Play, sing and strive

Programs of the National Network of Youth and Children’s Orchestra and Choirs of In their true essence, orchestras and choirs are much more than artistic structures. They are fruitful soil for the cultivation of values, abilities, and attitudes needed for individual, collective, and civic growth and self-improvement. They are unbeatable social models and schools, which aim to perfec- tion and excellence. Because playing and singing together means to coexist in an endearing and respectable way.

Maestro José Antonio Abreu A Peace and Progress Model for Humankind

The National Network of Youth and individuals in the society. With its excellent musicians, composers, Children’s Orchestras of Venezuela intensive individual and ensemble conductors, soloists, and teachers, (El Sistema) is a social and cultural music practice, El Sistema includes but also train these young people to program of the Venezuelan State. children from all socio-econo- make and repair their own musical The organization belongs to the mic levels: 66% come from low instruments (Lutherie Program); to Simon Bolivar Musical Foundation income homes or live in adverse empower disabled children and tee- and is attached to the Ministry of conditions and vulnerable areas, nagers through the Special Educa- Popular Power for the Presidential while the remaining 34% come from tion Program; to assist hospital-con- Office and for Government Mana- urban areas with better access fined participants; to offer spiritual gement Follow Up for the Bolivarian possibilities. This mix embodies a and psychological guidance for men Republic of Venezuela. model of inclusion that mirrors the and women in prison through the This educational model, created in Venezuelan population, without any Penitentiary Academic Program; to 1975 by the Venezuelan maestro discrimination. stimulate infant development with and musician José Antonio Abreu, Over the last four decades, El the New Members Program; and to unfolds from early stage education Sistema has created innovative motivate family togetherness with into comprehensive learning for programs that not only nurture the Paper Orchestra program. Two additional programs round out the rich array of El Sistema’s educational options: the Alma Llanera Program, which instills the love and practice of Venezuelan music in our young citizens, and the New Orchestra and Musical Genres Program that offers each musician the opportunity to create in their own style. 1.000.000 children and teenagers incorporated Orchestra and Choir Training in our 2019 goal Program repertoire; and they succeed on VENEZUELA DEVELOPS THROUGH THE MUSIC national and international stages. The enormous scale and growth The intensive group and individual achieved by the Orchestra and Choir music instruction and practice Program requires organizational model of the Orchestra and Choir structure and effective national ma- Training Program is the basis for all nagement. This national efficiency El Sistema programs. has enabled the formation of a wide By belonging to orchestras and range of local branches. choirs, both of which are employed They are located in all regions and as instruments for social organi- cities of Venezuela, and they contain zation and human development, seven regional-branches of the hundreds of thousands of children Simon Bolivar Music Conservatory. are socially included, providing Each branch has enough space for them healthy life choices and a wide 18 academies, specializing in the horizon of options as a professional study of an equal number of instru- musician. ments, and serves as the headquar- In front of the music stand and un- ters for all the orchestras, groups, der the leadership of the conductor, choirs and programs of El Sistema. music becomes powerful agent for The modular structure allows El positive change. Students learn to Sistema to reach the most remote work in teams, striving to achieve towns in the country, in border area ambitious objectives; they progress communities, in neighborhoods, The Simon Bolivar National Youth Coral in Cologne, Germany through the challenges of escalating Gustavo Dudamel in concert with the National Children’s’ Symphonic Orchestra of Venezuela and schools, so that no Venezuelan child is left outside the joy and grow- levels in the program; they master professors, teachers, a sequential symphonic and choral branches hold orchestras, th brought by music. and instructors train choirs, groups, and 6,000 all musicians and 371 educational programs choir members

500,000 modules allow El young venezuelans are the children and youth heart and soul of Sistema to reach choirs are part of the El Sistema communities, schools, National Choir Network 1,182 and the most remote 364 villages

children, pre-children, and children of indigenous youth orchestras are the communities are 828 sound of Venezuela 530 assisted by El Sistema Special Education Program Inclusion and Barrier-Free Development The Special Education Program (PEE gestural language. Bell Orchestra, and the Recorder in Spanish) was created in 1995 All of this awakens and strengthens Ensemble, which are located in the with the intention to assist children the internal sense of rhythm in hea- states where the PEE program has and young people with functional ring-impaired students. been established: , , differences or physical and cognitive Other artistic groups of the PEE Distrito Capital, Guárico, Táchira, disabilities. In the PEE, music works program are: Alma Llanera Integra- Falcón, Mérida, , , Truji- as a tool that develops potential, tion Typical Orchestra, the Drum llo, Lara, Portuguesa, Bolívar, Nueva autonomy, and social inclusion. Ensemble, the Rhythmic Band, the Esparta, Anzoátegui and . Since its beginnings, the PEE inclu- ded children and young people with impaired hearing, sight or cognitive abilities; with motor disability; with I am a blind violinist. I have learning difficulties, autism, Down been able to read music Syndrome, among other conditions. thanks to the Braille system. The program started by assisting I am a happy person because of El 16 children with learning difficulties Member of the PEE in Zulia and Anzoátegui Sistema’s orchestras and choirs, and 12 with impaired sight. Today, and the light music has over 2,800 children thrive under the given to me care and supervision of over 100 specialized teachers and instructors. Luisana Freites. Barquisimeto branch The PEE founded the Research and Printing Center for Braille Music Sheets in Barquisimeto (Lara State) to provide literary instruction and to children are assisted by enable the musical work of children the PEE and adults with impaired sight, so 2,800 they can create music and join the choirs. specialized teachers Later, a Functional Diversity and instructors work for children with Teaching Training Center opened 100 disabilities its doors in Caracas. Among the ensembles and choirs created by the PEE, the White Hand Choir is the branches of El Sistema currently run the Special signature group, which emphasizes Lara Somos. Special Education Program Group Education Program eloquent corporal expression and 16 Healthcare Program A healing and living tool

In June 2012, the Simon Bolivar Mu- The PAH Program intends to in- sical Foundation created the Heal- corporate sick children into the El thcare Program (PAH in Spanish) to Sistema orchestra and choir branch musically train hospitalized children located closest to their homes, and young people. With this, El Sis- once they are released from the tema seeks to help patients with ill- health facility. So music will still be nesses that require that they stay in with them as they return to their healthcare centers for long periods. home lives. The José Manuel de los Music becomes a therapeutic tool Ríos Children’s Hospital, located in and healing hope for many of them. Caracas, is the pilot branch for this Through the close contact with mu- program. sic, this program decreases anxiety Since the effectiveness of the pro- and stress levels caused by poor gram was proven, this project has I have been battling against health, which benefits patients, and become a regular program that has cancer and I feel very grateful to improves the family-patient-doctor cared for 500 children, partnering God for giving me this enormous relationship. with 20 health professionals. strength to keep going. A year ago, music entered the hospital, and it interested me, so I started to play cuatro. I was a cuatro player. After that, I got a problem in my arm, and it was amputat- ed. But we have to keep playing. Then, I got into percussion. Now, I play the xylophone, and I feel very happy

Rafael Rendón. Member of the Healthcare Program

children participate in 500 the PAH New Members of El Sistema Program Born and Raise with Music The New Member Program (NIS in Spanish) started in December 2012. Integrating orchestra and family, it brings babies closer to symphonic music, develops their innate musical talents, from their prenatal period up to 3 years of age. The NIS provides the opportunity for them to enter an orchestra or choir branch of El Sistema early to continue their artistic development. Through concerts and recitals in hospitals and in the National Social Action Center for Music, a National The child contact with Network of Youth and Children’s music should be establi- Orchestras of Venezuela venue, the shed even before their birth. NIS invites the whole family to enjoy Music will generate a wonderful musical presentations by members stimulus in the baby that will reach directly to their soul, spirit, and their emotional and physical growth. A of El Sistema together. When the ba- medal or musical pin, and a CD with baby who is stimulated with music bies and their families attend these educational and classical music con- from his birth, will be a calm child, 1,600 activities for the first time, they are tent. And also, they are permanently pregnant mother, fathers, babies, closer to their family bonds. Music and children of ages 1 to 3 have enrolled in the program, and they invited to concerts and activities is a transformation vehicle since the participated in the NIS receive a membership certificate, a programmed especially for them. moment you hear it for the first time

M.D. Rivali Soto José, NIS Program Alma Llanera Program NATIONALISTIC CALLING

Since its foundation in 1975, El directly linked to and guided by ex- Sistema has strongly emphasized perts of the genre. The Alma Llanera I waited 50 years of my life the knowledge and dissemination of Program combines traditional music to listen to a children and Venezuelan traditional and folkloric teaching methods with the music’s youth orchestra like this one, from music. El Sistema has made this vision of collective practice. This pro- the Alma Llanera Program, so fresh repertoire more widely known and gram nurtures the cultural wealth of and traditional. The Youth Orches- has formed diverse ensembles, the nation’s different regions, and tra and Choir Network is the most orchestras, and groups dedicated to disseminates traditional Venezuelan wonderful thing that has happened this musical genre. music through recitals, concerts, to music in Venezuela. This program This proud national commitment and festivals. represents the future of Venezuelan was systematized and intensified music, and I am happy because all these children are getting to know when the Alma Llanera Program Alma Llanera’s Children and Youth Orchestra, Guárico State was created. Following the educa- all my music work, and that of those tional and philosophical model of El who make folklore music Sistema, this program has initiated, developed and deepened the study Juan Vicente Torrealba. Venezuelan and dissemination of traditional composer, Creole harp player, Venezuelan music. Among the folklore musician main objectives of this program are the rescue of Venezuelan musical instruments considered extinct, such as the Carrizo. Also, it intends to transcribe, disseminate, and Alma Llanera groups, folklore appraise the musical works from the 73 music orchestras, national traditional repertoire, which representing musical have historically been preserved diversity in Venezuela only orally. Through this program, children at all national branches of El Sistema can now study Venezue- musical compositions lan musical instruments, such as from Venezuelan cuatro, guitar, bandola, mandolin, 40 folklore have Creole harp, maracas, and popular been rescued and transcribed to music bass, with an academic study plan, sheets Penitentiary Academic Program Rehabilitation and Social Reintegration

The Penitentiary Academic Program The Penitentiary Orchestra of Yare (PAP) was created in 2007 to reduce violence within prisons, and to strengthen the social reintegration process for male and female convicts. This program’s implemen- tation gave birth to the Penitentiary Orchestra and Choir Network. This program is led by the Simon Bolivar Musical Foundation and the Ministry All this have been of Popular Power for the Interior, beautiful (…) I started Justice and Peace, under the to be very disciplined, sponsorship of the Inter-American and stopped cursing. Development Bank. We are so busy with The program is established in the orchestra we have the National Institute for Women in prison, learning new Orientation (INOF, in Spanish) in the musical works the Andean region, Santa Ana, Cara- teacher gives us, that bobo (Mínima de Tocuyito), Insular we stopped being region Penitentiary Centers; Coro’s violent Penitentiary Community; Judicial Through the PAP, about 270,000 Facilities of Barinas; and Tocuyito’s hours of academic instruction have concerts have Heidy Seijas. Violinist. Inmate of the been given by the National Institute for Women Orientation Women Annex. The goal of program been provided, as well as over 700 Penitentiary Orchestra (INOF). Los Teques, Venezuela is to provide musical education to presentations, recitals, education 700 and Choir Network 10% of the penitentiary population. concerts, performances, and external Since its launch, the Penitentiary and internal exhibitions have been Orchestra and Choir Network for accomplished. A number of the be- men and women Rehabilitation and Social Reintegra- neficiaries continue with their music 270,000 inmates are tion has benefited 7,900 inmates. studies once they are released. academic instruction hours have 7,900 benefited by the been taught in the PAP PAP

penitentiary centers in Venezuela have 8 orchestras and choirs Paper Orchestra Program Upon completion of the manufacturing process of the instrument, the young ones musicians Fun Musical Initiation integrate an orchestra

Created in 2005, the Paper Orches- ment, the social reinforcement materials. The program’s audiovi- tra Program (POP) was designed acquired through collective work, sual and artistic activities are scaled to make children’s initiation into and the closeness with the family to meet different educational levels. student orchestras and choirs at in the musical activity. They make Different ages are matched with the the ages of 3-6 a happy and positive instruments with their parents, right level of theoretical and practi- The initiative to participate in experience. using papier-mâché or recyclable cal complexity. the Paper Orchestra Pro- POP aims for children and families gram was great, and achieving to gain basic knowledge about the our family integration through symphonic orchestra: identifying the project was a total suc- different instruments, sections, and cess. All participating families tones; developing the psychomotor were dedicated to instrument skills for a child to be able to play a building, and usually we could musical instrument; and stimulating run into parents who were also the sense of orchestra discipline looking for materials. But the and attention to the conductor. most important aspect was the The most important tool is singing. contagious enthusiasm of Es- By singing the children develop tefanía, the future violinist, who basic musical abilities like rhythm kept saying: we have to make my and melody, accompanied by a violin very beautiful harmonic instrument. The strength of the program lies in the link the Higuera Malavé Family children make with their instru-

initiation groups present 927 in El Sistema preschools have established the Paper 48 Orchestra Program 12,000 children join this program annually Academic Lutherie Program One of my dreams is that Music Artisans we can cater the natio- The Academic Lutherie Center (CAL thus benefiting orchestras, bands, This integrates them into the job nal market demand with our in Spanish) was created in 1982 by and other musical organizations. market and gives them the tools to hand-made musical instruments, the Simon Bolivar Musical Founda- The program creates a sustainable start their own production business. in which we poured our hearts. tion, to develop expert professionals pathway for young people who wish This work has spread beyond El For us, the most significant who could manufacture, service, to train to assist musical making in Sistema sites and Venezuelan bor- aspect is that every violin, every and repair symphonic and popular this way. ders. Through the Lutherie Roaming viola, every harp, or every cuatro instruments required by musical Nowadays, El Sistema has 27 luthe- Workshop from the Andean Deve- made in CAL, is played by a stu- groups, including those used in the rie workshops in the country, with lopment Corporation’s (CAF) Social dent of El Sistema, and that they Alma Llanera Program. Through a roster of 130 teachers who train Action Program, El Sistema has feel proud to have it the Music Artisans professional young students who wish learn the collaborated with luthier training development process, young mu- manufacture and repair of musical in Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador Henry Parra. CAL Coordinator and sicians learn the work of a luthier, instruments. and Peru. Instructor (String section)

The teacher Alaluna Romulus, founder of CAL lutherie workshops from El Sistema scholarship 27 present in the whole students are country 300 prepared in CAL’s luthier workshops

Young Apprentice Workshop Lutherie nucleo Guatire New Orchestras and Music Genres Program Creativity and Versatility With professionalism and excellence of choices for El Sistema partici- represent pilot orchestras that have always as the guide, El Sistema pants include new groups like the been copied in other sites around offers every student a wide horizon Symphonic Rock Orchestra, the Venezuela. of artistic and creative possibilities. Simon Bolivar Latin- This new generation of attractive ar- They can participate in a wide range Orchestra, the African-Venezuelan tistic expressions brings high levels of orchestras and ensembles with Orchestra and the Simon Bolivar Big of creativity and versatility to our a diversity of musical genres and Band Jazz. young music innovators, and also, styles. From jazz to rock, all the way These were born inside the Simon brings new audiences of all ages through Latin inheritance rhythms, Bolivar Music Conservatory and and interests. African-Venezuelan, Caribbean, traditional Venezuelan, traditional Afro Orchestra Simon Bolivar world music, or cutting edge sounds like fusions and urban music are present in the New Orchestras and Music Genres Program. Some examples of the wide variety

The rock and jazz, two attractive genre for students of El Sistema

groups dedicated 3,344 to all music genres in El Sistema

high level instructors and 132 professors teach in the Conservatory

students are 3,919 members of the Simon Bolivar Music Conservatory Advantages and Benefits of the Programs of the Youth and Children’s Orchestras and Choirs of Venezuela

New Members of El Sistema Program

· Stimulates the baby’s growth from before birth Lutherie Program Paper Orchestra Program · Allows socialization of small children Orchestra and Choir Training with other children of their age · Offers work training in specialized · Secures a fun approach towards music Program Healthcare Program materials for young people · Establishes music learning from ·Develops self-esteem, concentra- Designed to provide healing and · Generates new work sources for · preschool tion, discipline, competitiveness, life hope for the patients artisans and luthiers and leadership El Sistema’s positive impact spreads to · Includes sick youth in an orches- · Trains musicians and artistic tra with other children who also teachers, families, ambassadors at the international suffer an illness and communities level Each one of El contributing with Sistema’s Programs the formation and have been designed establishment of to develop values, a peace and social New Orchestras and Music abilities, and attitudes Penitentiary Academic Program justice culture Genres Program in children · Diminishes violence in prisons · Offers academic formation for Special Education Program Alma Llanera Program popular genre musicians · Reinstates prisoner self-esteem, · Includes disabled children in collective · Honors and rescues Venezuelan dignity, and personal assessment · Promotes the emergence of artistic activities folklore and musical traditions groups of all styles · Celebrates the work of folklore musi- · Stimulates attention, learning, and cians and representatives of the genre following instructions Music’s Social Action Infrastructure

Thanks to El Sistema, Maestro Abreu has placed Venezuela at the international children all over the world cultural forefront. The Orchestra and Choir Network has can benefit from the power of overflowed frontiers, and it has become a gift from Venezuela music to achieve a change in their to the world. Thanks Maestro Abreu lives. However, in a deeper sense, Rubén Blades. Panamanian Composer, Director, Singer El Sistema is a social program that has saved many lives, and will continue saving many more

Sir Simon Rattle, Berlin Philharmonic’s Musical Director Many people know Venezuela as an oil exporter, but not everyone know the biggest and best export this country has to offer is the one that reaches most souls in Latin America: the Network of Youth and Children’s Orchestras and Choirs. A program through which we have seen many Latin-American children trade a gunshot for a violin, children who now have illusions, a useful life, and a future filled with opportunities Luis Alberto Moreno. President of the Inter- American Development Bank (IDB)

El Sistema surprises us even more as time progresses. We are witnesses of that now, here in Salzburg, with the tears of the audience. So, one wonders: How can we understand this? How is it that, at their short age, these children can play with such quality?. And I wonder again: What would have happened with these children if they did not have their music? National Social Action Center for Music (CNASPM), located in Caracas, is the model and pilot facility for a series of planned buildings that will be erected in all regions of the country, thanks to the support and cooperation of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). These El Sistema buildings will provide students, musicians and teachers worthy spaces to learn and enjoy the healthy coexistence music brings. Plácido Domingo / Tenor Currently, the Teaching Training Center is being built next to the CNASPM. FUNDAMUSICAL fundamusicalbolivar @elsistema

Editorial Concept and Production: Communications Direction / FundaMusical Bolívar Publication Department. Caracas. July 2014 Design and Layout: Kelianny Riera Photography: Nohely Oliveros, Sandra Bracho, Gerardo Gómez FundaMusical Bolívar Printing: Queiroz Publicidad, C.A.