15/02/2010

Thank you Venezuela for your inspiration, says former Coordinator of El Sistema Mexico at a London conference

Armando Torres-Chibras, former national coordinator of orchestras at El Sistema Mexico (2001 – 2004), expressed his gratitude to Venezuela for inspiring them to follow the footsteps of Maestro Jose Antonio Abreu in setting up a youth orchestra system in Mexico, similar to the one established in Venezuela.

“I have one thing to say to Venezuela: thank you for your inspiration”, said Torres-Chibas in a conference at City University London, which also screened the documentary “El Sistema” by Maria Stodmeier. 

The screening of the documentary and the meeting that followed thereafter was organized and chaired by Enrique Marquez, student of the Cultural Policy and Management program of City University London, who happens to be also a musician from El Sistema Mexico.  

Torres-Chibas explained the history of El Sistema in Mexico, which dates back to the 1980’s when Eduardo Mata, famous Mexican conductor and composer, visited Mestro Abreu in Venezuela and came back inspired to set up a Mexican system.

In 1984 the Mexican Government took over this musical project and set up the Sistema Nacional de Fomento Musical (National System for Musical Development), which today coordinates 120 youth orchestras across Mexico.

“There are 10 new musical nucleus, one of them is located in Reinosa, at the border with the United States, where approximately 275 children receive musical education”, added Torres-Chibas.

In addition, he pointed out that last November a new project inspired by El Sistema was launched in Mexico. It is called Esperanza Azteca, and its opening concert was attended by 22 state governors.

Other guest speakers at this event included: Gloria Carnevali, former cultural attaché at the Venezuela Embassy in London; Brendon Le Page, director of In Harmony Lambeth and Richard Hallam, national music participation director.

 

Press Unit of the Venezuelan Embassy in London

12 February 2010