On Friday's NewsHour (February 24, 2012), education correspondent John Merrow reported on how an adaptation of a music program from Venezuela is playing out in the United States. Venezuela's national youth music program "El Sistema" has produced professional musicians, such as Los Angeles Philharmonic conductor Gustavo Dudamel. The American version of El Sistema is Harmony Program. Its director Anne Fitzgibbon discusses the "transformative power of music" which transforms KIDS from poor neighborhoods and homelessness into high achieving orchestra players.
This is what they learn in this learning, welcoming, and supporting environment.
They learn:
to listen to one another
to share in a collaborative manner
to collaborate with many diverse players, instruments
to follow directions from music teachers and conductors
to read music scores
to learn about music pieces, composers, instruments
to be disciplined and practice daily for several hours
to be creative young musicians
to be dependable, reliable, and rely on others
to love what they do
to perform on stages at worldwide music halls
I could do forever and make 100 bullets but the point is clear. By the way, the kids are given free music instruments, scores, and other materials necessary to play in the youth orchestra. Isn't this similar to what we are trying to do in school libraries?
It is all about the kids and music making !
Great stories.
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