Carlos Izcaray, a young Venezuelan conductor who studied under Venezuela's world-renowned 'El Sistema' childrens music programme, has made his UK debut with the London Schools Symphony Orchestra on the 4 January of this year.  Izcaray and the orchestra were joined by British violinist Matthew Trusler performing Korngold's violin concierto, Gershwin's American in Paris and Ginastera's Estancia ballet suite and Castellanos' Santa Cruzada Pacar.
  
The young Venezuelan conductor enrolled in 'El Sistema' at the age of three and began studying conducting as a teenager.  He has led numerous ensembles in the United States, Switzerland, Italy, Portugal, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, as well as continuing as an enthusiastic collaborator with 'El Sistema' in Venezuela.  Izcaray has worked with some of the country’s top youth ensembles and has helped with the creation of orchestras in low income communities.

Venezuela's state-funded youth classical music programme, 'El Sistema' has transformed the lives of millions of children in Venezuela.  The programme has also been rolled out to 25 countries worldwide including the UK. 

Press Unit of the Venezuelan Embassy in London
11 January 2012