This is a great example of someone doing it right. Wish I could have been in LA for this.
First, if you don’t know what El Sistema is, watch the video.
Okay, so now imagine how this concept, all the good will and constructive energy, could be expanded.
And then the reporter said: “You are in America now, what Americans?” Dudamel didn’t miss a beat and shot back ”I am talking about Americans!” — to which the room packed with journalists erupted in laughter and clapping.
That Latin America is indeed part of America is something that Dudamel brings up often, but always with good humor and patience. At his news conference he reiterated that America is one — Argentina, Venezuela, Mexico, the United States, all included. That message is likely to resound in Los Angeles, a city that is half Hispanic and home to millions who migrated from southern portions of the Americas.
I get chills when I watch this TED Talk (WordPress is not letting me embed the video for some reason so follow the link; GD begins talk at about 5:20). The youth orchestra concept is powerful, wouldn’t it be cool if someone could get this together on a larger international scale? Anyone out there with more brains and bucks than me to work on such a project?
