El Sistema: Changing Lives Through Music

Summary

The article highlights a special music program in Venezuela which is so extraordinary that it has been hailed as the 'future of classical music itself'. It's extraordinary as the orchestra produces classical music with the help of kids from the slums of Venezuela, instead of having musicians that are graduates from some conservatory/music school. Futhermore, while most classical music orchestras like to play more "serious" music, this orchestra is about the exuberance of youth. The kids travel around the world to play to sell-out audiences, and is essentially a social system that fights the poverty faced by the kids in Venezuela. This is because playing and listening to classical music provides a spiritual richness for the them. The kids can start to learn from the young age of 2, and learn from the basics to playing an instrument and being in a part of the orchestra. This program helps the kids to both learn a new skill, as well as to shape them into better people and instill in them self-esteem and confidence. They also learn a culture which is very much different from their present surroundings.

Question: Will this work in Singapore? Or in the less-developed South-East Asian states, for that matter?

Yes, I think that this system (called the El Sistema) will work in Singapore. This is because music is something like an international language; everyone can listen to it and relate to it, no matter what country or background they are from. This is especially true for classical music, which does not contain any lyrics, but rather, evokes feelings in people through its melodies.

This program, where the children come together to form an orchestra to pratice and play together is a good way of promoting classical music and to instill some values into the kids. It provides the kids with a calmer and richer environment. This quieter and peaceful environment is not only needed in the poor and dangerous country of Venezuela, but in the busy and competitive environment of Singapore as well. Moreover, encouraging youths to take part in the program would be good as it would give them a nice change from all the popular music they listen to all the time. Kids in Singapore will also be able to learn how to persevere in an area they choose and commit to it as the system teachers kids to learn on a daily routine. It can also help to change their characters and turn wayward children into better people. One example can be seen from the case of Lennar Acosta who was serving time in Caracas and had a crimminal background. He tried playing the clarinet and learnt how to treat people without violence. Thus, if this system was introduced in Singapore, it could be held for youths in detention as well, so that they may learn something new, and come out of jail as a better person. As Dudamel said in the extract, Kids with "big problems" "change their life with music."

Also, as Elster said, "Kids are kids. It doesn't matter where they come from. And if you can help a poor kid in here, you can help a poor kid everywhere. It doesn't matter the culture, it doesn't matter the race. I mean, it's music. Everybody love music." Music is a language that everyone understands, so it can also be a method that would work very well in guiding kids and helping them make a difference in their lives, no matter where it is. (Venezuela, Singapore, Malaysia, or any country in the world.)


-pinghao