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Press Releases
Scotland and Venezuela make overtures with historic deal
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Joint press release from Scottish Arts Council and Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ
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A pioneering partnership between Scotland and Venezuela's world-renowned
El Sistema took an historic step forward today with the signing of a
unique agreement between the two countries.
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The Foundation of the State for the National System of the Orchestras
Youth and Children (FESNOJIV), and the Scottish Venezuela Project backed
by Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the Scottish Arts Council and
Stirling Council, signed the first formal agreement between Venezuela
and the UK to bring the unique El Sistema teaching method to Scotland.
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Now in its 30th year, El Sistema is a unique schooling method designed
to lift children out of poverty and deprivation by teaching them to play
classical music.
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El Sistema has made orchestral musicians out of half-a-million young Venezuelans, and has transformed the lives of many
underprivileged and at-risk youths in the process.
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The signing of this
covenant will bring the distinct methodology and philosophy of El
Sistema to Scotland.
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At the invitation of Maestro Abreu, founder of the El Sistema music
education programme, a Scottish delegation will also join in a
celebration of the homecoming of Venezuela's acclaimed Simon Bolivar
Youth Orchestra, returning from their North American tour.
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The programme of Venezuelan children's orchestras, launched in Scotland
in August, is being piloted in Stirling's Raploch community, in
preparation for a countrywide programme in collaboration with Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ
Scotland.
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FESNOJIV has agreed to coach tutors from Scotland in its
unique method of schooling children to work together as part of an
orchestra, and will advise on the recruitment of those musicians.
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Nicola Killean, Project Director for Scotland-Venezuela, confirmed that
this was the next phase in the programme's development in Scotland.
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She
added: "We've always recognised that El Sistema has a unique method
for schooling young people, which goes far beyond simply learning to
play an instrument, extending towards also teaching the children about
citizenship and co-operation.
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"We want the children and young people of
Scotland to benefit in exactly the same way as their counterparts in
Venezuela and we're very grateful to FESNOJIV for their generosity in
sharing their skills and expertise."
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Joining Nicola Killean on the visit to Caracas are Gavin Reid,
Director, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Brian Cope, Artistic
Director, Drake Music Project, and Joelle Fenna from Perth and Kinross
Council's Horsecross Hall.
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Members of a Scottish music advisory group
will work closely with the Venezuelan tutors and conductors, in
preparation for the first Scottish programme in Stirling next year.
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Gavin Reid, Director, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Scottish Symphony Orchestra, said: "It is
impossible to underestimate the importance of El Sistema and the
remarkable impact it is having on so many people's lives.
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"Having heard
so much about the work of FESNOJIV and seen for myself the extraordinary
Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra in Edinburgh last summer, I am thrilled
that we will be able to share in their inspiration, dedication and
experience as we develop our own programmes for the benefit of
communities in Scotland."
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In further exciting news, the visit coincides with a generous five-year
sponsorship commitment from the Scottish Venezuela Society (SVS),
supported by Scottish businesses active in Venezuela.
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The society has
confirmed that it will donate an estimated Β£230,000 to the long-term
operation costs of the programme in Scotland.
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Notes to Editors
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The Scotland-Venezuela project is grateful for the support of Scottish
Arts Council, Stirling Council, Scottish Venezuela Society and Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ
Scotland.
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SD3
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