Happy 41st Birthday, El Sistema!
To celebrate the 41st birthday of El Sistema in Venezuela, Fundamusical has compiled a film of clips from speeches and presentations by José Antonio Abreu, beginning with his talk in 1975 to the original “pioneers” of El Sistema: Ayer 12.02.16... Read More →
Sibelius would be proud…
In February, eight representatives of El Sistema Sweden visited El Sistema Kenya (ESK) in Nairobi to assist ESK’s new program (its second site) in the Juja slum. The representatives brought donated violins, flutes, trumpets and clarinets, led workshops and master... Read More →
FEATURE: Music Makes Things Better
When Father John Webootsa asked me in 2008 to start a music programme for 14 young choir students in his parish in the Nairobi ghetto of Korogocho, I asked myself, “How hard could it be?” Over the years, I have... Read More →
Lasting Impact for 60 More! El Sistema Kenya Continues to Grow
El Sistema Kenya now serves 60 children at its strings program in Kawangware Primary School, Nairobi. Founder Karis Crawford leads the weekly Suzuki instruction and provides training for her team of Kenyan assistant teachers, who also participate in other music... Read More →
Enlight, Expand, Enhance, Instil
Since its start in 2009, the Music Enlightenment Project has served more than 800 students from five schools in the inner city of Johannesburg, South Africa. Embracing a holistic approach by “developing life skills through music education,” the project is... Read More →
From Obama to New Tutors, the National Youth Orchestra of Kenya Thrives
The 180 players of the National Youth Orchestra of Kenya performed for U.S. President Barack Obama in July 2015, during his visit to Kenya. They recorded their first score for a short TV feature in the same month, and are... Read More →