Objectives & Activities

The System performs a preventative function in that it helps young people to stay away from drug abuse, prostitution, alcoholism, indifference, crime, bad company, and corruption. The reason is that participating in the orchestral movement is an inexhaustible source of personal development directed toward the fulfillment of both personal and collective goals. The child, when discovering the joys of practicing a musical instrument and getting an inkling of the possibilities that the orchestra can offer him or her, begins to aspire towards a better economical and social situation for his or her family and relatives. This represents the will to improve the conditions for all, as well as to improve the condition of oneself.
– Jose Antonio Abreu, founder of El Sistema

The objectives of KidZNotes are:

To encourage children’s participation in music training and to improve their musical performance abilities.
To foster the development of children’s social behavior and values that contribute to success at school and in society.
To support the development of children’s school readiness and academic achievement.
To encourage children’s positive decision-making.
To promote parents’ engagement in program and community activities.

In the pilot project, the activities of KidZNotes will include the following components:

KidZNotes instructional sessions: to fully engage children in the program, there will be 3-4 sessions weekly by instructors trained in the El Sistema methodology and approach;
Informal and formal performances: to encourage children to become comfortable in front of audiences and to build group solidarity, they will be given frequent opportunities to perform in ensembles and larger groups: informally, for each other, for parents, for visitors, and formally, for scheduled audiences in the community and beyond.
Field trips, visits by performing artists, other music-related activities: to foster children’s awareness and appreciation of the larger music community and its possibilities, and to foster pride in their own accomplishments, they will be taken on field trips to concerts (symphony, chamber music, festivals, schools) and other music-related venues (museums, workshops, instrument-making and repair shops), will host performing artists in special sessions, and will watch DVD’s of El Sistema-inspired groups and others in performance.
Parent outreach: to engage parents and other family members in the KidZNotes program and in the goal of building community, they will be invited to attend sessions and performances, accompany children on field trips, meet with program staff, and even volunteer in the program.