Social Justice

 
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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In Overlooked Spaces, Art and Dignity Flourish

David Norville, Director of Development and Communications, Project: Music Heals Us

07-08-2026

In the winter of 2013, Project: Music Heals Us Founder Molly Carr shattered a glass bowl into her left hand on the eve of her concert tour, halting her performing career. In the months that followed, she enrolled in a nursing aide course through the American Red Cross and was assigned to work with Ruth, a late-stage Alzheimer’s patient who, staff warned her, hadn’t spoken in years. The advice she received was practical: get in, get the job done, harden yourself to the screams, and get out.

She knew that the care and attention all people need required something more. So she sat down, held Ruth’s hand in silence, and Ruth, the woman who had not spoken in years, turned and began speaking in complete sentences.

Molly came back every day of that residency. On the last day, she promised Ruth that she would return, and bring her viola next time.

Calling All U.S. Artist-Activists

11-05-2025

We’ve seen throughout history how the arts can speak louder than words, particularly in places where civil rights are under attack.

Beyond Music Releases Fourth Album of Songs for Social Change

09-03-2025

Beyond Music, a global organization uniting musicians from all cultural backgrounds through collaborative projects, just released their fourth volume of songs for social change.

Essaouira World Music Festival Promotes Human Rights

06-04-2025

On June 19–21, the annual Essaouira Gnaoua and World Music Festival in Morocco will return with a diverse program of live music and events that promote human rights.

The El Sistema USA 2025 West Coast Regional Gathering

Patrick Scafidi, Executive Editor, The Ensemble

05-07-2025

At events like these, it’s easy to think about the word “community” as the people in the room. But El Sistema USA’s nifty trick was to upend that idea. Rather than celebrate our professional community—the connections we form with colleagues—the ESUSA leadership team explored the ties that bind us to larger, more diverse communities—of families, of activists, of scientists, of lawmakers, and of the folks that lawmakers tend to ignore.

Nominations Open for the Wilmers Integrity Prize

03-05-2025

Do you know someone living in the U.S. doing outstanding work in the fields of the arts, culture, education, or social justice?

AIM Performance Videos Challenge the Status Quo

02-05-2025

The Academy for Impact through Music‘s performance videos invite teaching artists to challenge the status quo in rehearsal and concert formats.

Learning Leadership at The Lewis Prize for Music
A Conversation with Nadia Johnson and Raiyasha Paris

The Lewis Prize for Music and The Ensemble

10-02-2024

The Lewis Prize for Music (TLPM) has supported our field over the past five years by granting significant awards to programs across the U.S. In addition, TLPM sometimes brings students from the programs they support into the organization’s leadership development projects.

TLPM recently brought two of these young leaders into conversation about the impact these professional experiences have had on their learning and their lives.

Encourage Young People to Join Peer Discussions on Social Justice

03-17-2021

Do you have young people in your program, in the U.S. or any other country, who would like to engage with peers (ages 16–24) in open conversations?

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