Composer & Conductor
His career includes winning the first prize at the Alberto Grau CICCAG International Choral Composition Competition. He also won the first prize at the OFB choral composition competition for two years (2014-2015) and received an honorable mention at the national competition of the Ministry of Culture for choral composition and chamber ensemble in 2016 for his piece, “El Renacuajo Paseador.”
Salazar’s compositions are performed by many choirs across Colombia, and he regularly collaborates with various vocal ensembles in the country. His works often incorporate elements of popular music from his region and blend Colombian and Latin American rhythms with academic language, creating a unique sound.
In addition to composing, Jorge Alejandro Salazar is a skilled conductor. He earned his master’s degree in orchestral conducting from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia and the Artist Diploma in Orchestral Conducting at the Lamont School of Music, University of Denver. He was a semifinalist in the Cadaqués International Conducting Competition in 2010 and received the best conductor award at the VI International Choir Festival in Santander.
He has been the Musical Director at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Aurora, Colorado, since 2003 and head of conducting studies at Corpas University in Bogotá, Colombia.
He was the artistic director of the Corporación Orquestal y Coral de Colombia from 2004 to 2013.
In 2013, Salazar was the artistic coordinator of the International Choir Festival “America Cantat,” where he conducted the opening concert featuring José Buenagu’s “Cantata America” and his composition, “Canción por la Esperanza.”
Salazar has served as a guest conductor for various orchestras, including the Samara State Philharmonic Orchestra, Togliatti Philharmonic Orchestra, Lamont Symphony Orchestra, Montclair State University Symphony Orchestra, Tomsk Philharmonic Orchestra, Bogotá Philharmonic Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra of Colombia, Antioquia Symphony Orchestra, EAFIT Symphony Orchestra, Medellín Youth Symphony Orchestra, Tolima Conservatory Symphony Orchestra, Cali Philharmonic Orchestra, University of Concepción Symphony Orchestra, and Salta Symphony Orchestra.
Throughout his career, Jorge Alejandro Salazar has demonstrated a deep commitment to both composition and conducting, significantly contributing to the musical scene in Colombia and beyond.
