International Choral Festival Costa Rica
For Peace 2017
Master César Alejandro Carrillo
César Alejandro Carrillo: Choral Conductor, Composer and Teacher
César Alejandro Carrillo is a Venezuelan choral conductor, composer, teacher and arranger whose career spans university, youth, chamber, institutional and professional choral work.
His biography reflects decades of conducting, teaching, composition, international workshops, publications and participation in choral events across Latin America, Europe, Asia and North America.
César Alejandro Carrillo’s musical education
His formal training combines choral conducting, orchestral conducting, composition and long-term music study.
- Diploma in Orchestral Conducting taught by maestro Miguel Ángel Monroy at the Faculty of Humanities of the Central University of Venezuela (2013).
- Bachelor of Music with a Mention in Choral Conducting, Cum laude, University Institute of Musical Studies (1997).
- Title of Choral Director, Conservatory of the National Youth Orchestra of Venezuela (1987).
- Composition studies at the José Lorenzo Llamozas Music School (1978–1984).
- Formal music studies since 1977.
Courses, seminars and advanced study
The biography supplied for this page documents additional study with international musicians and specialists in conducting, composition, liturgy, voice, Gregorian chant and music education.
View advanced courses and seminars
- José Rafael Maldonado — Music and Liturgy, UCV (2005).
- Peter Philips — Rimini International Choral Workshop, Italy (2002).
- Ghislaine Morgan — Rimini International Choral Workshop, Italy (2002).
- Alice Parker — American Native Music, UCV / Venezuelan Society of Gaudeamus Singing (1995).
- Vic Nees — Choral Composition Course, Schola Cantorum Foundation of Caracas (1992).
- Robert Sund — Choral Conducting Course, Schola Cantorum Foundation of Caracas (1992).
- Noemí Lugo — Voice technique, Vinicio Adames Foundation (1991).
- María Felicia Pérez — Cuban choral music, Vinicio Adames Foundation (1991).
- Ernani Aguiar — Gesture technique, Vinicio Adames Foundation (1991).
- Luigi Agustoni — Gregorian chant, Schola Cantorum Foundation of Caracas (1991).
- Arthur Harvey — Methods and Techniques for Teaching Music to People with Special Needs, ONJV Conservatory (1987).
A long career in Venezuelan choral music
Carrillo’s professional experience includes university, youth, chamber, institutional and independent choirs, alongside teaching responsibilities in choral conducting and arranging.
View professional experience
- Principal Conductor, Orfeón Universitario UCV (1992–2012; retired).
- Founding Conductor, Cantarte (1991–present, according to the source provided).
- Principal Conductor, Choral OPSU (2003–2009).
- Founding Conductor, Bolanegra (1992–present, according to the source provided).
- Principal Conductor, Antiphona (2010–present, according to the source provided).
- Professor of Choral Direction Techniques at the State Foundation for the National System of Youth and Children's Orchestras of Venezuela (2010–present, according to the source provided).
- Professor of Choral Conducting Techniques, Choral Arrangements and Choral Repertoire Analysis at IUDEM (1998–2010).
- Principal Conductor, Coral La Electricidad de Caracas (1993–2003).
- Principal Conductor, Coral Canta Mundo (1988–1992).
- Conductor, University College of Caracas Choir (1989–1992).
- Director, Voces Oscuras Antonio Estévez (1989–1992).
- Director, José Ángel Lamas Choir of the Ministry of Energy and Mines (1989–1992).
- Director, INPARQUES Choir (1987).
- Founding Director, UNELLEZ University Choir — Barinas (1984–1986, 1988).
- Founding Director, Ensemble 9 (1983–1991).
- Principal Director, Vinicio Adames Youth Choir (1982–1984).
- Principal Director, Coral Modesta Bor of INAVI (1981–1983).
- Professor, National Graduate School Judith Daló Sandón (1978–1981).
Courses and workshops taught by César Alejandro Carrillo
His teaching activity has addressed choral arranging, reharmonization, conducting didactics, interpretation, Caribbean music and choral sound.
View courses and workshops taught
- Choral arranging workshop — Caracas (2016).
- Reharmonization Techniques — Caracas (2014–2015).
- Fundamental techniques for the elaboration of choral arrangements — Caracas (2013–2014).
- Didactics for Choral Conducting — Barquisimeto, Lara (2014).
- Didactics for Choral Conducting — Barquisimeto, Lara (2013).
- First Seminar for High School Choir Directors — Buga, Colombia (2012).
- XV Choral Singing Course, Vocal Technique and Choral Direction, Levels I & III — Segovia, Spain (2011).
- Choral Interpretation Workshop — Pamplona, Spain (2010).
- II Choral Singing Seminar — Tomelloso, Spain (2010).
- Choral Sound II — Porlamar, Nueva Esparta (2009).
- Choral Sound I — Porlamar, Nueva Esparta (2008).
- Interpretation of the choral work by César Alejandro Carrillo — Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (2005).
- Choral Conducting Course — Guatire, Miranda (2005).
- Interpretation of Caribbean Music — Trelew, Argentina (2005).
- Interpretation of Caribbean Music — Saint-Lô, France (2004).
- A vision of the choral work by César Alejandro Carrillo — Barquisimeto, Lara (2001).
- 1st Course on Choral Arrangements in the Caribbean Style — Caracas (1999).
Concerts, festivals, workshops and jury work around the world
Leading the ensembles under his direction, Carrillo has taken part in concerts and workshops in Ecuador, Aruba, Mexico, Cuba, Colombia, United States, Puerto Rico, Portugal, France, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, People's Republic of China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Spain, Holland, Germany, England, Finland, Estonia, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Czech Republic, Hungary and Italy.
His biography also records participation in national and international festivals and competitions as a lecturer, workshop leader and jury member, including the International Choral Competition of Tolosa in the Basque Country in 2014.
Published works by César Alejandro Carrillo
The publication list supplied for this page includes sacred music, original choral compositions, arrangements and educational resources issued by publishers in the United States and through independent platforms.
View publications
- Pater noster — Musicarrillo.com (2015).
- Three Songs of Solomon — Musicarrillo.com (2014).
- Crux fidelis — Gentry Music (2014).
- Regina mundi — Musicarrillo.com (2014).
- Elegía — Musicarrillo.com (2014).
- Six Minimum Songs — Musicarrillo.com (2014).
- Ave Maria — Musicarrillo.com (2014).
- O vos omnes — Musicarrillo.com (2014).
- Magnificat — Musicarrillo.com (2014).
- Missa Sine nomine — Earthsongs, USA (2014).
- Salve Regina — Earthsongs, USA (2010).
- Regina mundi — Indigenous Music, USA (2010).
- Sacred Music — Guide to Latin texts translated into Spanish — Lulu.com (2008).
- Gloria — Earthsongs, USA (2007).
- Choral Work and Arrangements of Venezuelan Popular Music by César Alejandro Carrillo — Vicente Emilio Sojo Foundation (2002 and 2009).
- Ave Maria — Earthsongs, USA (2000).
- O magnum mysterium — Earthsongs, USA (2000).
- Oiga compae — Earthsongs, USA (2000).
- Silent Night (arr.) — Santa Barbara Music Publishing, USA (2000).
His own works have also been recorded by Cantarte, the Orfeón Universitario de la UCV and other national and international ensembles.
Awards as composer and conductor
As a composer
- 21 choral works awarded in different national competitions.
- National Composition Prize (1982, 1991).
- Municipal Composition Prize (1984, 1988, 1992, 1998 and 2000).
As a conductor
- 3rd Prize, Chamber Choirs Category, 23rd Béla Bartók International Choir Competition and Folklore Festival, Debrecen, Hungary (2011), with Antiphona.
- 1st Prize, Habaneras Category, XLIX International Habaneras and Polyphony Competition, Torrevieja, Spain (2003), with the Mérida Chamber Choir.
- Orden Francisco Mujica, Guatire (2003).
- 1st Prize and Audience Prize, First National Choir Competition Mérida '95 (1995), with Cantarte.
- 1st Prize, Classics Category, VII Ciudad Ibagué International Polyphonic Competition, Colombia (1994), with Cantarte.
- 2nd Prize, Classical Category, and Medal of Musical Excellence, IV Ciudad Ibagué International Polyphonic Competition, Colombia (1983), with the Vinicio Adames Youth Choir.
César Alejandro Carrillo in the Latin American choral landscape
His career brings together conducting, composition, arranging, pedagogy and international exchange. The combination makes him especially relevant to choir directors interested in Latin American repertoire, Caribbean interpretation and the development of choral sound.
César Alejandro Carrillo FAQ
Who is César Alejandro Carrillo?
César Alejandro Carrillo is a Venezuelan choral conductor, composer, teacher and arranger with extensive experience in university, youth, chamber and institutional choirs.
What did César Alejandro Carrillo study?
His formal education includes orchestral conducting, a Bachelor of Music with a mention in Choral Conducting, a Choral Director qualification, composition studies and formal music studies beginning in 1977.
Which choirs has César Alejandro Carrillo conducted?
His professional experience includes the Orfeón Universitario UCV, Cantarte, Coral OPSU, Bolanegra, Antiphona, Coral La Electricidad de Caracas, Coral Canta Mundo and several other Venezuelan ensembles.
Has César Alejandro Carrillo taught choral conducting?
Yes. His career includes teaching choral conducting techniques, arrangements and repertoire analysis, as well as conducting courses and workshops in Venezuela and internationally.
In which countries has César Alejandro Carrillo worked?
According to the biography provided for this page, his conducting, workshop and festival activity has taken him to countries across Latin America, Europe, Asia and North America.
What has César Alejandro Carrillo published?
His published catalogue includes sacred works, choral arrangements, Latin-text resources and editions released through Musicarrillo.com, Gentry Music, Earthsongs, Santa Barbara Music Publishing and other publishers.
What awards has César Alejandro Carrillo received as a composer?
The biography provided for this page states that 21 of his choral works received awards in national competitions, including National Composition Prizes and multiple Municipal Composition Prizes.
What awards has he received as a conductor?
The biography lists prizes and distinctions earned with ensembles in Hungary, Spain and Colombia, as well as recognition in Venezuela.
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