El Sistema, begun in 1995 by Jose Antonio Abreu, is fostering a youth music revolution. Abreu's vision was to introduce music education among Venezuelan children as a way of buoying hope and lifting them out of poverty. The TedTalk featuring Abreau, describing his purpose and its unfolding impact, is startling in its simplicity as well as the difference being made in Venezuela, the U.S.A., and elsewhere.
The devastating exodus of tens of thousands of Venezuelans to the U.S.A. has created political polarization about "the border" that was substantially responsible for Donald Trump's election as President in 2016 and threatens to bring his return in 2024. That exodus is seen very graphically in Chicago and includes heart-rending stories of survival both on the path and after arrival. As the documentary "Desde cero: The migrant journey in Chicago" demonstrates, Venezuelans are seeking a better life and are risking everything for the opportunity to be free and productive.
We had the opportunity to see Gustavo Dudamel, a product of El Sistema and prominent world conductor, direct the National Children's Symphony of Venezuela at Ravinia this last week. The performance of 170 children ages 10-17 of classical Latin American music as well as Shostakovich's Symphony #5 was stunning. It was almost inconceivable that they were able to perform at such a highly proficient and artistic level. The following day we witnessed the open rehearsal of Dudamel with the Children's Symphony of Venezuela coupled with El Sistema youth from Chicago. The rehearsal was of Sibelius' "Finlandia," a piece that was composed to celebrate Finish pride in the face of the Soviet threat of the early 20th century. At one point in the rehearsal, Dudamel explained the sequential emergence of the main theme first in the woodwinds and then in the strings as the proud voices of two countries. The theme is both proud and yearning for fuller expression - much like the aspiration of Venezuelan citizens who now find themselves in the U.S.A. but mourning the loss of culture and family.
In closing the rehearsal, Maestro Dudamel offered high praise by saying "you are not the future... you are the present" to the young musicians who had been enthralled in the exploration of music for one and a half hours. This was hard work requiring focus, patience, and perseverance. These youth were healed from whatever gaps that might have emerged out of a lack of resources, and they were bound in common purpose - recognizing each other's worth and making incredible music together!
