Venezuela

Independent projects in Venezuela that work with youth orchestras: 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4457278.stm

Abreu (Venezuela), a trained conductor who worked initially as a state planning director with his country’s Ministry of Economy, began his crusade 30 years ago with “11 youngsters and 25 music stands”. Today his programme supports 250,000 children, 15,000 music teachers and around 150 youth orchestras.

It is integral to the government’s educational, social and health policies and receives the equivalent of £16 million a year in public funding. Berlin Phil maestro Sir Simon Rattle, who recently saw the results for himself, declared: “If anyone asks me where is something really important going on for the future of classical music, I say here.”

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Interview with Gustavo Dudamel, Proms 2007

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Watch the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra in action!

and at the BBC Proms 2007

Playing the Shostakovich Symphony 10 II. Allegro