Orchestrating Communities: an Investigation of El Sistema and Its
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Orchestrating Communities: An InvestigationE of l Sistema and its Global Influences by Austin Lui A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts In School for Studies in Art and Culture Carleton University Ottawa, Ontario ©2012 Austin Lui Library and Archives Bibliotheque et Canada Archives Canada Published Heritage Direction du 1+1 Branch Patrimoine de I'edition 395 Wellington Street 395, rue Wellington Ottawa ON K1A0N4 Ottawa ON K1A 0N4 Canada Canada Your file Votre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-94649-7 Our file Notre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-94649-7 NOTICE: AVIS: The author has granted a non L'auteur a accorde une licence non exclusive exclusive license allowing Library and permettant a la Bibliotheque et Archives Archives Canada to reproduce, Canada de reproduire, publier, archiver, publish, archive, preserve, conserve, sauvegarder, conserver, transmettre au public communicate to the public by par telecommunication ou par I'lnternet, preter, telecommunication or on the Internet, distribuer et vendre des theses partout dans le loan, distrbute and sell theses monde, a des fins commerciales ou autres, sur worldwide, for commercial or non support microforme, papier, electronique et/ou commercial purposes, in microform, autres formats. paper, electronic and/or any other formats. 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Canada Abstract El Sistema is a community music program for underprivileged youth that mainly uses classical music and the orchestral medium as a tool for social development. The program’ s success as a music program has influenced music educators around the world to adopt its philosophies and methodologies in their respective communities. In this thesis, I use an interdisciplinary approach, including empirical sociological studies and critical pedagogy, to examine the social and cultural implications o f using music, particularly classical music, as a vehicle for social development within Venezuela. I also investigate ways in which other communities have adopted the philosophies and methodologies o f El Sistema. In particular, the Leading Note Foundation (LNF), a program in Ottawa, Ontario, w ill be my case study for examining El Sistema's global influences by engaging in the ways in which LNF has adapted El Sistema to reflect the needs o f Ottawa. ii Acknowledgements I would like to thank my supervisor, Professor Jesse Stewart, whose patience and knowledge has guided me through this process. I would also like to thank my graduate supervisor, James Deaville for aiding me during my entire academic career at Carleton University. I am extremely grateful for Tina Fedeski, Margaret Tobolowska and Jennifer Martinez for participating and accommodating my research and involvement in the Leading Note Foundation and OrKidstra community. Table of Contents Abstract......................................................................................................................... i Acknowledgement ........................................................................................................ii Introduction................................................................................................................. 1 Chapter 1: Literature Review .......................................................................................7 1.1 The Early Years: Pragmatism ...................................... 7 1.2 A New Way of Teaching: Critical Pedagogy ................................................. 10 1.3 Multicultural Education.............................................................................. 16 1.4 Music Education.......................................................................................... 18 1.5 Musicking and Hybridity ............................................................................ 23 Chapter 2: El Sistema................................................................................................. 28 2.1 What is El Sistema? ..................................................................................... 28 2.2 Structure and philosophy........................................................................... 31 2.3 Special Ensembles .......................................................................................38 2.4 Looking at the Issues: Venezuelan Youth Violence .....................................41 2.5 The Hidden Curriculum .............................................................................. 44 2.6 Sounding the Third Space: Music, Mimicry and Hybridity in El Sistema 49 Chapter 3: The Leading Note Foundation.................................................................. 56 3.1 History and Structure..................................................................................56 3.2 Mandate and Mission Statement ................................................................. 61 3.3 Looking at the Issues: Opportunities in Ottawa..........................................70 3.4 LNF and Ottawa Demographics...................................................................73 3.5 A M ulticultural Model..................................................................................75 Chapter 4: Conclusion................................................................................................ 82 4.1 Anew model ................................................................................................ 85 4.2 Around the w o rld........................................................................................ 87 Appendix: Sample Interview Questions.....................................................................90 1 Introduction On the weekend of March 29,2012, The Leading Note Foundation (LNF) held the final installment of the International Society for Music Education's (ISME) three- part symposium on the topicEl of Sistema. It brought international members from variousEl Sistema-inspired initiatives to discuss the prospects of a Canada-wideEl Sistema organization. The four-day event started with Carleton University's presentation of an honorary doctorate for Dr. Jos6 Abreu, the founder ofEl Sistema. A quartet o f LNF students played several pieces from their repertoire with the celebrated Simon Bolivar String Quartet, who came to Ottawa for this occasion. Founders ofEl Sistema projects around the world attended this symposium, including Richard Hallam, the founder o f Sistema Scotland; Dantes Rameau, the Executive director o f the Atlanta Music program; Jonathon Govias, anEl Sistema USA Fellow and public speaker in Music Education; and Tina Fedeski and Margaret Tobolowska, the founders of LNF. The purpose of this symposium was to facilitate an educational dialogue aboutEl Sistema, including a clarification ofElSistema's mandate, multiple ways in which music can benefit children's lives, how LNF has developed th e ir program over the years, and new directions for the expansion of El Sistema in Canada. On the evening of the symposium, the LNF and the Sfmon Bolfvar String Quartet premiered a work composed by a young composer named Nicholas Piper from Ottawa, who was commissioned to write a work for this specific event. The event encapsulated the international enthusiasm for El Sistema's innovative philosophies in music education. The performances symbolized the 2 musical dialogue and acknowledgements between both organizations, while giving opportunities to local contemporary composers and young performers. The recognition of Abreu's success with the honorary doctorate exemplifies the international dialogue occurring between El Sistema and the international music community. This occasion created a space for the sharing of practical and critical knowledge, collaborations between local and international communities, and new avenues for community formation through the orchestral medium.El Sistema and Dr. Jos6 Antonio Abreu were the clear inspirations for this symposium, establishing a national network of community orchestras in Venezuela and convincing people around the world of the power of music to be used as an effective tool for community development. However, these three days also highlighted some concerns 1 w ill address in my research on these organizations. For instance, the music being played remained in the European art tradition.El Sistema and LNF use the term "classical music" as a colloquial term to represent the European art music tradition and repertoire. Therefore, I w ill use the term "classical music" as such for the purpose of this thesis. During the symposium, the importance of representing cultural diversity and/or looking towards musical forms besides the classical tradition