Exploring El Sistema

Founded by Stephanie Hsu, Sistema Fellow '12, an El Sistema-inspired program with thirty-one students has successfully launched in Yakima, Washington. Read Stephanie's e-newsletter and follow YAMA on facebook. Sistema Fellows Program

Introducing the online home of Changing Lives, and home to Tricia Tunstall's new blog about the El Sistema movement. The website also includes information and resources. Tricia hopes the site will be helpful to movement enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Sistema Fellows Program

A few images of the recent convening of nucleos from across the Greater Boston Area. Photos by Carlos Roldan and Heath Marlow. Sistema Fellows Program

The April edition of Tricia Tunstall and Eric Booth's publication chronicling the emerging field of El Sistema-inspired activity in the US and beyond is found here. Sistema Fellows Program

There is nothing that we seek more than happiness. According to Aristotle, we find happiness in three different types: one that derives from material pleasure, another from glory, and the third one from virtue. For the Greek philosopher, the first level of happiness, derived from material, sexual, and gastronomic pleasures,... Sistema Fellows Program

Amidst the sea of new experiences, eager children, and overwhelming amount of music that floods my mind as I reflect on my recent Venezuelan residency, I keep returning to a common thread I found: the deep desire to share. Almost everywhere, students, teachers, administrators, and even Dr. Abreu himself were... Sistema Fellows Program

Yesterday we had the honour of meeting with Maestro Abreu. It was an unforgettable experience. He took the time to listen to each of our dreams and experiences in Venezuela, and also responded to each of us. I realized that, through the Foundation, three generations have been raised that love... Sistema Fellows Program

Oklahoma City University will present a symposium on El Sistema entitled, “Music Transforms,” on April 13. The symposium is open to the public and encourages the participation of educators, musicians, and community leaders. “Music Transforms” will explore El Sistema’s innovative approaches to music education, community engagement, and social transformation. Focusing... Sistema Fellows Program

After a wonderful two days working with the chamber choir in Carora, Thursday was a day we had all been waiting for: the White Hands Choir. However, instead of a muestra (showcase), we had the extra fortune of sitting in on a rehearsal which none of the teachers at the... Sistema Fellows Program

From everything that I had read and heard in recent years, I was well prepared for visiting El Sistema at the source. I was confident that I was not going to be surprised by the high level of playing demonstrated by the thousands of kids that grow up in Venezuela... Sistema Fellows Program

The nucleo usually ends rehearsal at 5:30 every day, but Carlos and I got the time wrong and ended up keeping our kids until 6:00. No one told us to stop rehearsing. The kids never asked for a break for the entire three hours we were working with them; neither... Sistema Fellows Program

Every day I’d arrive at the núcleo and the teachers would ask, “So what did you learn last night?” After showing them my work, I’d go back downstairs and begin again. The more comfortable I became with the Braille (and I still have a long ways to go) the more... Sistema Fellows Program

Because all music classes and rehearsals at the nucleos take place in the afternoon when schools let out, this past week I spent my mornings at the conservatory in Barquisimeto. I am not new to a conservatory setting, but here are some new things I did that, a few years... Sistema Fellows Program

Barquisimeto Conservatory Orchestra rehearsing Mahler 5 A colorful Santa Rosa afternoon, with children practicing in the plaza Sistema Fellows Program

Normally I try to hold back the tears in a work environment, but this week has brought out a different side of me. Every day, I’ve cried. Not a weepy cry but more glistening tears of pure joy and amazement. This week, I’m spending all of my time in Barquisimeto... Sistema Fellows Program

Photo by Rachel Hockenberry Sistema Fellows Program

Photo by Carlos Roldan Photo of Carlos Roldan Sistema Fellows Program

I was waiting for the van outside on the steps at the entrance to a nucleo reading my book when I saw across the way a father pointing note-by-note to his son's music as he played the recorder. The son approached me and attempted to say "How are you?" or... Sistema Fellows Program

As usual, it didn’t take long before I found myself talking to one of the cellists, and then sitting down to give her a lesson. Lorena had only been playing for four months and so started with a short, open string piece – número 1 in her packet of songs.... Sistema Fellows Program

We hope that you will join us later this month for a symposium that we have been preparing to host after we return from our current expedition to Venezuela. Please return to this page for updates, as details continue to be confirmed. -- MARCH 27-28, 2013 SYMPOSIUM: COLLABORATION & RELATIONSHIP... Sistema Fellows Program