This is one of Venezuela’s great families. Daniel is the son of Ruben and Maria Elisa Sanchez. I met the Sanchez family in February when they were visiting the US looking for a new tuba and visiting colleges for Daniel, a senior in high school. Daniel is a marvelous tuba student and plays with one of the top orchestras in El Sistema. Let’s look and see how a tuba player eats his Birthday cake. Also we will see Daniels great grandmother and grandmother.
Maria Elisa is the master cake cutter and is my shopping consultant and boy does she know how to shop.
Thank you to the Sanchez family for making my stay such a wonderful experience.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
My first Venezuelan percussion lesson.
Let me introduce to you Elvis. He is a biology teacher in a Caracas suburb and related to the Lorcas family. Elvis is introducing me to Venezuelan folk music. I bet Mr. Datsko didn't think I could do this.
Elvis is also showing me the largest slum in Latin America. Petare is a city made of a series of barrios which are unregulated buildings stacked on one another. You cannot see the immensity of it by this video but here you will see Petare during the day and at night, which is actually quit beautiful. There are are around 600,000 people living here.
It just so happens today Belamry and I will meet couple from the US who have been working with residence of Petare through the a Southern Baptist missions organization.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Professor Duvardo Echarry and student
On my first day after coming from the airport I met one of the kindest individuals and also one of the most beloved teachers at the Simon Bolivar Conservatory.
Professor Duvardo Echarry is the principle trombone teacher at the Simon Bolivar Conservatory. Here he is teaching one of the youngest players in the Sinfónica de la Juventud Venezolana Simón Bolívar. This students is an exceptional player. Doesn’t he remind you a little of Nash Tomey?
Professor Duvardo Echarry is the principle trombone teacher at the Simon Bolivar Conservatory. Here he is teaching one of the youngest players in the Sinfónica de la Juventud Venezolana Simón Bolívar. This students is an exceptional player. Doesn’t he remind you a little of Nash Tomey?
Sunday, March 28, 2010
VTE Venezuela Trombone Ensemble Concert
The two videos are post concert at the Centro de Accion Social por la Musica in it's smaller theatre for chamber music and solo concerts. It is a fabulous place to perform. The Venezuela Trombone Ensemble (VTE) under the direction of Miguel Sanchez is absolutely a delight. What an amazing sound! The honor to perform with them was truly a great musical experience. I will be promoting their tour in the US sometime next year. So get ready for a real treat.
This video is after my solo portion of the concert. Anyone notice my new jacket?
The second video is the VTE singing "If God were a trombonist"
This video is after my solo portion of the concert. Anyone notice my new jacket?
The second video is the VTE singing "If God were a trombonist"
Saturday, March 27, 2010
La Ronconoda
Never have I seen so many happy children. Most of the students on this video are from one of the oldest nucleus in el Sistema. La Ronconoda is in Coche, a suburb of Caracas. Remember this is only one of 260 Nuclei in the country. This one has about 2,000 students alone. They meet in a public school and since all students are given this experience with no cost to them almost the entire 500 students at the school are involved along with students in the surrounding neighborhoods. The Director is Eugene Correño and both of his sons are in the ensembles. This nucleus has two locations because it keeps growing. The new part is an old racetrack.
On this video:
The lower school, which has three levels of orchestra, with pre music classes and the “Paper Instrument Orchestra. The paper orchestra, which you will see demonstrated by my new adult friends, are holding instruments made of paper by the little children and their families. The little students are involved making the instruments before they receive their actual instruments. They learn much in the 2 months before they actually hold a real instrument. The orchestra director conceived this concept when there were no instruments and they had to keep the little ones motivated while waiting on real instruments to materialize. (How is that for flexibility?)
1st you will see the cutest kids in pre school music, singing and playing percussion instruments, next are examples of the “paper instruments”. Next I get the privilege of sitting in the pre school string orchestra. The next 2 orchestras you will hear are the primary orchestra and then last is the intermediate orchestra.
Enjoy!
On this video:
The lower school, which has three levels of orchestra, with pre music classes and the “Paper Instrument Orchestra. The paper orchestra, which you will see demonstrated by my new adult friends, are holding instruments made of paper by the little children and their families. The little students are involved making the instruments before they receive their actual instruments. They learn much in the 2 months before they actually hold a real instrument. The orchestra director conceived this concept when there were no instruments and they had to keep the little ones motivated while waiting on real instruments to materialize. (How is that for flexibility?)
1st you will see the cutest kids in pre school music, singing and playing percussion instruments, next are examples of the “paper instruments”. Next I get the privilege of sitting in the pre school string orchestra. The next 2 orchestras you will hear are the primary orchestra and then last is the intermediate orchestra.
Enjoy!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
The Venezuelan Trombone Ensemble is featured on the front page of the El Sistema website. What a sound they put out. This is me rehearsing for a concert on Saturday with the ensemble. I have been invited to be a part of the new trombone school being established by it’s director Miguel Sanchez. What an honor!
http://elsistemausa.org/
http://elsistemausa.org/
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
la niña at the door
This little girl was standing by the door for the entire rehearsal. She was doing things to well to be standing there as punishment, so when Belmary asked her what she was doing, she answered" I am here to answer the door if someone comes in." It was then that we realized this was a place of honor and the good students took their turn standing there.
Moods of Avila
The last video was Avila on fire. It is so dry and the region is so desperately in need of water that the foliage is like one big tinderbox. This is a shot of the way smoke from all the fires has completely engulfed the city. Yesterday the smoke was so dense we could only see for about a city block. I asked if this was common and Belmary said, " it is as common as 40 inches of snow in Philadelphia."
For some reason video does not show the flames visible to naked eye.
This next video is how I hope to see Avila again.
Pray for rain in Venezuela.
Hasta luego
Tom
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Avila ablaze!
Last night was a spectacular fire on the south face of Avila. It could be seen through out the entire city.
Here is the view that I awake to every morning.
Here is the view that I awake to every morning.
Trombones everywhere
I worked with this group of trombone players on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday last week. This is our group video.
I am aware the other nuclei do not have the resources of Centro de Accion Social por la Musica and Simon Bolivar Conservatory. I am hoping to do more teaching and relational building in the places where students and faculty do not see as many visitors coming to see El Sistema. Today I will be going back to La Rinconhda Nucleus to work with students. This is the Nucleus where Belmary was closely involved as a student and later as a teacher. It is also where Carmen, Belary's Mom, was the coordinator for so many years and loved by all.
Chevere!
I am aware the other nuclei do not have the resources of Centro de Accion Social por la Musica and Simon Bolivar Conservatory. I am hoping to do more teaching and relational building in the places where students and faculty do not see as many visitors coming to see El Sistema. Today I will be going back to La Rinconhda Nucleus to work with students. This is the Nucleus where Belmary was closely involved as a student and later as a teacher. It is also where Carmen, Belary's Mom, was the coordinator for so many years and loved by all.
Chevere!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Yankee fans are everywhere.
Hola,
Where has the time gone? Every activity is scheduled around food. My documentary will be entitled TOCAR Y COMER.
There are no siestas in Caracas. Days are action packed with teaching and travel. Traffic is legendary. To fill your SUV about $.75. That's right seventy-five cents! No one watches where he or she is going because they are working in the mobile office. Belmary and I are the only people in Caracas without Blackberries. I have seen only one accident, it's amazing. Anybody know what PARE means?
Hope you enjoy the video.
Chevere!
Tom
Where has the time gone? Every activity is scheduled around food. My documentary will be entitled TOCAR Y COMER.
There are no siestas in Caracas. Days are action packed with teaching and travel. Traffic is legendary. To fill your SUV about $.75. That's right seventy-five cents! No one watches where he or she is going because they are working in the mobile office. Belmary and I are the only people in Caracas without Blackberries. I have seen only one accident, it's amazing. Anybody know what PARE means?
Hope you enjoy the video.
Chevere!
Tom
Saturday, March 20, 2010
My younest student
The word is cute.
This little boy is a student of the young man Maestro Abreu points out on the video in my last posting. When I met him he asked to learn more of March Slave. I said NO we start with Creston next week.
Chevere!
This little boy is a student of the young man Maestro Abreu points out on the video in my last posting. When I met him he asked to learn more of March Slave. I said NO we start with Creston next week.
Chevere!
Maestro Abreu visits my class
Someone asked me if I would meet the founder of El Sistema. No, I am sure he will be too busy to meet me. Well, apparently not. The video is while I was teaching a trombone class with members of the Simon Bolivar Orchestra and with elementary up to university students. If you notice, he recognizes los niños first and the other young man recognized is one of his conducting students. Oh, by the way, the lady is Venezuela’s Vice Presidents wife. Chevere!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
My first video and it was so easy.
My friend Ruben is the principal trombonist of the only professional band in Caracas and you will see how the audience enjoys a Sunday afternoon.
This was last Sunday afternoon following a concert of the Orchesta Municipal De Caracas. The performance was Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto and Shostakovich 10. The soloist was Sholomo Mintz and was a great treat. On Saturday I heard the Simon Bolivar Orchestra performing Shostakovich 5. Today I taught at the Conservatoia Simon Bolívar and tomorrow I begin teaching a series of master classes at the Centro de Acción Social por la Música, which is the new performance facility that houses the Simon Bolivar Orchestra. I should have plenty of pictures next posting.
Hasta luego
What is Fundación del Estado para el Sistema Nacional de Orquestas Juveniles e Infantiles de Venezuela?
I am at home here in Venezuela. I am sure to be seen as this nosy guy from the United States only desiring to bring back what has been learned through the work of Jose Abreu and the Fundación del Estado para el Sistema Nacional de Orquestas Juveniles e Infantiles de Venezuela (El Sistema). So, what have I learned so far?
In the 60 Minute documentary we met Rafael Elster, director of the Sarria Nuclei. If you remember, Sarria is one of the poorest barrios (slums) in Caracas. Rafael has such passion for the mission of El Sistema as we saw in his conversation with Moray Saver. Rafael is the same in person as on camera. When we met, I told him I was from Philadelphia and he immediately referred to a group who came from a large US city school district to find out how to create the same El Sistema in their city.
“We have 200,000 students”! said the officials from the US “Do you?” said Rafael. He went on to explain, “You don’t just have a bunch of students to make a program like El Sistema.” All of the men I spoke to in the El Sistema offices were very clear on that point. It is all about personal relationships. Teacher and student alike reciprocate these relationships. Angel Larcas, Deputy Management Director of Nuclei said that both feed on each other. The teacher gets much from the process just as the student. There is no expectation to be great musicians but the idea is to help children grow up as good citizens. The great musician is but a by-product.
El Sistema means system but it is unlike any system we know in the US. El Sistema breathes, sings, dances, ebbs and flows. It is one big relationship intertwining with all who are part of the system. Since my sabbatical entails my study of El Sistema I thought if I didn’t come to Venezuela for a number of reasons, I could go to other US cities attempting El Sistema and catch on there. Boy, was I wrong!
El Sistema is all the beautiful things of Venezuela, the PEOPLE! I have yet to meet any Venezuelan I didn’t love.
If you know the right people and I do, you can go to were ever you wish. Today I met Maestro Jose Abreu, the founder of El Sistema. Belmary took me to his office and he has invited me to return when he has more time. Even with a bad cold, I thought I was meeting someone like Mother Teresa. What I mean by that is that he was remarkably humble and most gracious. His smile was disarming and why he has not won the Nobel Peace Prize, I will never understand.
Later we ran into the Director of the Simon Bolivar Conservatory. He decided on the spot that I was to give a recital and made provisions with one of the top pianist in Caracas, Surge Pilenkofv.
When I figure out how to put pictures in this Blog, I will start posting them.
Ciao
In the 60 Minute documentary we met Rafael Elster, director of the Sarria Nuclei. If you remember, Sarria is one of the poorest barrios (slums) in Caracas. Rafael has such passion for the mission of El Sistema as we saw in his conversation with Moray Saver. Rafael is the same in person as on camera. When we met, I told him I was from Philadelphia and he immediately referred to a group who came from a large US city school district to find out how to create the same El Sistema in their city.
“We have 200,000 students”! said the officials from the US “Do you?” said Rafael. He went on to explain, “You don’t just have a bunch of students to make a program like El Sistema.” All of the men I spoke to in the El Sistema offices were very clear on that point. It is all about personal relationships. Teacher and student alike reciprocate these relationships. Angel Larcas, Deputy Management Director of Nuclei said that both feed on each other. The teacher gets much from the process just as the student. There is no expectation to be great musicians but the idea is to help children grow up as good citizens. The great musician is but a by-product.
El Sistema means system but it is unlike any system we know in the US. El Sistema breathes, sings, dances, ebbs and flows. It is one big relationship intertwining with all who are part of the system. Since my sabbatical entails my study of El Sistema I thought if I didn’t come to Venezuela for a number of reasons, I could go to other US cities attempting El Sistema and catch on there. Boy, was I wrong!
El Sistema is all the beautiful things of Venezuela, the PEOPLE! I have yet to meet any Venezuelan I didn’t love.
If you know the right people and I do, you can go to were ever you wish. Today I met Maestro Jose Abreu, the founder of El Sistema. Belmary took me to his office and he has invited me to return when he has more time. Even with a bad cold, I thought I was meeting someone like Mother Teresa. What I mean by that is that he was remarkably humble and most gracious. His smile was disarming and why he has not won the Nobel Peace Prize, I will never understand.
Later we ran into the Director of the Simon Bolivar Conservatory. He decided on the spot that I was to give a recital and made provisions with one of the top pianist in Caracas, Surge Pilenkofv.
When I figure out how to put pictures in this Blog, I will start posting them.
Ciao
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Caracas at last!
The flight went well and the sun rise was magnificent. I got through customs without a hitch, Belmary and Ruben met me just as planned.
Ruben is a former trombonist in the Simon Bolivar Orchestra presently teaching in El Sistema as well as Belmary is a former violinist in Simon Bolivar Orchestra. Belmary lives in the USA, freelances in Philadelphia and teaches Suzuki violin at the Community Music School of Collegeville. Both are assigned to keep me out of trouble. So far so good!
I am living in San Paulo a suburb of Caracas and the view out my window is magnificent. I have a panoramic view of much of Caracas with El Avila looming in the back ground. !Es hermoso!
I will be teaching at El Conservatoia Simon Bolívar tomorrow with a class of trombonist. When I learn to post my videos I hope to show you some action shots.
Hasta luego
Ruben is a former trombonist in the Simon Bolivar Orchestra presently teaching in El Sistema as well as Belmary is a former violinist in Simon Bolivar Orchestra. Belmary lives in the USA, freelances in Philadelphia and teaches Suzuki violin at the Community Music School of Collegeville. Both are assigned to keep me out of trouble. So far so good!
I am living in San Paulo a suburb of Caracas and the view out my window is magnificent. I have a panoramic view of much of Caracas with El Avila looming in the back ground. !Es hermoso!
I will be teaching at El Conservatoia Simon Bolívar tomorrow with a class of trombonist. When I learn to post my videos I hope to show you some action shots.
Hasta luego
Friday, March 5, 2010
A little back ground on El Sistema
El Sistema, Venezuela
Led by organist, economist, and politician José Antonio Abreu, FESNOJIV (the State Foundation for the National System of Youth and Children’s Orchestras), more commonly known as “El Sistema,” teaches music to 300,000 of Venezuela’s poorest children. It is a tested model of how a music program can create both great musicians and dramatically change the life trajectory of hundreds of thousands of a nation’s neediest kids. Amongst its graduates, El Sistema has nurtured international musicians such as Edicson Ruiz and Gustavo Dudamel and the world-renowned Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra.
Yesterday while in North Philadelphia at a men's homeless shelter I was very much aware that this is the type of area where so many children are living with very little hope of the future. Just like in Venezuela it is the El Sistema concept that might possibly change these children to have hope. This in turn would give them the motivation to have a more productive life and break the cycle of desperation. I shared with about 50 men who were jobless, homeless and hungry that I was going to Venezuela to be part of El Sistema. There response was overwhelming. "Brother, I'm going to pray for you" several men told me. It was if they woke from a deep depression and had a since of hope that I was concerned for their children. The experience of meeting with these men for the past month every Thursday with my friends Phil and Jennifer Beaufort, David Allen and Cheryl Sanfacon has really changed me. It makes one realize that when you desire to help others in need, you become the recipient of a far greater blessing.
Hasta luego
Led by organist, economist, and politician José Antonio Abreu, FESNOJIV (the State Foundation for the National System of Youth and Children’s Orchestras), more commonly known as “El Sistema,” teaches music to 300,000 of Venezuela’s poorest children. It is a tested model of how a music program can create both great musicians and dramatically change the life trajectory of hundreds of thousands of a nation’s neediest kids. Amongst its graduates, El Sistema has nurtured international musicians such as Edicson Ruiz and Gustavo Dudamel and the world-renowned Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra.
Yesterday while in North Philadelphia at a men's homeless shelter I was very much aware that this is the type of area where so many children are living with very little hope of the future. Just like in Venezuela it is the El Sistema concept that might possibly change these children to have hope. This in turn would give them the motivation to have a more productive life and break the cycle of desperation. I shared with about 50 men who were jobless, homeless and hungry that I was going to Venezuela to be part of El Sistema. There response was overwhelming. "Brother, I'm going to pray for you" several men told me. It was if they woke from a deep depression and had a since of hope that I was concerned for their children. The experience of meeting with these men for the past month every Thursday with my friends Phil and Jennifer Beaufort, David Allen and Cheryl Sanfacon has really changed me. It makes one realize that when you desire to help others in need, you become the recipient of a far greater blessing.
Hasta luego
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Got my ticket!
Now it seems real. Many wonderful Venezuelan friends have been extremely helpful and supportive of this endeavour. Thanks to Belmary, Ruben, Angel, Rosanna and my list will certainly multiply through out this journey. A special thanks to David Kim for recommending Belmary who has been most helpful. I also would like to thank my Spanish teacher Sara Nemoy.
My itinerary is to fly to Houston and connecting there to continue on to Caracas. The time difference is a half hour. This was instigated a few years back by the President of Venezuela and I don't know the reason.
Being this is my very first blog I learned the concept from the movie Julie and Julia a few months back.
In the future I will have more interesting topics but finally getting my airplane ticket has been an interesting topic for me.
Hasta luego
My itinerary is to fly to Houston and connecting there to continue on to Caracas. The time difference is a half hour. This was instigated a few years back by the President of Venezuela and I don't know the reason.
Being this is my very first blog I learned the concept from the movie Julie and Julia a few months back.
In the future I will have more interesting topics but finally getting my airplane ticket has been an interesting topic for me.
Hasta luego
Sunday, February 28, 2010
It looks that March 6 is the date to fly to Caracas. I have had two wonderful parties given for me that have given me much joy and a real blessing. Thank you to my students at LMHS for the wonderful surprise on Friday, February 5th. I was moved by your kindness and it was such a pleasure to be with you not in an official capacity, just to hang. I would try to respond to all of your kind words on the card but just know I have read them many times and find myself realizing I have the best job and students in the world. With Aaron Datsko and Jessica Bowman holding down instrumental music groups I have no worries you are in excellent hands.
For my second party just last night, what a great time of fellowship, food, singinging and prayer. Thank you Frank and Janice for that beautiful send off. The food was great and the company was rich. Popeng and I could not have had a better time with so many of our most dear friends.
Rachel said after the party, "Dad, you have to go to Venezuela now, there's no turning back!" Okay then, it Venezuela or bust!
Haste luego!
For my second party just last night, what a great time of fellowship, food, singinging and prayer. Thank you Frank and Janice for that beautiful send off. The food was great and the company was rich. Popeng and I could not have had a better time with so many of our most dear friends.
Rachel said after the party, "Dad, you have to go to Venezuela now, there's no turning back!" Okay then, it Venezuela or bust!
Haste luego!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Thank you for your support
Most all of you are aware that I have developed a profound attraction and respect to the remarkable phenomena called El Sistema. If you have not seen a short CBS 6O Minute piece on El Sistema, I recommend you watch it. It will explain this appreciation I have for this phenomena.
http://www.tv.com/video/mYH6CO_WT7L1GWQnmeNWKu8VhIMNcZtE/101/22529/el-sistema?o=cbs
Last spring my former student and author of the Maestro the Lion children's book series, Liz Sher sent me a documentary called Tocar y Luchar about El Sistema. I was so taken by it that I new I had to see it first hand. I also knew that my Lower Merion High School students realized I was hooked. I showed every student in all orchestra and band classes (even study halls) this documentary, often more than once. If you know me I probably have tried to encourage you to see this wonderful work.
Tocar y Luchar has brought me to this point. I am presently on sabbatical from my teaching position at Lower Merion High School and preparing for a journey of a life time to Venezuela. There are so many I need to thank for support and encouragement afforded to me. First is my wife who has loved me and is the wind beneath my wings. Thank you to my Tenth Presbyterian Church family, Lower Merion School District, Maestro's Friends Board, and my wonderful students.
I will keep you posted on my preparations and very soon my travels and experiences.
HASTA LUEGO!
http://www.tv.com/video/mYH6CO_WT7L1GWQnmeNWKu8VhIMNcZtE/101/22529/el-sistema?o=cbs
Last spring my former student and author of the Maestro the Lion children's book series, Liz Sher sent me a documentary called Tocar y Luchar about El Sistema. I was so taken by it that I new I had to see it first hand. I also knew that my Lower Merion High School students realized I was hooked. I showed every student in all orchestra and band classes (even study halls) this documentary, often more than once. If you know me I probably have tried to encourage you to see this wonderful work.
Tocar y Luchar has brought me to this point. I am presently on sabbatical from my teaching position at Lower Merion High School and preparing for a journey of a life time to Venezuela. There are so many I need to thank for support and encouragement afforded to me. First is my wife who has loved me and is the wind beneath my wings. Thank you to my Tenth Presbyterian Church family, Lower Merion School District, Maestro's Friends Board, and my wonderful students.
I will keep you posted on my preparations and very soon my travels and experiences.
HASTA LUEGO!
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