the world ensemble

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

“Música para Respirar 24/7”: Bolivian Musicians Mobilize during Pandemic Crisis

02-03-2021

As I finish the now-common hour-long Zoom conference and sit still on my piano bench, I know that the image of my last audience will hover atop my most precious musical memories for a long time. They are a family based in Catalunya who recently lost one of their children to COVID-19. Now, quarantined at home due to strict local measures to fight the pandemic, they became my listeners as I played for them some of their deceased child’s favorite music—an online concert of remembrance.

2021: A New Chapter in Our Work Begins

02-03-2021

Does the phrase “international economic development” put you in mind of high-powered farm equipment and global trade policies? Think again—it may also refer to community-centered ensemble music education.

The Learning behind NEO-Learning

02-03-2021

In the semi-remote town of Roebourne in the Pilbara region of the Western Australian Desert, the lack of attainment of Aboriginal young people in the Western education system does not reflect their place-based cultural literacies, which completely outstrip their city-based counterparts from Australia’s most successful schools, suburbs, and socio-economic cultures. They are so advanced and so advantaged in many Indigenous knowledge banks—over which their families and Elders are custodians—that they revel, often unknowingly (or the knowing is suppressed) in a unique cultural advantage.

Bringing Jazz into the Mix in Orquestra Geração, Sistema Portugal

02-03-2021

The slogan of Orquestra Geração suggests something deeper than just playing music. The idea of touching lives (in Portuguese, “tocamos” means “we play/we touch”) asserts that we can positively transform the lives of children and young people through music, giving them a feeling of unlimited potential. What I didn’t know before teaching in this program was that the slogan would apply to me as well, and that my life would be so intensely touched and transformed.

Breaking Down Barriers with Technology: Facilitating Multilingual Meetings

02-03-2021

Last year, we Ambassadors usually met every other weekend over Zoom and communicated solely in English. However, when we learned that one of our new members did not speak English fluently, we set out to ensure that no one would feel excluded when we spoke.

El Sistema Academy Happening Online, January 30 and 31—deadline Jan. 27

01-20-2021

The fifth annual El Sistema Academy will happen online on January 30 and 31 and is free to all. El Sistema educators and colleagues across the globe will convene to discuss this year’s theme, “Motivation”—motivating students, teams, audiences, and more. Registration closes on January 27. Use this Google Form to register for this year’s session, and learn more about last year’s Academy in this 2019 World Ensemble post.

Music as a Global Resource Shares 2020 Compendium

01-20-2021

Here is a chance to better understand the global context within which our programs grow. The 2020 Compendium of Music as a Global Resource: Solutions for Cultural, Social, Health, Educational, Environmental, and Economic Issues profiles 109 projects from 54 countries, linking them to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. In addition to providing key insights into programs around the world, the Compendium affirms the size, ambition, and effectiveness of our wide movement. Read the Compendium on their website to expand your perspective and discover the ways in which music learning fits into the UN’s vision of sustainability.

Actos de Confianza Relief Funding from NALAC and Mellon

01-20-2021

The National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures (NALAC) and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation want to support Latinx artists and arts organizations across the United States and Puerto Rico that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19. Their Actos de Confianza relief grants provide emergency funds to these organizations, one geographical region at a time. The first calls are for programs in mid-America, moving then to the East and West Coasts. The funding cycle will take place between January and May 2021. If your organization qualifies, be sure to review the application information on their website. In addition to listing all relevant deadlines, it includes information on which states qualify for which regions.

Global Leaders Program Hosting Free Virtual Conference on the Arts and Urban Development

01-20-2021

The Global Leaders Program is hosting a free virtual conference called “Sound Cities: Community Music Ecosystems” as part of its (Re)Setting the Stage series. Kicking off on January 18, the conference brings together interesting perspectives from city planners, music entrepreneurs, and cultural agency workers, who will discuss the roles they play in communities all over the world. Specifically, the conference explores how the arts have had a significant impact on urban development. There are sessions on January 20, January 27, and February 4, focusing on different countries and the impacts of their artistic communities. Check out their Zoom registration page to learn more, including how to sign up.

Songs for Europe Offers Tools for Music Performance and Teaching

01-20-2021

Songs for Europe is a new web tool for musical pedagogy practice and teacher training, using technology to assess the effectiveness of choral instruction and orchestral studies. Its performance evaluation tool can measure student attentiveness, performance, and engagement levels to maximize teaching impact. Teaching artists from Austria, Greece, Slovakia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina are participating in the initiative by implementing these tools in their work. Results and outcomes are made public in an archived online library; check out the methodology and library on their website.

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