Of all the wonders mankind has created on this planet, art is probably the most magical of all. With its magic wand it can touch upon all the people of this world, regardless of color, religion or nationality, and may change their lives for ever. During our everyday frenzy, we all try to save some time to go through see a play or listen to our favorite music, exactly because we wish to feel this pleasant emotional excitement that the magic of art can stir inside each and every one of us.
However, are all the persons in socially vulnerable groups in need of art? And can it really help them? Maybe art is even more important to them than it is to the rest of us. It is their single way out of everyday hardships, while it may be used as a ticket to a smoother socialization and ultimately, a happier life.
These and more beneficial aspects of art, especially music, were pointed out by TED 2009’s award winner, Jose Antonio Abreu. This man, who was also known as “the conductor” until the end of his life, wished that all the children in his country, Venezuela, have the same opportunities and equal support in music as much as he did. He wished to make music part of his country’s reality and engagement to music more accessible to every child, regardless of social status.
This wish is what lead to founding “National Network of Youth and Children Orchestras of Venezuela” in 1975, which would come to be known as “El Sistema”. This program aspired to use music education as a uniting factor for all children of the nation, especially those who belonged to vulnerable social groups as well as a getaway that would lead them far away from the hardships and the struggle of every-day life. In his speech at the award ceremony, Abreu suggested that El Sistema helps because, by participating in orchestras and choirs, children are mentally and spiritually aided, as they acquire a sense of belonging, finalize the formation of character, earn respect from their families as well from society and, ultimately, claim a better financial and social position for themselves and their family and friends.
Since that very first rehearsal when Abreu raised his baton to conduct only 11 boys that were appearing, till today, his program has come a long way. He mentions during his speech that “art in Latin America is no longer a monopoly of elites and that it has become a social right, a right for all the people” and surely the foundation, action, and dissemination of El Sistema have played a major role to this achievement. Through this program, thousands of children have been rescued from poverty, social exclusion, crime, prostitution and drugs, while the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra which derived from the program, is one of the top orchestras of the world. Probably, the greatest achievement of the success of El Sistema is the famous conductor Gustavo Dudamel, who received his initial musical education through this program as a child and is now the conductor of the orchestra Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Just like that, that small orchestra has become today a great program that has spread to many countries of the world, helping out thousands of children worldwide through the empowering magic of music. What happens afterwards, though? A generation of children has been aided, but what about the next to come? Similar questions run through Abreu’s mind to finally “wish that you’ll help to create and document a special training program for 50 gifted young musicians, passionate about their art and social justice, and dedicated to bringing El Sistema to the United States and other countries”. Indeed, the end of his life doesn’t necessarily mean the end of his contributions, as 50 young musicians, who have been trained, have already contributed to the founding of orchestras in 16 states of the USA and have taught over 5000 students.
José Antonio Abreu has achieved, during the limited years of a human life, to create so great a feat that it surpasses the limits of place and of time as well. The magic wand of art transformed into a baton in his hands, a baton with which every movement of his hand colored the dreams of thousands of children, without whom they would never realize their great potential. Still today, El Sistema continues to unite and touch upon the souls of its audiences around the world and to fight for the world that its founder wished for.
Translation: Niki Saridaki
