28/01/2010

Famous British musician, Julian Lloyd Webber, shows confidence that Great Britain can follow the example set by El Sistema in Venezuela

The Worshipful Company of Musicians held an interesting meeting in London last night to explore ways in which Great Britain can duplicate the successes of the Venezuelan music education scheme El Sistema.

Julian Lloyd Webber, one of the world’s most renowned solo cellists, was invited to speak at this event titled: “El Sistema – will it translate into English?”

By invitation of Maestro Abreu, Webber recently visited Venezuela and witnessed firsthand the progress and achievements of El Sistema.

“I returned from Venezuela convinced that music helps social cohesion”, said Webber, who added: “In Venezuela you can find one orchestra after another within a couple of meters. This is impressive.”

Webber explained that Britain should explore with the teaching methods being applied by El Sistema.

“El Sistema allows the children to play, and this is fun. This approach is better than the previous confinement of classical teaching”, said Webber in relation to teaching techniques.

When asked if music can lead to reduction of crime, Webber said that it has in Venezuela, and it is already doing so in Britain, referring to the social achievements of the British scheme In-Harmony, a pilot program inspired by El Sistema which Webber chairs.

“Prevention is cheaper than cure,” Webber added.

Other speakers at this event included: Gloria Carnevali, former cultural attaché at the Venezuelan Embassy; Kathy Whitaker, manager of the Big Noise Project in Raploch, Scotland; Frank Furedi, professor of sociology and Richard Morris, former CEO of ABRSM.

Press Office of the Venezuelan Embassy in London.
Wednesday, 27 January 2010