Argentina
Programa Coros y Orquestas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires
This program offers free musical instruccion to over 10 000 young music students in the province of Buenos Aires, their mission is to create a more inclusive space and to provide access to music education for all through choirs, youth orchestras, tango orchestras, bands, and others ensemble settings.
Peru
Eco Acordes
Located in the city of Iquitos in the Peruvian Amazon, Eco Acordes seeks to provide educational opportunities within areas of the Amazon that are extremely difficult to reach. In this particular area, there are no road systems in place, leaving residents and visitors solely dependent on water transportation. Many of these areas in the Amazon don’t have access to a quality education which includes art and culture, and that is where Eco Acordes steps in. Their program “Education in Music and Life” promotes youth music education, music teacher’s training, and the formation of musical ensembles in this particularly secluded region of the Amazon.
Los Violines de San Juan
San Juan de Miraflores started as one of Lima’s “Pueblos Jóvenes”, which translates to young towns. It arose from a desert area settled by massive numbers of Peruvians who were fleeing from the highlands to escape terrorism. Many of its residents lack basic necessities such as running water and plumbing, and San Juan de Miraflores is considered today to be one of the most dangerous districts in Lima.
Los Violines de San Juan was founded in 2012 by Peruvian violinist, Jesus Peralta, who provides free group violin lessons to young students in the area. They meet every Saturday, and many of these students are willing to walk for hours to get to their weekly rehearsal. Both Mr. Peralta and his students put in an admirable effort.
Bolivia
Orquesta Misional de Santiago de Chiquitos
Located in the department of Santa Cruz, Santiago de Chiquitos is a town of only 2,000 people. This town has a long musical tradition that dates back to the 16th Century during the Spanish Jesuit Missions. The town of Chiquitos is home to many anonymous baroque composers and compositions, many of which are performed by these orchestra members. The Orchestra Misional de Chiquitos was founded in 2004 by SICOR (Sistema de Coros y Orquestas).
Conservatorio Plurinacional de Musica
Located in La Paz, Bolivia, Conservatorio Plurinacional de Música was founded in 1906 by pianist and singer Emilia L’Houmeau des Essarts de Radbil. It is the oldest institution of its kind in Bolivia, and it seeks to provide high quality music education for students around the country. Musicians For the World is providing them with weekly masterclasses. Some of their students and teachers have been selected to perform in our Masterclass Series.
Suriname
Muziekschool Bellas Artes Suriname
Suriname is a country on the northeastern Atlantic coast of South America. It is the smallest sovereign state in South America, and has a population of approximately half a million people. Muziekschool is a branch of the Foundation Bellas Artes Suriname, and it is one of the music organizations that promote music education in Suriname’s capital, Paramaribo. MBA seeks to embrace the community through music instruction, while making every effort to keep music education alive in their community.