Sistema Music Education in MA

Massachusetts pilots program

The Massachusetts Cultural Council launched a program in December to assist underserved students throughout the state. “It blends a forward-thinking attitude toward music and arts education and a focus on multiculturalism and community empowerment that, taken together, can dramatically change students’ lives.”

The program is providing $55,000 for eight pilot grants and three planning grants. Some of you might be familiar with the music program established in El Sistema in Venezuela. It was created over thirty years ago. Under the direction of conductor Gustavo Dudamel who is the director of Venezuela’s Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Their model is being used for the pilot program in MA. El Sistema was established in 1975 by educator and activist Jose Antonio Abreu in order to serve youth from poor communities.

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