The second week of tour for BYU Synthesis in Brazil was packed with concerts, festivals, and outreach. The group even played in front of a crowd of people that reached as far as the eyes could see in the Rio das Ostras Jazz and Blues Festival.
They started the week presenting at a young-single-adult family home evening in Campos. The cultural hall was packed and the group ended with a 75-minute concert that was fun for all. By the end of the concert, all the young people were dancing and the band had three standing ovations.
Synthesis started the next morning in Campos with a radio interview at 7:00 am with the local FM station. At midday the whole band did a television interview/short performance for Globo Television. It aired on the noontime news show.
The concert in Campos was held at the Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense. More than 1,000 people packed the hall, sitting in the aÁsles and on the steps. Synthesis did two encores and the crowd even wanted more. Artistic Director, Ray Smith, indicated that 'audience members are very warm and loving and always express their heartfelt-appreciation for each concert. They often want photos with the performers and they want autographs on their shirts, backs, or programs.' Synthesis members indicate they have had more Facebook requests than ever before.
A tour highlight was participation in the Rio das Ostras Jazz and Blues Festival. From May 29 to June 2, 2013, a selection of the best musicians and performers concertize on four stages mounted outdoors.
The Festival, organized by the municipality of Rio das Ostras, through the department of tourism, is one of the most respected and popular festivals in South America. During the five days of the festival, 28 free concerts are presented on four stages with over 60 hours of great music.
Synthesis opened the festival with a concert on the town square stage with the Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop.
The next night, Synthesis was the opening concert on Costazul stage–the main stage. There were 20,000 people at the concert and another 20,000 listening from outside. Dr. Smith said there were audience members as far as they could see. The band received another standing ovation and played another encore. After this concert, Dr. Smith did an interview on Web TV Rio das Ostras.
The band remained at the festival for two more days to give a clinic and exchange at a local university on Friday morning. The group had the chance to see many of the other artists perform throughout the rest of the festival. And the sponsor even organized a private Churrasco (Brazilian Barbecue) at the hotel for Synthesis. The group loved it.
On Sunday, Synthesis traveled to Rio de Janeiro, checked into their hotel, had lunch, went to Church, and held a fireside for the Rio Stakes. The fireside was in a large building, which was packed with about 800 people. The group was well received with eight stakes in attendance. Synthesis attended a family home evening with all the Young Single Adults in Rio de Janeiro on Monday. They attended and presented some inspirational messages. In each town the band has had the chance to see important historical monuments and sites. Before leaving Rio they spent time at the famous Christ the Redeemer statue outside of the city.
On Wednesday, the group will travel to Sao Paulo where they will present a big band dance for the Church at the Ballroom Social Club Juventus for more than 3,500 people.
The media coverage on radio, tv, and internet has been extensive for Synthesis on this tour. Click here to view a clip of a television interview of the group.
For more information regarding BYU performing groups, visit pam.byu.edu. To book a performance, contact Performing Arts Management at (801) 422-3576 or perform@byu.edu.
