News and Resources

 
The Ensemble seeks to connect and inform all people who are committed to ensemble music education for youth empowerment and social change.

The 2020 El Sistema USA Symposium & Seminario

03-03-2020

Long before I joined The Ensemble newsletters editorial team a few months ago, I knew about El Sistema. I had read about it, listened to interviews, spoken with people inside the movement. But I hadn’t lived it—had barely seen it up close. I grew up playing jazz and orchestral pieces, but my professional background is as an editor, not a music educator. So I arrived in Durham for the 2020 El Sistema USA Symposium and Seminario expecting to listen to a language I barely understood.

Funds to Expand Social Service Innovations in Europe

02-19-2020

The European Social Catalyst Fund (ESCF) has opened a call for proposals to receive funding and capacity-building support in order to scale proven social service innovations. As the ESCF addresses some of Europe’s most pressing social challenges, we wonder if El Sistema programs might be an interesting fit for this funding. Supported initiatives must address social challenges within at least one of the following focus areas, including some that El Sistema programs directly address: poverty and marginalization, migration, gender equality, inequalities, education and training, community development, and the role and place of young people in society. At least six applications will be selected to receive a planning grant of up to €100,000 along with capacity-building support. Eligible applicants include public agencies, private nonprofit agencies, and collaborations involving public and private agencies in EU Member States. Applications close on April 15, 2020. Visit the Fund’s website to review the Call for Applications 2020.

Funding for Artist Travel to and from Africa

02-19-2020

For our colleagues in Africa, The Online Cultural Mobility Funding Guide for AFRICA (Third Edition) is now available free online. It provides artists and cultural workers with a directory of funders and funding opportunities for international travel to and from African countries. As the deadline to propose presentations for the Fifth International Teaching Artist Conference approaches, this resource could not come at a better time; perhaps these funding sources could pay for the trip to Seoul, South Korea to meet with teaching artists from around the world and see Korea’s big Sistema program, the Orchestra of Dreams.

Sistema Europe Youth Orchestra to Host Sixth Residency in Madrid, July 4-12

02-19-2020

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed placerat condimentum blandit. Pellentesque eu metus varius, mattis dolor id, mattis neque. Aenean tempor erat eu consequat sagittis. Phasellus eu arcu gravida, ultricies purus ut, consequat enim. Sed suscipit eros consequat felis vehicula finibus. Cras ac lorem sagittis magna laoreet feugiat quis et sem. Aenean aliquet sem nec convallis placerat. Sed ut ultricies dolor. Duis quis odio rutrum, rhoncus enim id, iaculis nisl. Morbi in varius nibh. Donec ut enim massa. Etiam pulvinar felis ullamcorper felis mollis accumsan.

NAfME Student Composer’s Competition Opens

02-04-2020

Do you have a budding composer in your program (or an alumna/us)? Let them know about the NAfME Student Composer’s Competition. If your students aren’t ready this year, they can listen to recent winning compositions on the website, in the symphonic or reed quartet categories. All submissions get a written evaluation of the work, and 10 winners get cash prizes and performances. Applications are due by March 27. Entry instructions are here.

The Lewis Prize for Music 2020 Announces Awardees

02-04-2020

The Lewis Prize for Music 2020 Awardees have been announced. The Lewis Prize believes that music in the lives of young people is a catalytic force to drive positive change in society. Each of the awardees is doing exemplary work to build community, foster engaged citizens and support the holistic growth of young people through music. Learn more about the ten inspiring changemakers here. A special congratulations to Lewis Prize 2020 Awardee Sebastian Ruth, Founder and Artistic Director of Community MusicWorks. Sebastian recently penned The Ensemble’s editorial in November, which you can read here. His Lewis Prize will support a new alumni fellowship and leadership of the MusicWorks Network of community-based music programs, which collaborate across the eastern United States to spread and deepen the work with and for the youth they serve.

Sphinx Performance Academy Collaborates to Offer Full Summer Scholarship Programs

02-04-2020

The Sphinx Organization has announced programming for the Sphinx Performance Academy (SPA) 2020. SPA will collaborate with Curtis Institute of Music, the Cleveland Institute of Music, and The Juilliard School to offer full-scholarship intensive summer chamber music and solo performance programs for violin, viola, cello and bass players, ages 11-17. The SPA curriculum includes lessons, coachings, master classes, recitals, career enrichment sessions and mentorship, tailored for each student. Applications are due by noon EST, Tuesday February 11, 2020. Learn more about dates and details here.

YOLA National Festival Application Deadline Extended

02-04-2020

The application deadline for the YOLA National Festival has been extended until February 17. To apply to the Symphony Orchestra or the Chamber Orchestra, or for more information, click here. The two-week intensive of learning, rehearsal and performance with world-renowned conductors and artist mentors is free. Travel, lodging, meals and programming are provided to students at no cost. Send questions to: YOLA@laphil.org.

Habits of Highly Effective Teachers

02-04-2020

What are the most important habits of an effective teacher? Do you use all these habits in your daily teaching? Note that being good at explaining things is not that important to writer Carrie Lam. Her article is available here.

Toolkit to Support Socio-emotional Learning

02-04-2020

Socio-emotional learning (SEL) is increasingly seen as an essential component of success for students in El Sistema-inspired programs. SEL skills like self-awareness, self-management, interpersonal relating skills, and responsible decision-making are naturally developed in strong programs, becoming key to students’ success in fulfilling their life ambitions in or outside of music. Teachers know that to help young people develop these skills, they need intentionality and strong support from families. The Social Emotional Learning Toolkit: Family Engagement is a new guide from Move This World, and may be particularly helpful to you. The 50-page report is practical-minded, aiming to provide everything you need to bring families into active support in strengthening SEL in students.

Share

© Copyright 2022 Ensemble News