Lessons from El Sistema

The St. Lucia String Project is a unique organization because it relies so heavily on the support of private and government grants for sustenance. In the current economic climate, funding to the program has decreased, despite a boost in enrollment of over 100 student musicians since 2009.

Thankfully, the Organization of American States (OAS) was able to step in where the St. Lucian government could not. In partnership with El Sistema of Venezuela, Batuta of Colombia, and the Youth Orchestra of the Americas, the St. Lucia String Project has been given the resources to continue growth in the program. Since November 2009, 50 children in the notoriously dangerous neighborhood of Marchand have been studying string instruments four days a week, 3 hours a day as part of a social experiment. The famous Venezuela music education system, aptly named "El Sistema" provides an overwhelmingly successful and inspiring model.

Like the teachers in El Sistema, the teachers at the "Marchand Center" (nucleo) are former members of the St. Lucia String Project. Their passion to give children the opportunity to experience the depth and transformative power of music keeps them committed to the intensive teaching schedule.

In preparation for the launch of the project, a rigorous 10-day training workshop was given by Venezuelan, Colombian, and Brazilian orchestral experts between October 2nd-13th, 2009, and hosted by the St. Lucia School of Music and the Ministry of Social Transformation.

The workshop illuminated many of the mysteries of the Sistema success:

1. Daily practice is for an average of 4 hours. School in Venezuela is only a half day. The rest of the day is spent on music education at the "nucleo."

2. Team mentality. Almost all practice in beginning and intermediate stages is in a group.

3. Kids learn to teach kids from the very beginning. Teaching is the best demonstration of mastery, so it is an excellent assessment tool. This also provides practice in the art of effective teaching. Almost all the teachers in El Sistema, including the famous Gustavo Dudamel, are products of the system.

4. Children of all backgrounds, socioeconomic status, religious beliefs, physical and mental attributes, musical talent, and geographic location are served through El Sistema. The White Hands program even provides artistic expression to hearing-impaired children.

5. The goal is not for 20 kids to play perfectly. The goal is for 200 kids to be off the streets, making artistic contributions to the world around them. At the end of the day, the lesson taught is one of cooperation, commitment, compassion, and caring for your community.

These principles are the inspiration for the work being done in St. Lucia and other Sistema-inspired programs worldwide. Learn more about how you can help bring music education to unders-served communities near you by visiting El Sistema USA.


The String Project and Marchand Youth Orchestra Center is coordinated by Diane Cline, who is a full-time employee of the St. Lucia School of Music. Contact her at dianecline@gmail.com.

"The Drama and Romance of the Cinema"

The St. Lucia Youth Orchestra is preparing to give audiences a truly multimedia concert experience. In the style of Dave Hanson, the illustrious former orchestra director of Findlay High School, the orchestra will be presenting film scores complete with historical commentary and actual video footage.

The featured works are:

"Themes from Star Wars" by John Williams
"Theme from Batman" by Neil Hefti
"Theme from The Pink Panther" by Henry Mancini
"Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by Harold Arlen
"Themes from Jurassic Park" by John Williams
"Zooster's Breakout from Madagascar" by Hans Zimmer

The St. Lucia Junior Youth Orchestra and Marchand Youth Orchestra will also be presenting selections with audience appeal, including "I Like to Move It, Move It," "Knockin' Calypso," and "Marco Takes A Walk."

Join the St. Lucia String Project Facebook Group for an official invite to this concert event.