It's hard to think of a dimension of el Sistema that demonstrates the program's ongoing commitment to inclusiveness, accessibility and social change better than its work in Special Needs. As far as initiatives go, there are some notable successes, such as the White Hands Choirs , and some fascinating but incomplete ideas or works in … Continue reading Keeping the objectives in sight
The town of Bergen Op Zoom in the Netherlands is largely unremarkable. It's the kind of place that is only spoken of in terms of what it's close to - in this case, Antwerp, a city not even in the same country. East of this unremarkable town is a small wood, unremarkable to the … Continue reading I remember
"Inverting the paradigm," Installment No. 3 of the ongoing series in La Scena Musicale, is now out in print and online in both English and French. The full magazine is available at La Scena’s official site in both PDF and Flash, and the excerpted article is available here through my site. Please feel free … Continue reading La Scena Musicale series – Part 3
Ahh, that uncompromising aspect of depression, boredom, and unyielding, absolute intellectual and creative suppression. It must be a schoolroom. That's a pretty grim assessment, I'll admit, but even with the clarity of hindsight I'm inclined to remember my schooling and my secondary socialization in that manner. "Secondary socialization" is almost laughable in my case, since … Continue reading The Daughters (and Sons) of Regimentation
The suitcase is unpacked, the business cards filed, the hundreds of emails responded to... I'm back. It was a fantastic trip, not just for the wonderful performances of the Orquesta Teresa Carreño, but for the opportunity to meet and share the stage at Royal Festival Hall with five extraordinary individuals. From left to right, in … Continue reading “Putting the Fun in Fundamentals” or “Schroedinger’s Clowder” – Report from London
I can't express how sorry I am that my time in London has drawn to a close. The brief residency of the Orquesta Teresa Carreño in the the capital was a smashing success, and it also served to focus more attention on the movement in the United Kingdom. I'll present a report at … Continue reading London Gallery
I heard the fastest Prokofiev Symphony No. 5 in my life tonight. By my count, the first movement was essentially double tempo throughout, the second a good 20% faster than marked, and the fourth bordering on the absurd, at the end. "It's the Venezuelan way, fast and loud" I was recently told by a … Continue reading Teresa Carreno Orchestra in London
I'm happy to report that Part 2 of the ongoing series in La Scena Musicale is now available in both English and French. The full magazine is available at La Scena's official site in both PDF and Flash, and the excerpted article is available here through my site. Please feel free to comment on … Continue reading La Scena Musicale series – Part 2
I was going through some photographs I took in Venezuela when I came across the above, taken just outside the Tabay núcleo in Mérida state . Before any incorrect assumptions are made, I'll hasten to add that Fesnojiv hasn't expanded to include dance - at least, not formally, but the picture of students on the … Continue reading Dancing around the issues
The City of London might lay claim to being a place of special significance for the el Sistema international movement. After the Proms performance in 2007, the SBYO returned for an acclaimed residency at Southbank Centre in 2009, which was followed by a Fesnojiv string quartet residency earlier this fall. Southbank Centre again will … Continue reading London El Sistema Event!
Jonathan Andrew Govias 