In 1994, C. Vilar Amplificacion became the first sound company in the nation of Colombia to bring in a full professional PA system with structures and rigging capabilities, capable of supplying a name-brand system large enough to provide reinforcement for large-scale events as well as international touring acts visiting the country.
And they’ve stayed quite busy ever since, and then some. Recent tours and events the company has supplied sound reinforcement and production support to include Elton John, Cold Play, Latin superstars Juanes and Carlos Vives, and even the annual Cartagena Classical Music Festival.
Most recently, they provided sound for several thousand at a sold-out concert by Sting at the Corferias Auditorium in Bogata.
It all began about 25 years ago with a former musician and a couple of small loudspeakers.
That musician, Cesar Vilar, started his business in 1985 and has helped his company evolve into a thriving sound and production entity in the South American market.
Along the way, he has been joined by his sons Leo and Mauricio, who have taken their roles in the growing enterprise seriously from the start.
Leo studied at Columbia College in Chicago and graduated with a degree audio/acoustics degree, while Mauricio gained his formal education at Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL.
They continue to expand their knowledge base, attending SynAudCon classes and attending educational sessions and lectures by noted live and recording engineers such as Robert Scovill, Bruce Swedien, Roger Nichols, Salvador Castañeda (Sonotribe), and Buford Jones.
C. Vilar Amplificacion’s business continues to grow, with the company also providing full-scale installation services in addition to video, lighting, programming,backline and more.
Recent big projects on the install side include the much-lauded Mediatorta Theatre in Bogota, the Gaira Cafe owned by Vives, and some of the largest churches in the region.