Barquisimeto #1

We are based in Barquisimeto for the next seven days of our trip. Most activity is centred around the Vicente Emilio Sojo Conservatory, whilst we have the opportunity in the afternoon to visit some of the 10 nucleos in the wider city. We are met by Gary Nunez and Alfredo D’Addona who are both trumpet players in Simon Bolivar A, the first generation of the orchestra originally formed and conducted by Maestro Abreu. Gary supervises the curriculum for Lara state and Alfredo is the director of all the nucleos in Lara. The Conservatory was built 20 years ago by the government, with the building also being host to an El Sistema nucleo – 3000 kids coming from all nucleos in Lara. The Conservatory and nucleo often work together on concerts and programs.

Also taking advantage of the facilities here is the Lara Symphony Orchestra, a professional organisation that is not part of El Sistema, and rehearses every morning at the conservatory. It is made up of many of the teachers from the nucleos. This is mirrored by the professional choir, the Camarate Larense, which is made up of children’s choir directors and vocal technique coaches who also work in the nucleos.

A well-known part of the nucleo's activities, the Special Needs Department are pioneers in making music-making accessible to all; those with learning difficulties, physical and mental disabilities, sight and hearing problems. There are also doctors on site who attend to the students needs, and one who is an ear specialist. We were treated to a presentation of the department´s activities later on in the week.

The conservatory has great pride in its most famous pupil; Gustavo Dudamel. This mural is painted along the wall opposite the conservatory, and the new concert hall that will be built here will be named after him. Dudamel studied violin here from the age of 14 with the branch of the Violin Academy onsite, which includes more teachers from the first generation of the Simon Bolivar Orchestra.

My questions about the nature of training provided by the Conservatory were answered by one student called Jesús Alejandro. He has studied here for 8 years and still has a year and a half to go! His musical journey began by learning the cuatro outside of El Sistema, and then joining the Cabudare nucleo at 16 to learn the violin. His further training shows a great interdisciplinary approach to musical studies: advanced violin studies, music theory, composition, conducting, psychology of education and sociology, research methods, child development, teacher training and mentoring, and practical teaching experience at the Incret nucleo for the last two and a half years.

I was also struck by how he described El Sistema as a “system of sharing”. All members are engaged in discovering their musical identity in a mixture of different roles, which has been described by previous fellows as CATS (Citizen, Artist, Teacher, Scholar), and there is a humility, openness and sort of educational democracy in being aware that all members have something to teach another. For example, Alfredo (director of all Lara nucleos) continues to study in classes with Jesús, learning more about instrumental technique. This is such a refreshing and challenging way of seeing ourselves as musicians.