More than Music: Why Brass for Africa believes music teaches more than learning an instrument
“Problem!” says Brass for Africa teacher Micheal Nyombi to a crowd of eager girls in Kampala, Uganda at the Retrak Bulamu Centre (a subsection of Retrak, a registered charity that focuses on rehabilitating girls living on the street). “Solving!” the... Read More →
The Ambassadors’ Exchange, April 2019
Music Rises After Years of Oppression, by Timor Sultani (Sweden) After decades of darkness, light is coming to Kabul. Five years ago, Zohra Orchestra became Afghanistan’s first all-female orchestra, in a place where women’s rights were once destroyed by the Taliban. Zohra Orchestra,... Read More →
Ten Years of Music Enlightenment Project, 2009-2019
The Music Enlightenment Project (MEP) was initially inspired and conceived as a response to requests for private music lessons, and to the identified need to occupy children after regular school time within the inner city of Johannesburg, South Africa. A few colleagues... Read More →
The Ambassadors’ Exchange, March 2019
Music and Mission: Bridging the Years through Music by Axelle Miel (Philippines) On 9 February, the Orchestra of the Filipino Youth (OFY), led by their conductor Joshua Dos Santos, performed a pre-Valentine’s Day concert titled “Musika at Misyon” (Music and... Read More →
Updates from El Sistema Kenya
El Sistema Kenya (ESK) has programs in two underprivileged areas of Nairobi, Kawangware and Waithaka. ESK reports two recent changes they are working on. First, they get many requests from people wanting to visit and/or teach, but often, the visits provide no funding,... Read More →
Save the Date: Make Music Day will be 21 June
Every year, in increasing numbers, musicians around the world take to the streets on 21 June for Make Music Day. The celebration began 36 years ago in France and now includes over 800 cities. Amateur musicians, professionals, teachers giving free... Read More →
The Ambassadors’ Exchange, February 2019
Honk, Blow ‘n Screech at OrKidstra by Jennifer Ong (Canada) As OrKidstra is growing, we are starting off the new year by welcoming a fresh group of beginner students, ages 8-12. Last week, to help these students make an informed... Read More →
Ghetto Classics End-of-Year Concert + Video
Ghetto Classics in Kenya held a special concert on 18th November at St. John’s Community Centre in Korogocho. Students had the opportunity to showcase all of the work they had done this year. In lieu of ticket sales, attendees were... Read More →
FEATURE: Introducing The World Ensemble Ambassadors
Are young musicians in El Sistema programs aware of the global Sistema movement? Some have met through joint performances, but what about students in countries that are farther away? Do students in Brazil, for example, know of their music peers... Read More →
EDITORIAL: International Visitors and El Sistema Programs
Many El Sistema programs have the opportunity to host high-profile or international visitors, which can be a great opportunity. In Kenya, our experience with visitors has been mixed, with some very positive and some negative experiences, largely depending on the... Read More →