Benito Juarez

Origin

Januária, MG

Genres

classical, mpb, orchestral, choral

Instruments

violin, conductor

Biography

Benito Juarez was an influential Brazilian conductor, artistic director, and educator born in Januaria, Minas Gerais. Throughout his distinguished career, he played a pivotal role in shaping choral and orchestral music in Brazil, notably founding the University of São Paulo Choir (CORALUSP) and the Brazilian Army Symphonic Band. His formal musical education included studying violin and music theory with the military police formation in Belo Horizonte, followed by conducting lessons with Sergio Magnani and Hans-Joachim Koellreutter at the Federal University of Bahia. His dedication to music education and performance left a lasting mark on institutions across São Paulo and beyond.

As a prominent cultural figure, Juarez served as the artistic director and conductor of the Campinas Municipal Symphony Orchestra for a remarkable twenty-five years. He was widely recognized for his efforts to bridge the gap between classical and popular music, collaborating frequently with legendary MPB artists such as Gilberto Gil, Milton Nascimento, and Egberto Gismonti. In addition to championing popular music and helping establish pioneering academic popular music courses, he was a tireless advocate for Brazilian classical composers, recording works by Heitor Villa-Lobos, Carlos Gomes, and Alberto Nepomuceno.

His leadership extended to international cultural missions, taking CORALUSP on acclaimed tours across the United States, Europe, and Africa. Among his many accolades, he received multiple APCA trophies for best conductor, the prestigious Maestro Eleazar de Carvalho award, and the title of Commander in the Order of Military Merit. Benito Juarez passed away in August 2020, leaving behind a profound legacy carried forward by his children, several of whom also became professional musicians and conductors.