On February 11, 2009, I posted this year's TED Conference speech by Bill Gates which I highly recommend. But far and away my favorite speech from TED 2009 was the speech by TED Prize winner, Jose Abreu, whose wish is to bring music to kids worldwide. From TED.com, here's why you should listen to Mr. Abreu:
Why you should listen to him:
The
gulf between the rich and the poor in Venezuela is one of the worst in
the world. Jose Antonio Abreu, an economist, musician, and reformer, founded El Sistema ("the system") in 1975 to help Venezuelan kids take part in classical music.
After 30 years (and 10 political administrations), El Sistema is a
nationwide organization of 102 youth orchestras, 55 children's
orchestras, and 270 music centers -- and close to 250,000 young
musicians.
El Sistema uses music education to help kids from impoverished circumstances achieve their full potential and learn values that favor their growth. The talented musicians have become a source of national pride. Several El Sistema students have gone on to major international careers, including Gustavo Dudamel, soon to be the music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the bassist Edicson Ruiz, who at 17 became the youngest musician ever to join the Berlin Philharmonic.
El Sistema uses music education to help kids from impoverished circumstances achieve their full potential and learn values that favor their growth. The talented musicians have become a source of national pride. Several El Sistema students have gone on to major international careers, including Gustavo Dudamel, soon to be the music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the bassist Edicson Ruiz, who at 17 became the youngest musician ever to join the Berlin Philharmonic.
Mr. Abreu's TED speech is below. Just click on the image to start the video. After you have heard his speech, you must watch the video below Mr. Abreu which shows Gustavo Dudamel conducting a very large Venezuelan youth orchestra. It is amazing!
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