El Sistema at 50 – The Movement that Started it All

In 1975, Venezuelan economist and musician Dr. José Antonio Abreu had the idea of expanding the reach of music education to make it available more widely to the young people of his country. Beginning with 11 students meeting initially in the only available space, an underground parking lot, Abreu worked relentlessly to expand the program, which quickly evolved into the movement popularly nicknamed “El Sistema” (the System). 

In Abreu’s vision, learning music was a form of social action to nurture better citizens for whom there should be no barriers to access, regardless of a child’s economic circumstances, challenges, or special needs and abilities. Using the orchestra as a model society (“whose only purpose is to be in harmony with itself”), El Sistema grew to include teaching centres (“nucleos”) in economically challenged neighbourhoods with persistent problems of crime, gangs and drug use, in juvenile correctional facilities, as well as programs run by Indigenous communities, others serving youth with special needs and disabilities, and programs teaching the art of instrument making and repair. With its toddler-to young adult program, emphasis on group learning, play and teamwork, today more than 2,000,000 Venezuelans have experienced El Sistema, which has produced 400 nucleos and given rise to more than 170 orchestras, and in addition to symphonic ensembles, has choral, jazz and has spurred a renaissance in Venezuelan folk-traditional music.

Today, El Sistema inspired programs have spread to more than 60 countries worldwide, including Canada.  While the musical results produced by these programs are impressive and inspiring, the central purpose of El Sistema is “Social Action Through Music.” 

Join us for a discussion of this revolutionary movement, moderated by Eric Booth and Tricia Tunstall, publishers of the worldwide newsletter of El Sistema, “The Ensemble” and a panel of leaders from international El Sistema programs.

“Music has to be recognized as an . . . agent of social development in the highest sense, because it transmits the highest values – solidarity, harmony, mutual compassion. And it has the ability to unite an entire community and to express sublime feelings.”
– José Antonio Abreu