the nature of advocacy: not changing what people say, but what people do. The image of the bureaucrat gleefully snatching violins out of the hands of infants is a myth. Treating public officials, or those who just don't get it, with scorn and derision invites a similar degree of disrespect and disregard in return
The Venezuelans don't do "conferences," they do "seminarios", their word for "high intensity short-term music camps." Making music is a central part of the experience. It's not about the teachers, it's about the kids and the music.
March might have come in like a lamb, after the mildest winter Boston (my place of residence) has seen in decades, but it's going out like a lion thanks to the Leading Note Foundation Symposium on Social Change through Music in Ottawa this weekend. If you haven't registered, there's still time. Information is available … Continue reading Sistema weekend in Ottawa
The United Kingdom (encompassing the separate regions and governments of Scotland, England, Wales and N. Ireland) has a long history with Sistema in terms of both núcleo development and presenting Venezuelan ensembles...and the situation in England proper is about to change dramatically!
Canadian núcleos are some of the oldest in North America; Canadian universities have hosted the first academic conferences related to el Sistema; a national foundation presented the Símon Bolívar Orchestra in its largest venue to date and formally honoured Maestro Abreu's achievements in 2008; and a Canadian youth orchestra has set the current gold standard internationally in advocating for and securing major government funding.
the Orkidstra program will step into the limelight between March 30 and April 1st, as they co-host the Símon Bolívar String Quartet of Venezuela with the Ottawa Chamber Music Society for a symposium and performances.
Jonathan Andrew Govias 