Lakhasly

Gustavo Du mel is the musical

director of the Venezuelan

Youth Orchestra.ONIO ABREU trained and worked as an ec many years, but his dream was to have a life He fulfilled that dream, firstly through individus mance, but more importantly through foundine ..It pays for instruments and teaching for 20 over 500,000 young musicians who are involved in the programme and also provides monthly grants to older pupils as a reward for their hard work.El Sistema is an innovative scheme for teachinusic to children from diverse social backgrounds.It can present opportunities to travel via tours within Venezuela and abroad.Students start in a choir and work on rhythm and percussion before moving on to playing the recorder and then finally choosing their instrument at the age of seven.Private companies often sponsor local 25 groups and parents also raise funds for tours.It has been so successful that an orchestra which is part of the scheme-the Venezuelan National Youth Orchestra -has been named among the five leading orchestras in the world.While discipline is important, the musical training also emphasizes fun, team spirit, physical expression and the 35 value of performance.(4)

When he first started the orchestra, Abreu had managed to get 50 music stands for the 100 children he was expecting to come and rehearse.so He's gained confidence, learnt discipline and he's

definitely back on track'

CRITICAL THINKING Understanding and

Gustavo Du mel is the musical

director of the Venezuelan

Youth Orchestra.

ONIO ABREU trained and worked as an ec many years, but his dream was to have a life He fulfilled that dream, firstly through individus mance, but more importantly through foundine . El Sistema is an innovative scheme for teachinusic to children from diverse social backgrounds. It has been so successful that an orchestra which is part of the scheme-the Venezuelan National Youth Orchestra -has been named among the five leading orchestras in the world. (1) 10

17 JOSE

WAY

However, money is not the only factor in its success. (3) C.New students can start from as young as

three, but students and their parents must agree to a strict set of rules and attend classes and rehearsals for between 30 one and four hours a day, up to six days a week. Teachers may visit parents to help them understand the hours required to improve and how to support their children. While discipline is important, the musical training also emphasizes fun, team spirit, physical expression and the 35 value of performance. Students start in a choir and work on rhythm and percussion before moving on to playing the recorder and then finally choosing their instrument at the age of seven. (4)

When he first started the orchestra, Abreu had managed to get 50 music stands for the 100 children he was expecting to come and rehearse. In the end, only 11 turned up. What was he going to do? Give up or try and attract many more children to fill those spaces? In fact, he went several steps 15 further and promised those 11 students that he would turn the orchestra into a world leader! So apart from this driving ambition, how did it happen?

El Sistema is seen by many people from low-income 40 families as a way to stay in education and escape poverty. It can present opportunities to travel via tours within Venezuela and abroad. (5) 4 NO wonder many other countries have looked to copy the programme. Setting up a 'sistema' is not a straightforward process 4s and there have been mixed results. (6) As one parent from the Scottish Sistema put it, 'My son was struggling, and I was worried he was going to go off school and maybe end up getting in with the wrong kids. El Sistema has made a huge difference.

.It pays for instruments and teaching for 20 over 500,000 young musicians who are involved in the programme and also provides monthly grants to older pupils as a reward for their hard work. It also pays for performances and teaching younger children in the programme. Private companies often sponsor local 25 groups and parents also raise funds for tours.

so He's gained confidence, learnt discipline and he's

definitely back on track'

CRITICAL THINKING Understanding and