Art and culture|Children|NGO's
Under the baton of Maestro Eliseu Barros, the Ramacrisna Philharmonic Orchestra transforms lives through music, education, and hope.
Violinist, conductor, and composer Eliseu Martins de Barros is one of the most inspiring figures at the Ramacrisna Institute. But it is not just his enviable resume; he also has a solid career in music and a genuine passion for education. That is why, since 2014, he has been the conductor and artistic director of the Institute’s orchestra for children and teenagers, a project that has transformed the lives of hundreds of young people through art and opportunity.
With a career marked by sensitivity and purpose, Maestro Eliseu believes in the power of music as a tool for social transformation. For him, the work goes far beyond training musicians: it is about strengthening students’ self-esteem, self-confidence, and sense of belonging.
Created in 2005, the Ramacrisna Philharmonic Orchestra was born with the goal of offering vulnerable young people the chance to discover the beauty of instrumental music and the value of group interaction. Today, around 50 musicians participate in theory and instrumental practice classes—with string, wind, and percussion sections—under the guidance of experienced teachers such as Alexandre Barros (wind instruments), Elias Barros (violin and viola), Thiago Barros (violin and viola), Lucas Barros (cello and double bass), and, of course, Eliseu.
But the conductor was the last to join the project. “I met Ramacrisna through my two brothers, who worked there as teachers at the invitation of Sebastião Barros, the conductor who created the orchestra project. Sebastião was already a little older and got tired of the task and preferred to pass it on to someone else to continue, so my brothers recommended me and that’s how this beautiful story began in 2014,” he summarized.
When he joined the project, he realized he had a challenge: how to communicate with the students and teach them? However, the conductor soon discovered the secret.
“It is very necessary to work on self-esteem and self-confidence so that they realize they are capable of becoming good musicians and thus give themselves the chance to dream of being artists, something that is lacking due to issues of social vulnerability, especially the lack of emotional and sentimental support from their families and social environment,” he explains.
“Ramacrisna is the embodiment of the fact that Brazil has a solution. If every city had social projects like this, we would have good, productive citizens who are aware of their role in society,” he says.
The routine of the orchestra for children and adolescents goes far beyond rehearsals and performances. This is because, more than a musical project, the orchestra is an instrument of social inclusion for young people in socially vulnerable situations.
For this reason, the conductor and his team do not limit themselves to music. They also transform their work into an act of emotional and social education. “Many students arrive with their self-esteem destroyed. So, our job is to show them that it is possible to succeed in life through music,” he says.
The impact of the project is visible: several students have pursued careers in music or other areas, always carrying with them the lessons of discipline, dedication, and empathy learned in the orchestra. The space has become a refuge for young people facing challenging realities, providing a safe environment to grow, dream, and express themselves.
In addition, the young musicians have performed on important stages in Greater Belo Horizonte, such as the CCBB, Palácio das Artes, and Teatro Bradesco, for example. The group has also shared the stage with big names in music, such as Saulo Laranjeira, Trio Amaranto, and Italian tenors Claudio Mattioli and Massimiliano Barbolini. In 2024, the orchestra celebrated the Institute’s 65th anniversary with an unforgettable performance alongside Seu Jorge at Cine Theatro Brasil.
With more than a decade of dedication to the project, Eliseu Barros remains steadfast in his mission to train not only talented musicians, but also conscious and inspiring citizens. He shows that art can—and should—be a path to empowerment and inclusion.
That is why the conductor does not hide his pride in seeing his students become protagonists of their own stories. “Being part of this chain of goodness is an immense joy. The true essence of an educator is to participate in the transformation of people,” he says.
At the Ramacrisna Institute, every note played by the orchestra for children and teenagers echoes a message of hope, talent, and solidarity. Sponsor the orchestra and help transform lives. Contact us to find out how you can help.
