Music is a powerful medium that can be used to bring about change in our society, by transforming the lives of children as they engage in the process of learning. It is my desire to be a catalyst and active channel for this social metamorphosis through the arts. I therefore consider myself blessed, and am humbled and honored to be a Sistema Fellow, studying at the New England Conservatory of Music (Boston, USA).
The Sistema Fellowship is a programme that studies the model of El Sistema, a successful Veneuzelen movement, which uses music as a vehicle for social change. I am, however, learning that El Sistema is so much more than what we perceive it to be at face value. It is about caring enough to seek out the need in a community or life of a child, and then doing everything you can to meet that need. It is about building and being part of a network of people who understand the value of art being a crucial part of society, and who realize its social capabilities. The power of music, and its ability to bring young people together to work towards a common goal, greater than themselves cannot be accurately measured or placed into a neat "Ten steps to happiness" box - because the true transformation is not tangible. The fruit of the transformation can be measured, but not the transformation itself. This dynamic change occurs in the mind and heart of a child, when he or she finally realizes the potential and possibility that their lives hold. When a child gives him or herself the permission to dream further than their current existence and circumstances. When a child realizes that they have worth, have an important role to play, and that what they uniquely have to offer has intrinsic value. This is the life-changing paradigm shift that enables one to walk boldly into his or her purpose and dream...this is actually what dreams are made of.
Fundamental threads, that run through and join every El Sistema-inspired nucleo, provide a space and platform for this exchange and tender re-construction to occur. This consists of social change through musical excellence, the ensemble work as central to the experience, frequency of coming together multiple times a week to rehearse, the connectivity of the network of services and opportunities for students, and the accessibility of the programme to all - where it does not matter what race, creed, religion or social and financial background you hail from (To expand on this, see http://jonathangovias.com/el-sistema/blog-directory/). These threads are the foundation of every nucleo, but form only the outer framework of each masterpiece of social reform. Every tapestry is different, because every community is different and has different needs - this is the beauty of El Sistema. It is a movement more than a programme, a philosophy more than a teaching method. It becomes a way of life, and more than just an alternative to crime, drugs, gang violence and all the other disheartening perils that our communities deal with daily.
I believe that the educators and organizers who work so hard and tirelessly to give their best deserve the real standing ovation. It is through their willingness and capacity to build healthy relationships with the children they teach and share with, that give the process its true power. In this deliciously well-prepared curry, all the ingredients are crucial: we have the pot (framework and philosophy), the rice (teaching and learning), the source and meat (rehearsing and making music together) and then most importantly, you have the salt and spice. It's the teachers that give the spice and flavor to this nourishing curry- for a curry would not be a curry if not for its spice!
Again and again, I become aware of the stark need in our society for change - our society is 'broken', our communities are 'broken', our homes and families are 'broken'...and subsequently our children are 'broken'. I am therefore compelled to act, to give myself permission to feel enough compassion to be part of this needed transformation - in whichever form or capacity. I am excited about this mind-opening and intriguing journey that I have just begun to embark on - it feels like I am living life 'wide-open', becoming unafraid as the need becomes greater than the fear of failure, realizing that I have a precious and beautiful gift to give: I can give hope and a sense of purpose to a disillusioned child, even in the face of adversity.
"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom". Anais Nin
