoire, noteworthy composers and performers, as well as the main aspects of Latin American musical and guitar identity. Finally, the attendants enjoyed a beautiful closing concert, which allowed them to appreciate this historical repertoire performed live by two maestros of the guitar.

Don’t miss future courses and activities organized by the Foundation!

On May 28 and 29 at 7:00 p.m. the online musical appreciation course «Charlas con Guitarra« will take place, with professors Luis Orlandini and Romilio Orellana in charge of each lecture*. The course will conclude on May 30 at the same time, with a virtual live concert by the “Orellana & Orlandini” duo.

These interactive sessions will be broadcast through the Foundation’s YouTube channel, for both professionals and amateurs. The idea is to allow the audience to participate actively and ask questions in real time through a chat system.

The course will address general aspects of the instrument and its history, the most emblematic pieces of the classical repertoire, noteworthy composers and performers, as well as the main aspects of Latin American musical and guitar identity.

The sessions will be carried out through an intimate dialogue with professors Orlandini and Orellana, who will also perform musical examples in a cozy environment, specially designed to stimulate the audience participation.

Dos Guitarras Dialogando

Dos Guitarras Dialogando is a project of educational concerts developed and sponsored by Fundación Guitarra XXI. The project has been made by specialized academics and educators, focusing on both young people and the elderly.

Our multidisciplinary team is made up of musicians and professionals with extensive experience and international recognition, who have successfully executed this project before thousands of young people and the elderly in recent years.

Dos Guitarras Dialogando consists in an educational concert of classical music for young students and/or the elderly, performed by the renowned Guitar Duo Orellana-Orlandini, who seeks to stimulate the development and musical knowledge of the audience through the interpretation of musical pieces from the classical repertoire, in a dynamic, playful and personalized approach.

The concert is dramatized by a couple of actors wearing costumes, who represent a theatrical script specially written for the Project, in an entertaining and didactic way.

The project also contemplates dialogues with the attendees and the possibility of incorporating youth and children’s orchestras, who will share the stage with the outstanding Guitar Duo Orellana-Orlandini.

To make the most of this experience, Dos Guitarras Dialogando considers previous workshops for the professional teams in charge, as well as interactive activities for the audience.

For additional information, please contact us at contacto@guitarraxxi.cl

SESSIONS

Our cultural activities have connected classical guitar across various regions of our country through concert seasons, masterclasses, seminars, and talks.

Through these initiatives and with a focus on guitar excellence, we have fostered connections between audiences, guitar students, and local musicians in different regions of our country. This has allowed us to bring together national and international guitarists who perform various musical styles, as well as cultural and educational projects, contributing to the decentralization of cultural activities in Chile.

Educational Concerts 2023

A series of educational concerts held at schools and cultural centers in the Metropolitan Region, led by the award-winning Duo Horacio Salinas and Romilio Orellana. These mediation activities featured numerous children and young people who interacted with the musicians, learning more about the guitar and its different creative approaches, while emphasizing the importance of musical education in its broadest sense, with a playful perspective and musical excellence. Some of these encounters took place at the Colegio Alonso de Córdova in the Renca commune, the Casa de la Cultura, Artes y Ciencias Violeta Parra in the Cerro Navia commune, and the Centro Cultural Teatro Serrano in Melipilla.

Educational and Training Activities in Classical Guitar FNDR 2024

Fundación Guitarra XXI begins this project focused on musical education in classical guitar, promoting activities to foster connections among classical guitar ensembles in the Región Metropolitana. This first stage includes training activities for the following groups: Conjunto de Guitarras Newen (Melipilla) and Ensamble de Guitarras Pudahuel (Pudahuel). These encounters will be led by renowned classical guitar performers, who will offer concerts, talks, and masterclasses. Notable participants include: Magela Oquendo (Cuba), Alexis Vallejos (Chile-Japan), Enrique Díaz-Lazkao (Chile-Argentina), Alex Contreras (Chile), and Gonzalo Mora (Chile).

Project Summary: Educational Concerts and Training Activities in Classical Guitar FNDR

Concert I, Teatro Serrano Melipilla

Concert VI, Centro Cultural Siglo XXI, Pudahuel

Concert II, Escuela Carmen Bajo de Melipilla

https://youtu.be/FCru98go2aM

Concert III, Escuela de Música Enrique Soro, Quilicura

https://youtu.be/f0TK9-rTwJs

Concert IV, Auditorio Municipal de Melipilla

https://youtu.be/-BFGCiM-Oe0

Concert V, Centro Cívico Cultural El Bosque

https://youtu.be/1f1Su6zU7pw

2024 Concert Season

A series of classical guitar concerts featuring more than fourteen national and international musicians, performing across five regions of Chile in locations such as Puerto Montt, Chillán, Temuco, Osorno, Renca, Nueva Imperial, Padre las Casas, and Santiago, among others.

Formation and Development of

New Guitar Ensembles, 2024

As part of our educational activities, we have established a network of guitar ensembles across various regions of our country, engaging both young and adult participants interested in learning and exploring the instrument.

Fundación Guitarra XXI has developed various training workshops in different communes of Chile, leading to the formation of groups such as the Ensamble de Guitarras Renca, in collaboration with the Departamento de Cultura de Renca, and the Ensamble de Guitarras Chillán, in partnership with the Escuela Artística Claudio Arrau León de Chillán.

Additionally, we have collaborated with other established ensemble projects, such as the Conjunto de Guitarras Newen and the Ensamble de Guitarras Pudahuel, organizing a series of masterclasses, talks, and concerts. This initiative has strengthened the connections between ensemble members, teachers, and guest artists, while also involving the communities in the various regions where the ensembles operate, engaging families, neighbors, and guitar enthusiasts.

Ensamble de Guitarras Chillán, directed by Patricio Henríquez

(Project established in 2024)

Ensamble de Guitarras Renca, directed by Bastian Inostroza

(Project established in 2024)

Donation of Professional Instruments

to Young Guitarists, 2024

Guitarras & Mujeres, luthier Felipe Gandulfo

«Guitarra & Mujeres» («Guitar & Women») was conceived out of the concern of Felipe del Valle Gandulfo, which arose during his work as a luthier. He noticed that all the instruments he crafted were commissioned by men. This undeniable reality, which highlights the underrepresentation of women in music, combined with his role as the father of Amanda, motivated his desire to help bridge this historical gap. Initially, the idea was to donate a personalized guitar to a female musician. Later, with the support of the Fondos de Cultura 2024, Fundación Guitarra XXI, and the Organización Udara, the project was expanded to include four women from both classical and popular music.

Guitarra Nativa, luthería Ettore Taller

Guitarra Nativa is a project dedicated to advancing the musical careers of three Chilean guitarists through the construction and donation of three classical guitars, crafted exclusively from wood sourced within Chilean territory.

Beyond the artistic vision, the use of local materials is both an acoustic and political statement—an effort to achieve the highest classical standards while utilizing colors and textures often dismissed as unsuitable. In other words, we seek to challenge the myth that classical guitars can only be built with traditional woods.

Through this initiative, we take the first step toward discovering a distinctive, local sound—one that genuinely reflects our culture from its very roots.

Finally, this project also serves as a platform for training two emerging luthiers, Víctor Arriagada and Polo Valdebenito, who are joining the workshop-school led by Jorge Olate.

Preservation of the Craft – Luthier Guitars for National Talents, Luthier Mateo Herreros

The goal of this project is to preserve the classical guitar lutherie techniques of Master Carlos López Menares in Chile. This will be accomplished by crafting four guitars using his methods, producing an illustrated e-book that documents these techniques, and distributing it freely to the community. The guitars will be donated to the “Fundación Guitarra XXI” and the “Fundación Guitarra Viva”, where they will be given to young guitarists, thereby fostering the growth of new national talents.

PRESS ARTICLES

Notas de prensa proyectos 2024 Fundación Guitarra XXI

Contact Us

If you want to have more information about us and our projects, contribute to the foundation or share your comments, please contact us through the following form or by writing to contacto@guitarraxxi.cl.

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