Source: CCTV.com

06-27-2008 10:17

Music is transforming the lives of disadvantaged children in Venezuela. A revolutionary project set up over thirty years ago has furnished generations of underprivileged children new opportunities.

Music is transforming the lives of disadvantaged children in  Venezuela.(Photo: CCTV.com)

They are unlikely classical musicians. They have discovered a new world in music. And their lives have changed.

The pupils are participants in one of the most-talked-about teaching systems in classical music today. It's a nationwide network of orchestras, that has earned Venezuela global recognition for producing talented young musicians.

It's called "El Sistema", the National System of Youth and Children's Orchestras of Venezuela. It's becoming a model internationally for getting children excited about classical music.

"El Sistema" was conceived in 1975 by a visionary economist and musician, Jose Antonio Abreu. He was driven by a conviction that all children should have access to quality musical education. The project has been financed ever since by successive governments.

The programme's star graduate, is 27-year-old conductor Gustavo Dudamel. The talented conductor, leads the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra. He takes on a new post as music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic commencing September 2009.

Editor:Liu Fang