The Decibells

Afonso Silva | João Fausto Borges | João Freitas | Tomás Lima › Trombone

The DeciBells are a trombone quartet formed in 2025 by João Borges, João Freitas, Tomás Lima and Afonso Silva. They are currently developing their artistic work under the guidance of Hugo Assunção and Ricardo Pereira.

João Fausto Gouveia Borges, a native of Braga, began his musical studies at the Calouste Gulbenkian Conservatory of Music in Braga. He distinguished himself by winning 1st Prize at the Oliveira de Azeméis International Wind Instrument Competition and by being selected for the reserve lists of the Gulbenkian Orchestra Academy, the Youth Orchestra of the Galician Symphony Orchestra and the Mahler Student Festival Orchestra.

João Ricardo Martins Freitas, from Guimarães, began his musical studies at the age of six. Throughout his career, he has won several prizes in national and international competitions, including the Alto Minho International Wind Instrument Competition and the Terras de La Salette Competition. He was a finalist on two occasions in the Gilberto Gagliardi International Competition, part of the International Trombone Festival in the United States of America.

Tomás Lima, a native of Ponte de Lima, began his musical studies with the Ponte de Lima Wind Band, later continuing at the Fernandes Fão Music Academy. He is a member of the Youth Symphony Orchestra and has performed with the Portuguese Youth Orchestra, the Mahler Student Festival Orchestra and the Sintra Municipal Orchestra. He has distinguished himself by winning several prizes at the Alto Minho International Wind Instrument Competition and by winning the Oliveira de Azeméis International Wind Instrument Competition.

Afonso Silva began his musical studies on the Articulated Music Course at the Orfeão de Ovar and completed his secondary education at the Espinho Professional School of Music. He has collaborated with various national and international orchestras, including the Gulbenkian Orchestra, the Portuguese Philharmonic Orchestra, the Orchestre National des Jeunes du Luxembourg, etc. In 2025, he joined the Gulbenkian Orchestra Internship and, in 2026, was selected for international projects in Poland, Italy and Luxembourg.