Gather Together

 
The Ensemble seeks to connect and inform all people who are committed to ensemble music education for youth empowerment and social change.
 
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Goalkeepers Event Showcases the Power of Music across Africa

07-09-2025

In early June, the Gates Foundation hosted its first Goalkeepers event in Lagos, Nigeria, bringing together global leaders, policymakers, and artists to address Africa’s progress in meeting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and showcase the power of music to unite people.

Arts in Action: Case Studies by Global Leaders Institute Fellows

Meagan Hughes, Journal Coordinator, University of Florida Center for Arts in Medicine; Music Therapist; Content Coordinator, The Ensemble

07-09-2025

A shining example of the program’s wide-reaching impact is Arts in Action, an online journal of in-depth case studies crafted by GLI Fellows as a result of their fieldwork collaborations with arts organizations around the world. With over 25 studies addressing both common and unexpected issues facing arts organizations, this collection is a treasure chest of actionable advice for arts practitioners to maximize their social impact. GLI Fellows take care to embed a relationship-oriented approach within their systematic analysis, ensuring that these studies speak with an authentic voice while holding timeless value for readers. Read on to experience the depth and breadth of Arts in Action’s library through three case study examples, which we believe will resonate with our equally diverse Ensemble readership.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Music Moves Us Forward

Rene Byamungu, Workshop Leader in Musicians Without Borders’ partner program Kivu Youth Music, as told to The Ensemble

07-09-2025

In the North Kivu Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the capital city of Goma sits between several mining towns and valuable minerals. Part of an active volcanic region rich in resources, the city serves as an essential transport hub for the nation—and, more importantly, as home to nearly 2 million people, many of whom have been displaced.

This past year, those 2 million have lived through extraordinarily difficult circumstances as the rebel group known as M23—the March 23 Movement—took control of the city. But perhaps none are more affected than the children. Over 2,000 schools in the region have been closed, with many thousands of students displaced and forced to witness the horrors of war, including the deaths of loved ones. As the fighting continues, these young people have been increasingly isolated and ignored, left without opportunities to connect with one another, explore their feelings, and celebrate joy.

And yet, as Workshop Leader Rene Byamungu writes, joy has persisted in North Kivu through music:

Patagonia’s Huilo Huilo Festival Blends Musical Excellence with Social Impact

Barbara Domingos, Artistic Producer, São Paulo State Symphony Orchestra (OSESP); Artistic Operations Manager, Huilo Huilo Music Festival; 2022 cohort member, Global Leaders Institute

07-09-2025

In the heart of Chilean Patagonia, the strings of a violin resonate deep within the temperate forest. Birds sing in harmony with the refined sounds of bows gliding over the strings; leaves whisper centuries-old stories. The Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve, where endangered species are protected, also embraces a group of young musicians—along with their mentors, who are string principals in the Brussels Philharmonic—during daily rehearsals and performances. It’s an inspiring fusion of human artistry and Patagonian majesty.

Child’s Play India’s Glass is Half-Full, Half-Empty

Dr. Luis Dias, Founder/Director, Child’s Play India Foundation in Goa, India

07-09-2025

Unlike more privileged settings, we could not make the switch to online teaching; we did try it, but most of our children did not have their own phones, and there were other issues, such as out of tune instruments, strings broken, and instruments outgrown. When the lockdown eventually lifted, many of our children had moved out of area or progressed to higher mainstream education which took them away from music lessons, either geographically or in terms of available time. We have had to start over, with new groups of children for violin and cello.

But there is also good news to balance things out.

EDITORIAL
Rehearsing Community for a Better Tomorrow

Gabrielle Molina, Executive Director, Project Music; Lead Program Consultant, El Sistema USA

07-09-2025

As Executive Director Liz Moulthrop remarked during El Sistema USA’s East Coast Regional Gathering, “Community is our power.” Yet too often programs operate in isolation, brilliant islands of musical striving that rarely connect with the broader archipelago of creative youth development work happening across the world. This siloing, while understandable given resource constraints and logistical challenges, represents a missed opportunity to address our urgent need for unity.

In fact, we must double down on gathering. The practice of community.

In Thailand, an International Partnership Opens New Pathways

Thomas Duncan, Chief Programs Officer, Playing For Change Foundation

07-09-2025

With their decades of positive impact and wealth of institutional knowledge, it would have been easy for DWS to focus on maintaining their success. Instead, we at the Playing For Change Foundation were recently privileged to partner with DWS to bolster and expand their music program. The initial goals of our partnership were simple: identify and hire professional music educators who can help take the existing program to the next level, and maintain the standard of excellence that DWS has achieved in its other extracurricular programming.

Reggae Roots at Sistema Toronto – Jane Finch

Kelsy Vivash, Marketing & Communications Manager, Sistema Toronto

06-04-2025

Working in this field has shown us how a diverse, inclusive curriculum can activate a student’s passion and sense of self. At Sistema Toronto, our goal is to have repertoires that represent our students and the communities they live in. With that in mind, Sistema Toronto invited Juno-nominated reggae artist Jah’Mila to work with students at our Jane Finch Centre this March as part of a months-long exploration of reggae music titled Reggae Roots. Our students spent January and February preparing for three days of workshops led by Jah’Mila and a culminating concert.

Suggested Reading: “Expanding the Path to Equitable Arts Funding”

06-04-2025

The Lewis Prize for Music Co-founder Dalouge Smith challenges funders to reconsider grantmaking priorities in a recent article for Grantmakers in the Arts.

Superar Suisse Featured at Inaugural Zurich Festival

06-04-2025

A brand-new music festival in Zurich will feature Superar Suisse as their opening act.

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