20/06/2008
The English version of Venezuela's El Sistema project is one step closer, schools minister Andrew Adonis announced today.
The orchestral project will be named In Harmony and embraces the principles of El Sistema, which has demonstrated how the power of music, and playing music together, can transform the lives of vulnerable young people.
Under the scheme, children from the most deprived parts of the country will be taught musical instruments by charismatic, high quality music teachers and will be brought into full-scale orchestras from an early age, as young as four years old.
As in El Sistema, In Harmony will be as much about building life skills, aspirations and self-esteem as it is about nurturing musical talent.
Music Manifesto signatory Julian Lloyd Webber, a champion of the Venezuelan project, will be chairing In Harmony's steering group who are to meet for the first time next month.
Three or four areas will be chosen to run pilots of the scheme and an invitation to tender to run the project is expected to be announced over the summer.
Read Andrew Adonis' speech in full