The unique musical education program known as El Sistema that now teaches music to 300,000 of Venezuela’s poorest children was born 33 years ago in a parking garage in Caracas, when conductor, composer and economist Dr. José Antonio Abreu gathered together 12 children to play music. “The huge spiritual world that music produces in itself, ends up overcoming material poverty,” says Dr. Abreu. “From the minute a child’s taught how to play an instrument, he’s no longer poor. He becomes a child in progress, heading for a professional level, who’ll later become a citizen”

Trailer from the film El Sistema, on YouTube.

Abreu developed the idea of combining social work with classical music, in order to offer children from poor neighbourhoods an alternative to life on the streets. More than five million people, half of them children, live in the impromptu neighbourhoods of Caracas alone. El Sistema shows how a music program can both create great musicians and change the lives of hundreds of thousands of a nation’s neediest children.

Among its graduates, El Sistema has nurtured international musicians such as double bass player Edicson Ruiz, who at age 17 became the youngest musician ever to join the Berlin Philharmonic, and 26-year-old conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the world-renowned Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra.

Many children begin attending their local El Sistema center, called a “nucleo,” as early as age 2 or 3, with most continuing well into their teens; attending up to six days a week, three to four hours a day, plus retreats and intensive workshops. Participation is free for all students. The country now has over 60 children’s orchestras, almost 200 youth orchestras, 30 professional adult orchestras and dozens of choruses.

At age 5, children pick up their first instruments, starting with the recorder and percussion, and join a choir in order to build community through ensemble work. By age 7, all students can pick their first string or wind instrument. There are three levels of practice every week: full ensemble work, section work and private lessons. Students play in front of audiences as much as possible, and frequently watch their fellow students perform, inspiring them through the accomplishments of their peers.

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. The majority of El Sistema teachers and nucleo leaders are former students who understand the program’s social and musical mission, nurturing 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 nucleo without prior notice, they often go to the home to enquire about the absence.

El Sistema takes considerable time working with parents. 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.

El Sistema grows from loving children first and loving music second. Emphasis is placed on creating a community that supports one another. Teachers and students alike are invested in both personal and community success, creating a place where children feel safe and challenged. El Sistema graduates leave with a sense of capability, endurance and resilience — owning a confidence about taking on enormous challenges in their lives. A deep sense of value, of being loved and appreciated, and a trust for group process and cooperation, enables them to feel that excellence is in their own hands.

This article was compiled primarily from information on the website of El Sistema USA, a support and advocacy network for people and organizations inspired by the program, and from the website of the film El Sistema, a film by Paul Smaczny and Maria Stodtmeier, presented by EuroArts Music, that premiered in Europe in the spring of 2009. The photo also comes from the Gallery on the film's website. I first heard about El Sistema on the Daily Good and its story entitled An Orchestra Making a Difference.