These young musicians are part of a very special orchestra, the Sinfonica Heliopolis, a symphony born and raised in the slums of Brazil and tonight performing in one of the nation's most beautiful conference halls. DENISE DESOUZA (Translation): I can’t conceive of my life without music, just as I can’t imagine my life with music but without the Institute. It’s everything. ISAAC KARABTCHEVSKY (Translation): Our goal is to make them play as if they were a major international orchestra and we are moving towards this goal. Soon after tonight's concert this orchestra will return home, to the slum of Heliopolis. Heliopolis is the second largest slum in the Americas. This favela is home to almost 100,000 people and has almost no community services. Kites dance over tin rooftops, but what looks like children playing more often than not is actually signals being sent between local drug dealers. The story of the Heliopolis symphony began with a tragic fire in this neighbourhood. Denise Desouza has lived in this house most of her life, next door to where the fire began. DENISE DESOUZA (Translation): In October 1996 this building caught fire and seven people died in that fire. It was very sad. There were many news reports about it. She says the tragedy plucked at the heart strings of the famous conductor and composer Silvio Baccarelli. DENISE DESOUZA (Translation): Baccarelli saw it on TV, he was deeply moved by it and decided to do something to help this community. He contacted our school, our director, about teaching music because of this tragedy. Under Baccarelli's guidance, Denise's life took an unlikely turn. She was one of the first students to be invited for lessons by the institute's founder. It was an opportunity that caught the entire family by surprise, including mother Amelia. AMELIA DESOUZA (Translation): We didn’t even have access to music, we didn’t know the instruments. In fact, when she had to choose from many instruments they showed her, she did not know what to pick. Then she chose the violin, but she did not know its name. None of them knew. DENISE DESOUZA (Translation): On the first day no one knew what an orchestral instrument was, we thought it would be electric guitar, bass or drums. We only found out they would be orchestral when we got there. Most thought we would play popular instruments, when we heard about the free music tuition. The institute has grown enormously since Denise and a handful of adolescents first learned under Baccarelli. Today more than 1,000 students are studying. The institute now offers free musical education to even the very young. All the way up to the main orchestra, the Sinfonica Heliopolis. With Baccarelli himself now retired the orchestra is under the tutelage of the uncompromising Edilson Ventureli. EDILSON VENTURELI (Translation): The horn solo… one, two, three and… an ideal choir for us would have 40 kids. We begin with 70, 75, 80. There is a natural process, kids would not adapt or not enjoy and some give up. From then on we are constantly evaluating. A great plus here is that we do not confuse social work and welfare. Because the best we can do for every child, is demand that everyone gives their best. While classical music education in the Western World has been increasingly narrow and elitist, in Latin America it's experiencing a Renaissance, according to world renowned conductor and frequent Baccarelli collaborator Isaac Karabtchevsky. ISAAC KARABTCHEVSKY (Translation): The Baccarelli Institute and other social movements in Latin America have dismantled this logic, because we are offering music and culture to those who had absolutely no access to them. For me that is the fundamental factor. The Baccarelli Institute has helped the Heliopolis slum move from the news crime section to the culture pages, but it's still a rough place and the students often go home to violent neighbourhoods or insecure families. Clebert has just started at the Institute, he is a joyful 10-year-old boy but his geniality masks a difficult past. CLEBERT (Translation): When I was little, three years old, almost four, my dad was very old, over 80. By now, he must be dead. Because my mother could not afford to live with me she called the child protection service and said she was poor and could not live with me anymore. Clebert now lives with his Godmother and goes to school in the morning and attends music lessons in the afternoon. He already sees a changing future ahead. CLEBERT (Translation): When I was little I wanted to be a scientist, but after joining the Institute I realised I love playing the viola. And now I want to be a violinist…. I mean violist. But for some students like Tais, it can be very hard to play what they love. TAIS (Translation): I was walking by, then…. Suddenly in that hallway I heard a beautiful sound, I went in to see and I liked it. I thought it sounded wonderful. Tais is struggling to prove she has what it takes to be here and she is doing it without the support of her family. TAIS (Translation): I want to be here, because I believe in myself. I know I will have a future ahead, the Institute offers many opportunities. I know I will succeed in life even with my parents not believing in me. One day they will see, because this is what I really like to do. Tais puts on a brave face while we're talking but she is worried about failing her exams and what little future she sees for herself out there and the rest of Heliopolis. This is the school where this all began, where Silvio Baccarelli first met Denise when she was a student 15 years ago and where recently Clebert first heard about the orchestra. Today Denise has come back for a visit. Maria was one of Denise's teachers in first grade and she is very proud of who Denise has become. MARIA (Translation): Denise is a girl who really dedicated herself to music. I welcomed her in first grade and, thanks to God, here she is. Denise never thought she would be standing where Baccarelli once stood, sharing what he once shared with her. DENISE DESOUZA (Translation): The world of music made me very happy and became my life and I hope music will become your life as well. All you need is to want it. I’m going to play a popular song, nothing classical, “How Big is my Love For You.” By Robert Carlos, as my tribute to this school which I love so much as it was through this school that everything good in m y life began. I will play a bit of it for you now. It is your turn to shine when you are playing, or sometimes you are just an accompanist, just like in society, respecting others and knowing how to demand respect when necessary. Denise says that sense of respect is the most important gift the Institute has given both her and Heliopolis. EDILSON VENTURELI (Translation): We have the chance of being on big stages and getting a standing ovation from the audience. And that boosts the kids’ self-esteem sky-high. When you have healthy self-esteem you won’t be seduced by drug dealing, violence or follow a twisted path in life because you see light at the end of the tunnel. From those humble beginnings the Sinfonica Heliopolis is now attracting international attention. Tonight it's Luis's time to shine with a flute solo. His father is beaming. FATHER (Translation): As a very humble family, we feel great pride and always make sure we come and see him, like today. Lots of pride, huge pride. ISAAC KARABTCHEVSKY (Translation): They listen to each other, exchange ideas – always looking for a common goal. This is the most important aspect of the musical work of the Baccarelli Institute. YALDA HAKIM: Beautiful music and beautiful film making from Aaron Lewis. If you want to hear more from the Heliopolis symphony there is a video of them performing on our website along with extra information about their work.