El Sistema

I don't know if you're heard about this system of orchestral and choir training, but in Venezuela, since 1975, there has been a vigorous training program for the young children of that country - mainly children from the poor and middle class - who are trained in a classical music tradition. The results have been phenomenal - Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra's newest director is a young man in this 20's who came from this program - called "El Sistema".

Here is video of Gustavo Dudamel conducting the Youth Orchestra of Venezuela - watch how much the kids move!!!

http://www.ted.com/talks/jose_abreu_on_kids_transformed_by_music.html

And, for anyone interested, here's the acceptance speech that the head director of El Sistema - Jose Abreu - gave upon receiving the TED prize last February:

http://www.ted.com/talks/jose_abreu_on_kids_transformed_by_music.html

I find this incredibly inspirational - hope you do too!