With a repertoire specially prepared for the occasion, the cast begins a new cycle of performances where the participation of excellent soloists and internationally recognized directors stands out.

The Gala Concert offered by the La Serena University Symphony Orchestra, on the occasion of the XXXIII anniversary of the university, will be conducted by maestro Marnix Willem Steffen, who began his musical studies at the Higher Conservatory of Rotterdam, Holland. After his excellent debut in South America with the Ciudad de los Reyes Orchestra in Lima, Marnix Willen Steffen has been invited to become its new Principal Conductor, starting in 2012. In parallel, he has worked with the National Symphony Orchestra and the Cuenca Symphony, and for the next seasons he has commitments with the main orchestras of Peru and Ecuador, as well as with several other orchestras in South and Central America, Spain, Russia and Korea.

Considering his many future commitments in South America, Maestro Steffen now resides in Lima, where he accepted to be part of the National Conservatory of Music as Musical Director and Associate Director of the National Network of Youth Symphony Orchestras of Peru.

He is currently in the Coquimbo Region rehearsing with the OSULS for the long-awaited presentation on March 21, at 20:00 p.m., at the Municipal Theater of La Serena, located at Benavente Street No. 580. On the occasion, he will perform as soloist of the first Violoncello of the La Serena University Symphony Orchestra, VÍctor Araya Altamirano, recognized for his natural talent and who began his musical studies in 1996, at the Claudio Arrau school in Coquimbo. In 1999 he entered the Jorge Peña Hen Experimental School of Music where he continued his cello studies with Professor Rodrigo Díaz Cuevas. In 2004, Araya Altamirano entered the University of La Serena and later attended the Universidad Mayor where he continued his cello studies with Professor Nelson Campos Videla. He has participated in orchestral ensembles of the Jorge Peña Hen Experimental School of Music and the National Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Copiapó Municipal Symphony Orchestra and the Chamber Orchestra of the Universidad Mayor.

Since 2010 he has been a stable member of the La Serena University Symphony Orchestra and since 2011 he has served as First Cello leader of the OSULS. He has performed as a soloist with the ULS University Orchestra and is currently teaching in children's and youth orchestras in the area. 

Music and talent will come together in a great meeting with the best regional exponents, in the concert commemorating the new anniversary of the only state university in the Coquimbo Region.