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El Sistema
The State Foundation for the National System of Youth and Children’s Orchestras of Venezuela (FESNOJIV - Fundación del Estado para el Sistema Nacional de Orquestas Juveniles e Infantiles de Venezuela), commonly known as 'El Sistema' is a government-funded organization, founded by maestro José Antonio Abreu, aimed at systematizing music education and promoting the collective practice of music through symphony orchestras and chorus as a means of social organization and communitarian development.
Mission
To systematize music education and to promote the collective practice of music through symphony orchestras and choruses in order to help children and young people in achieving their full potential and acquiring values that favor their growth and have a positive impact on their lives in society.
Vision
The State Foundation for the National System of Youth and Children’s Orchestras of Venezuela (FESNOJIV - Fundación del Estado para el Sistema Nacional de Orquestas Juveniles e Infantiles de Venezuela) is an organization committed to social development through an innovative and hope-instilling music education program, distinguished by its excellence and for having a positive impact on the communities where it is implemented.
Philosophy
As a seedbed for thousands of Venezuelan youngsters, the State Foundation for the National System of Youth and Children’s Orchestras of Venezuela is bearing fruit: those Venezuelan youngsters who go through El Sistema fulfill their dreams of personal and professional realization through music. These young musicians provide a daily example of self-improvement and vitality to their fellow Venezuelans. The fruit of their effort attests to the struggle engaged in to make the so-called Venezuelan music miracle endure and extend to other spheres of culture.
Music is not only the product of the talent and virtuosity of its creators; it is the reflection of the soul of the peoples and, in this case, is the outgrowth of an education program that over the past 34 years has spread beyond our borders and has surpassed all expectations.
In the past, art was a matter of minorities for minorities; then it became a matter of minorities for majorities. Nowadays it is a matter of majorities for majorities and a key element to educating and allowing people to integrate successfully into society.
El Sistema as a Model
Many international organizations recognize El Sistema as a unique program, worthy of being implemented in all the world’s nations, particularly in countries that are seeking to reduce the levels of poverty, illiteracy, and exclusion among young population.
Many music education projects have been modeled after the Venezuelan program in more than 25 countries. Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, England, Guatemala, Honduras, Italy, Jamaica, India, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Scotland, South Korea, Trinidad and Tobago, United States, and Uruguay are among them.
El Sistema has also inspired the OAS to promote the creation of the Youth Orchestra of the Americas (which made its debut in New York in 2000) and launch the Orchestra Program for Youth at Risk in the Caribbean in 2009. The Ibero-American Youth Orchestra was likewise founded. It made its debut in 1997, with support from the Andrés Bello-Unesco agreement, at the 7th Ibero-American Summit of Heads of States. Also inspired by El Sistema, the Andean Development Corporation —the financial arm of the Andean Community trade bloc (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru)— has helped create a system of youth choirs.
Musequality, a charity set up to support the development of music projects for underprivileged children in the developing world, was inspired by El Sistema and other music education programs for young people implemented around the world. Its aim, like that of El Sistema, is to give vulnerable children the chance to learn skills that offer them a route out of poverty, keeping them away from drugs, violence and crime.
In November 1995, UNESCO appointed maestro José Antonio Abreu as a special delegate for the development of a world system of youth and children’s orchestras and choirs, aiming at the promotion of the Venezuelan model across the world.
In 2009, El Ssistema in partnership with the New England Conservatory of Music, the TED Prize, TED, and the Quincy Jones MusiQ Consortium, among others, established El Sistema USA, a support and advocacy network that will grow to provide comprehensive information on El Sistema philosophy and methodology, and host a variety of resources that will aid those building, expanding and supporting El Sistema programs throughout the world.The first initiative of El Sistema USA is a postgraduate certificate program for accomplished young musicians who desire to become ambassadors of El Sistema and who are committed to developing it outside of Venezuela.
El Sistema methodology
El Sistema is a tested model of how a music program can both create great musicians and dramatically change the life trajectory of hundreds of thousands of a nation’s neediest kids. El Sistema’s approach to music education emphasizes intensive ensemble participation from the earliest stages, group learning, peer teaching and a commitment to keeping the joy and fun of musical learning and music making ever-present. Sometimes referred to as “passion first/refinement second,” the El Sistema methodology is in marked contrast to much of music education training outside of Latin America. The backbone of El Sistema student training is preparation for participation in orchestral ensembles, which are at the soul of the Núcleo community and culture. Of equal importance is choral singing and various other ensembles, which adapt well to a diversity of musical genres and origins.
Learning sequence
Kids of preschool age begin with work on body expressiveness and rhythm. Encouraging the children to keep their bodies active
while playing (without losing technique) is a key feature of the program in later years. At age 5, children pick up their
first instruments, starting with the recorder and percussion. They also join a choir in order to build community through ensemble
work. By age 7, all students can pick their first string or wind instrument. Kids can change instruments but are not encouraged
to do so frivolously.
Instruction
Early instruction includes singing and playing with the student’s instrument, often focusing on a single note within a group
song; this helps to develop a sense of quality sound. Learning how to use full standard notation often takes many years and
is incorporated into their learning organically.There are three levels of practice every week: full ensemble work, section
work and private lessons. Students often encounter the same teacher in both their group and personal lessons. This allows
student to progress quickly, as bad habits are quickly corrected and good habits are regularly enforced.
Learning through performing
Students play in front of audiences as much as possible. This reduces the pressure of formal performance, and allows performing
to become a natural part of their musical life. Students frequently watch their fellow students perform, allowing them to
both see and be inspired by the accomplishments of their peers.From a young age, the students are exposed to the variety of
orchestras within the system, from the lowest level to the internationally successful Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra.
The environment
El Sistema’s primary focus is to create a daily haven of safety, joy and fun that builds every child’s self-esteem and sense
of value. Discipline is relaxed but enforced. Attendance is not an issue; the children want to be at their local Núcleo for
themselves, their teachers and their fellow students. Hard work and true achievement are crucial to the success of El Sistema.
However, a feeling of fun is never forgotten.
Teachers
The majority of El Sistema teachers and Núcleo leaders are former students of the program. They understand both the social
and musical mission of the program — they nurture both the individual person and the musician at the same time. Teachers are
able to provide individual attention to each student. If they notice a child has missed a second day at the Núcleo without
prior notice, they often go to the home to enquire about the absence.
Curriculum
El Sistema has a national curriculum, including an established musical sequence. However, local leaders can customize their
program. The entire musical curriculum starts with simple arrangements of big pieces with big sound. These masterworks are
often reintroduced as the children progress through the system. As Gustavo Dudamel says, “We have lived our whole lives inside
these pieces. When we play Beethoven’s Fifth, it is the most important thing happening in the world.”
Music
El Sistema introduces its students to both internationally known classical composers and Latin American composers and Venezuelan
folk musicians.
Work with parents
El Sistema takes considerable time working with the parents of students. For a child of age 2 or 3, teachers make home visits
to ensure that the family understands the level of commitment required of them. As the students begin to learn their instruments,
teachers instruct parents on how best to support their child’s practice schedule at home, giving feedback and encouragement.
If a student gets into a youth or city orchestra, they will receive a stipend; this not only honors his/her accomplishments
but places real value on the music making for the family, so they don’t need to pull the child out of El Sistema to work.
Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela
The Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela (SBYOV) was founded on February 12, 1975, by maestro José Antonio Abreu, and is the most polished artistic product of the National System of Youth and Children’s Orchestras.
The orchestra has had two principal conductors: its founder, maestro Abreu, who held the post for over two decades and maestro Alfredo Rugeles, its current artistic director. In addition to Dr. Abreu and maestro Rugeles, the orchestra has welcomed notable guest conductors to its podium, whose contributions to the orchestra’s artistic standards proved invaluable.
The SBYOV has performed with famous soloists and renowned ensembles. It has appeared in many music festivals, gala concerts, and special events in and out of the country, and it has played at many of the most important venues of Europe, Asia, and North and South America.
The Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela. Conductor: Alfredo Rugeles. Photo: Charlie RieraOrchestral Academic Program. Conductor: Gustavo Dudamel.
The SBYOV’s varied repertoire includes important Venezuelan and Latin-American pieces which have won renown and popularity due to the orchestra’s performances and recordings. Between 1980 and 1981, the orchestra released three albums, and in the nineties, produced some recordings for Dorian under the baton of Eduardo Mata, Enrique Diemecke, Maximiano Valdés and Keri-Lynn Wilson. In 2006, the SBYOV began to record for Deutsche Grammophone under the bation of Gustavo Dudamel. Three compact discs has already been produced.
Since 1976 the Teresa Carreño Theater is its permanent home, wherein the orchestra’s weekly performances are held and the Orchestral Academic Program (Programa Académico Orquestal) is developed since 2001. Through this program, the best musicians from the Núcleos around the country join the SBYOV – led by Gustavo Dudamel - and continue their music education under the tutelage of world-renowned institutions and El Sistema's most experienced musicians.
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