Jaír F. Coll

Documentary photographer

Life-changing symphony in Cali, Colombia

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Clients: The New York Times, The Guardian, Bloomberg, Reuters, Open Society Foundations

School: Universidad Autónoma de Occidente

The Siloé Symphony O...stern Cali on December 7, 2022.

The Siloé Symphony Orchestra performs a Christmas melody at the Comuna 20 lookout point in western Cali on December 7, 2022.

Two members of the Silo&eac...stern Cali on December 3, 2022.

Two members of the Siloé Symphony Orchestra prepare to leave La Fontaine School for a concert in western Cali on December 3, 2022.

Leslie Yulieth Ortiz, director ...ides of Cali. December 3, 2022.

Leslie Yulieth Ortiz, director of the Siloé Symphony Orchestra, holds on to the back of a guala, a very useful vehicle for getting around the hillsides of Cali. December 3, 2022.

David Steven Martíne...artinez, who is also a teacher.

David Steven Martínez has been playing the viola in the Siloé Philharmonic Orchestra since he joined the group more than twelve years ago. "The best experience has been that the group has been an impulse to reach other spaces, not only in Cali, but also in France, Italy and Spain," says Martinez, who is also a teacher.

Laura Sofía Castro p...nal," says Castro, 16.

Laura Sofía Castro poses with her cello at the Siloé lookout point. "At the beginning, when I was a child, I saw music as a game, but now as a teenager it's something I consider as my own and personal," says Castro, 16.

A member of Tambores de Silo&am...erts of the Symphony Orchestra.

A member of Tambores de Siloé rests her hand on her instrument. Sometimes this company accompanies some concerts of the Symphony Orchestra.

Leslie Yulieth Ortiz, director ...in western Cali, Dec. 11, 2022.

Leslie Yulieth Ortiz, director of the Siloé Symphony Orchestra, turns the page of a score during a performance at La Tertulia Museum in western Cali, Dec. 11, 2022.

David Hernández pose...," says Hernandez, 17.

David Hernández poses with his violin in the vicinity of La Tertulia Museum in western Cali. "The Symphony is a project that gives us all a chance to get involved with an art form and takes us away from other things that happen in Comuna 20, such as violence," says Hernandez, 17.

Leo Calderón is a vi...quot; Calderón says.

Leo Calderón is a violinist in the Siloé Symphony Orchestra, with which he has been linked for six years as a teacher. "Working here I always saw it as a goal in life, because I connected through the interest they have in giving a social and musical contribution. What is most important is a companionship, like offering a friendship and maybe also a family," Calderón says.

Leslie Yulieth Ortiz, director ...tern Cali on December 11, 2022.

Leslie Yulieth Ortiz, director of the Siloé Symphony Orchestra, gives instructions to the band's musicians minutes before their Christmas performance at La Tertulia Museum in western Cali on December 11, 2022.

A member of the Silo&eacute...tern Cali, on December 3, 2022.

A member of the Siloé Symphony Orchestra tunes his cello, guided by a mobile app, minutes before a concert at the Teatro al Aire Libre Los Cristales, in western Cali, on December 3, 2022.

Jean Paul Corro poses with his ...ower," says Corro, 16.

Jean Paul Corro poses with his viola in the vicinity of the Mirador de Siloé, in western Cali. "This is a wonderful instrument, she is very centered, neither high nor low. She allows me to transmit peace and tranquility, but also of power," says Corro, 16.

Sara Solarte poses with her vio...rt," says Solarte, 16.

Sara Solarte poses with her violin in the vicinity of the Mirador de Siloé. "The Symphony represents a lot of effort, even though I joined less than a year ago. The band means passion for making music. We want to tell Santiago de Cali that there is talent and that young people can get ahead through art," says Solarte, 16.

Jean Paul Corro plays a Christm...tern Cali, on December 3, 2022.

Jean Paul Corro plays a Christmas melody with his viola during a concert at the Teatr al Aire Libre Los Cristales, in western Cali, on December 3, 2022.

The bow of a cello points to a ...stern Cali on December 3, 2022.

The bow of a cello points to a score of a Christmas melody during a concert by the Siloé Symphony Orchestra at the Los Cristales Open Air Theater in western Cali on December 3, 2022.

Leo Calderón sings a...stern Cali on December 3, 2022.

Leo Calderón sings a Christmas song during a concert by the Siloé Symphony Orchestra at the Los Cristales Open Air Theater in western Cali on December 3, 2022.

Andrés Felipe Ortiz ... joy," says Ortiz, 19.

Andrés Felipe Ortiz poses with his cello near the Museo La Tertulia in western Cali. "I see music as a life project. Together with my companions, it isolates us from other thoughts that may be unnecessary. Through my music, I want to express joy," says Ortiz, 19.

Leslie Yulieth Ortiz conducts a...or anger," says Ortiz.

Leslie Yulieth Ortiz conducts a concert of the Siloé Symphony Orchestra at the Teatro al Aire Libre Los Cristales, in western Cali, on December 3, 2022. "Each of them plays a string instrument. In my case, my instruments are all of them, so through what they can interpret and what I can mold, is what we want to express to the public: whether it is joy, melancholy or anger," says Ortiz.

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Thumbnail of The Siloé Symphony Or_estern Cali on December 7, 2022.

Thumbnail of Two members of the Silo&eacu_estern Cali on December 3, 2022.

Thumbnail of Leslie Yulieth Ortiz, director o_sides of Cali. December 3, 2022.

Thumbnail of David Steven Martínez_Martinez, who is also a teacher.

Thumbnail of Laura Sofía Castro po_onal," says Castro, 16.

Thumbnail of A member of Tambores de Silo&_certs of the Symphony Orchestra.

Thumbnail of Leslie Yulieth Ortiz, director o_ in western Cali, Dec. 11, 2022.

Thumbnail of David Hernández poses_e," says Hernandez, 17.

Thumbnail of Leo Calderón is a vio_;quot; Calderón says.

Thumbnail of Leslie Yulieth Ortiz, director o_stern Cali on December 11, 2022.

Thumbnail of A member of the Siloé_stern Cali, on December 3, 2022.

Thumbnail of Jean Paul Corro poses with his v_power," says Corro, 16.

Thumbnail of Sara Solarte poses with her viol_art," says Solarte, 16.

Thumbnail of Jean Paul Corro plays a Christma_stern Cali, on December 3, 2022.

Thumbnail of The bow of a cello points to a s_estern Cali on December 3, 2022.

Thumbnail of Leo Calderón sings a _estern Cali on December 3, 2022.

Thumbnail of Andrés Felipe Ortiz p_s joy," says Ortiz, 19.

Thumbnail of Leslie Yulieth Ortiz conducts a _ or anger," says Ortiz.

Public Project

Life-changing symphony in Cali, Colombia

Copyright Jaír F. Coll 2024

Date of Work Dec 2022 - Jan 2023

Updated Jan 2023

Location Cali

Topics Spotlight

The Siloé Symphony Orchestra emerged in 2008 as an educational alternative for children and young people from the neighborhood, one of the most vulnerable in Cali, Valle del Cauca, through music. The idea: to cultivate values such as creativity and discipline to motivate them to create life projects away from the context of violence in the territory...

Know more about the story: https://www.instagram.com/p/CnDedloooR-/?hl=es-la

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Jaír F. Coll

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