El Sistema--Keeping Kids Off the Streets through Classical Music

Hi everyone!

I wanted to focus on something positive today, something inspiring, something that proves that there is still humanity and good in the world despite daily headlines. That something good comes in the form of El Sistema.

For those of you who haven't heard of it, El Sistema is a Venezuelan-based program that aims to get thousands of Venezuelan children off the streets and into classical music. Schools across the country, though predominantly within the country's most poverty-stricken and crime-ridden neighborhoods, have set up these special after school programs from 2 until 6pm that teach kids how to play an instrument, how to sing, conduct, and even repair instruments themselves.

The program was founded in 1975 by Jose Antonio Abreu, a trained musician and economist. In the ensuing 37 years, El Sistema has enrolled 310,000 children (starting at preschool and continuing through high school) in 280 teaching venues--called nucleos. According to El Sistema's executive director, Eduardo Mendez, the program has launched some 500 orchestras across the country, including the world-renowned Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra.

While much deserved criticism has been aimed at Venezuela's populist president, Hugo Chavez, who faces a critical election later this year, credit should be given to a government that believes in the introduction of classical music to young people, especially those who might otherwise have fallen victim to drugs, prostitution, or other crimes that are so rife within Venezuelan society today. The Chavez government allots around $64 million a year to El Sistema whose goal is to touch the lives of 500,000 children by 2015.

One of El Sistema's most famous graduates is conductor Gustavo Dudamel. Mr. Dudamel--who is only thirty-one--is currently the music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and is currently in Caracas with the Philharmonic to perform a complete cycle of Mahler's symphonies. While most of El Sistema's graduates do not necessarily go on to celebrated music careers, many return to the program as adults to teach and offer encouragement. As one adult graduate states, "Once you get touched by El Sistema, you will never leave El Sistema."

While researching the program online, I was pleased to discover that El Sistema's reach has extended beyond Venezuela with affiliate programs being established throughout the US and overseas. Click here to learn more about El Sistema and find out whether your community is within El Sistema's network: http://elsistemausa.org/.

That's the beauty of classical music. It can reach out and affect everyone, regardless of socioeconomics, nationality, or creed. Mr. Abreu, you do your country and educators throughout the world--whether musically-inclined or not--proud. Thank you!

Ciao.